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News Release

STATEMENT BY TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Regarding The Longest Day of Play

This week, many children across America are counting down the last days of school to the start of summer vacation and all the fun that comes with it. In fact, June 21 is the Summer Solstice, the official start of summer and the longest day of the year. To mark this special time, our friends and partners of the VERB: It's What You Do campaign are encouraging children and young teens to get on the move during the Summer Solstice -- The Longest Day of Play!

Too many of America's children are physically inactive and are now suffering the consequence of overweight and obesity at epidemic proportions. Children today are twice as likely to be overweight than they were in 1980. For teenagers, the trend is even worse. Adolescents are three times as likely to be overweight today than they were in 1980.

This harsh reality is the reason behind VERB, the department's nationwide initiative to encourage children to become physically active and engaged in their communities. To date, the VERB campaign has touched the lives of more than 4 million children and parents. We can reach even more by pledging to play all day on June 21.

The Longest Day of Play serves as the perfect beginning to a more fun-filled, active lifestyle. Use the extended daylight hours to your advantage by packing in a friendly game of basketball, football, volleyball or soccer. Fill the minutes with dancing, singing, rollerblading, biking or skateboarding.

The Longest Day of Play also serves as a reminder that every day -- all 365 days of the year -- can be a day filled with laughter, physical activity, sportsmanship, games and activities that bring you closer to your family, friends and neighbors.

Most importantly, The Longest Day of Play is about finding something healthy and active you love to do and sticking with it. Discover more about yourself, your hopes and dreams by trying a new activity every month. Share what you learn with family and friends and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you are becoming a more active, well-rounded individual.

So pick a verb -- any verb -- and let the games begin!

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last Revised: June 20, 2003