Bill Text: NJ AR147 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Memorializes Congress and President to enact "Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act" in order to provide federal grants for urban parks and recreational facilities and certain related programs.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-05-05 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee [AR147 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-AR147-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Memorializes Congress and President to enact "Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act" in order to provide federal grants for urban parks and recreational facilities and certain related programs.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution memorializing the Congress and President of the United States to enact H.R.709, the "Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act," which would provide federal grants for urban parks and recreational facilities and certain related programs.
Whereas, According to the United States Census, 79 percent of the population of the United States lives in urban areas; and
Whereas, The quality of life in urban areas is closely related to the availability of fully functional park and recreation systems, including land, facilities, and programs; and
Whereas, Urban communities are often challenged by high rates of obesity, limited green space, juvenile delinquency, and deteriorating community infrastructure; and
Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over the last 25 years, rates of obesity have more than tripled among adolescents ages 12 to 19 and doubled among adults ages 20 to 74 and children ages 6 to 11; and
Whereas, The sharp increase in obesity rates is in large part attributable to insufficient levels of physical activity; and
Whereas, Urban parks and recreation facilities play key roles in improving the health of their communities by providing convenient access to the places and opportunities that lead to increased physical activity; and
Whereas, Urban parks provide communities with additional and often otherwise scarce green spaces that contribute to reduced storm water runoff, enhanced groundwater recharge, reduction of urban heat island effects, and reduced energy demands; and
Whereas, Access to parks and recreation opportunities has been strongly linked to reductions in crime and reduced juvenile delinquency; and
Whereas, Inadequate federal financing of urban parks and recreation programs has led to the deterioration of facilities, nonavailability of recreation services, and an inability to adapt recreation programs to changing circumstances; and
Whereas, United States Congressman from the 13th Congressional district of New Jersey, Albio Sires, has sponsored H.R.709, the "Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act," now pending before Congress, which would provide federal grants to urban areas for the rehabilitation and new construction of critically needed recreational areas and facilities, and programs related thereto; and
Whereas, Funding made available through H.R.709 would favor projects and programs that provide constructive recreational alternatives to youth at risk of engaging in criminal behavior; and
Whereas, H.R.709 would promote positive environmental stewardship by prioritizing grant monies toward projects and programs with environmentally beneficial components; and
Whereas, Projects and programs made possible by H.R.709 would not only lead to improvements in public health, but would revitalize communities through job creation and economic growth; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully memorializes the Congress of the United States to pass, and the President to sign into law, H.R.709, the "Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act," which would authorize the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish and carry out an urban revitalization and livable communities program to provide federal grants for the rehabilitation and construction of critically needed recreational areas and facilities and development of improved recreation programs in urban areas.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and every member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution would memorialize the Congress of the United States to pass, and the President to sign into law, H.R.709, the "Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act," which would authorize the Secretary of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development to establish and carry out an urban revitalization and livable communities program to provide federal grants for the rehabilitation and construction of critically needed recreational areas and facilities and development of improved recreation programs in urban areas.
