LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 30, 2013, as Healthy Schools Day in the State of New
York, and the week of April 29 -- May 3, 2013, as School Building Week
in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The purpose of School Building Week is to celebrate and high-
light high-performing, healthy, safe and sustainable school facilities;
and
WHEREAS, Children spend up to half of their daytime in schools and
their environs; and
WHEREAS, Children eat more food, drink more water, and breathe more
air relative to their size than adults do, and consequently, may be
exposed to relatively higher amounts of contaminants; and
WHEREAS, Environmental contaminants can affect children quite differ-
ently than adults, because children may be more highly exposed to
contaminants due to being more vulnerable to the toxic effects of
contaminants, and also because environmental contaminants can affect
children disproportionately because their immune defenses are not fully
developed and their growing organs are more easily harmed; and
WHEREAS, Healthy schools are designed to reduce energy and maintenance
costs, while providing cleaner air, improved lighting, reduced exposures
to toxic substances, materials and supplies, thereby providing a heal-
thier and safer learning environment for children, fostering achievement
and well-being; and
WHEREAS, As centers of the community, our schools are the building
blocks of our communities and the keystone of our future; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body has been a consistent and powerful
advocate for the protection of our children in the school environment;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 30, 2013, as
Healthy Schools Day in the State of New York, and the week of April 29
-- May 3, 2013, as School Building Week in the State of New York.