Sen. Feinstein e-mails on PA!

12-17-09: Check out this e-mail letter from Senator Diane Feinstein on a PA bill I commented on to her:
Dear Dr. Medina:

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for the "Physical Activity Guidelines for America Act of 2009." I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.

With the growing prevalence of diabetes, obesity and other chronic conditions, I agree that immediate action is needed to address the roots of our nation's increasing obesity rate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of young people who are overweight has more than tripled since 1980. Among children and teens aged six to nineteen years, 18 percent (over nine million young people) are considered overweight. Eating and exercise habits formed during childhood can have lifelong effects. Obesity has been shown to cause numerous health problems and can make existing health conditions difficult to treat. I strongly believe that it is important to increase awareness about obesity and educate the public about proper nutrition and the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle.

On October 20, 2009, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced the "Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Act" (S. 1810). This legislation would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to prepare and promote physical activity guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence, which would be updated every five years. These guidelines would be for children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities, and would ensure that all Americans understand how much exercise they should be getting.

Currently, S. 1810 is pending in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. While I am not a member of that Committee, please know that I will keep your comments in mind should this legislation come before the full Senate for consideration.

Again, thank you for contacting me. If you should have any further comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.

Also, may I take this opportunity to wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. And may 2010 be a good year for us all.

Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator


Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the Nation are available at my website http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/. You can also receive electronic e-mail updates by subscribing to my e-mail list at http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ENewsletterSignup.Signup.