The Daily Citizen, Dalton, GA

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April 28, 2009

Perdue signs student health and physical education act

Submitted by the governor's office

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today signed into law HB 229, the Student Health and Physical Education Act. He signed the bill at Glen Haven Elementary School in Decatur. The Governor was joined by Atlanta Falcons players Matt Ryan, Erik Coleman and Brian Finneran and the Atlanta Dream’s Chantelle Anderson.

“A big part of getting better in anything – a class, your personal fitness, a sport – is knowing how you measure up and what you need to improve on,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “This legislation will help students live healthier lives.”

With the signing of HB 229 students in a physical education course will receive an annual fitness assessment. Beginning in 2012, each year the State Board of Education will submit a report to the Governor detailing the compliance of each school system and school.

“Instilling the importance of physical fitness at a young age will improve the quality of life for children for years to come,” said Brooks Coleman, House Education Chairman. “This important piece of legislation will encourage all parents, students, and educators to take a serious look at health education being taught in their school systems.”

"The American Heart Association is very pleased that Governor Perdue and the majority of the state legislature are willing to address the alarming problem of childhood obesity in Georgia,” said Bill Burns, Georgia Advocacy Director for the American Heart Association. “We applaud the enactment of this important legislation. It’s an excellent first step towards allowing the Department of Education to make informed policy and curricula decisions when it comes to our children's physical well-being."

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Education