Office of the Mayor

Proclamation

Lawrence, Kansas

WHEREAS:   Regular physical activity is one of the most important things that people of all ages can do to improve their health ; and walking is one of the most accessible and common ways to obtain exercise; and

WHEREAS:   Successful Safe Routes to School initiatives been shown to create tighter-knit communities, safer streets; decreased traffic and less air pollution; and

WHEREAS:   Students who walk and bike to school are more likely stay healthy, are less likely to miss school; and perform better academically; and

WHEREAS: The City of Lawrence, Lawrence Public Schools, the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization, Lawrence Parks and Recreation and other Be Active Safe Routes Partners are actively supporting efforts of schools to promote awareness of the need for improved community design, policies and programs that encourage physical activity through active transportation;

WHEREAS:   Children, parents and community leaders around the world are joining together to improve walking and bicycling conditions in their communities and to promote walking to school;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mike Amyx, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, does hereby proclaim Wednesday, October 7, 2015 as

“walk to school day”

in the City of Lawrence and encourage everyone to consider the safety and health of all children, including those who are walking to school, regardless of their family background, place of residence, abilities, or socioeconomic status, not only on Walk to School Day, but throughout the entire year.

                                                          Mike Amyx, Mayor

October 6, 2015