093_HJ0032
LRB093 11437 KEF 14246 r
1 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The improper use of backpacks has a destructive
3 impact on the posture and spinal health of children; and
4 WHEREAS, 55% of students carry more than the recommended
5 national guidelines or 10.15% of body weight; and 66% of
6 school nurses report seeing students with pain or injury
7 attributed to carrying backpacks; and
8 WHEREAS, Up to 60% of children will experience back pain
9 by the time they reach 18 years of age; and
10 WHEREAS, The American Academy of Orthopedics stated that
11 backpack injury is a significant problem for children with
12 58% having seen patients complaining of back pain related to
13 backpacks; and
14 WHEREAS, Doctors of Chiropractic are the health
15 professionals best qualified to detect and correct the
16 structural distortions caused by improper backpack use; and
17 WHEREAS, The Congress of Chiropractic State Associations
18 has designed a National Backpack Safety program to educate
19 school nurses, teachers, parents, school administrators,
20 healthcare providers and students about backpack injury and
21 ways to prevent it; therefore, be it
22 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
23 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
24 SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the month of
25 April in 2003 and in each succeeding year as Backpack Safety
26 Month in the State of Illinois; and be it further
27 RESOLVED, That the General Assembly urge the schools in
28 the State of Illinois to participate in programs offered to
29 them during Backpack Safety Month to educate youth about the
30 risk of spinal injury caused by improper backpack use and
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1 design; and be it further
2 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the
3 State Board of Education.