HR0734

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, United States Department of Health and Human 
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Services Secretary, Michael Leavitt, announced that Provena 
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St. Mary's Hospital (PSMH) is one of ten nationwide winners of 
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the Third Annual Innovation in Prevention Awards for its 
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Wellness Center for Special Needs Fitness Program (Wellness 
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Center), which is dedicated to providing fitness and general 
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inclusion activities for the mentally and physically 
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challenged; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Innovation in Prevention Awards were created 
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as part of President Bush's HealthierUS Initiative and the 
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United States Department of Health and Human Services' 
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continuing focus on preventing chronic disease and improving 
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the lives of Americans; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The awards highlight businesses and organizations 
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that are leading efforts to promote healthier lifestyles in 
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seven different areas; the PSMH Wellness Center was honored in 
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the faith-based and community-based initiatives category; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Based in Kankakee, PSMH's Wellness Center works to 
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provide physical activity for individuals with special needs to 
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reduce their risk of heart disease, diabetes, and falls, as 
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well as their dependence on others; participants meet with an 
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instructor in groups of six to fifteen twice a week for 
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forty-five minutes of fitness instruction, including 
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cardiovascular exercise and strength training; workouts in the 
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program are kept as structured as possible in order to chart 
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individual development and ensure full body involvement; and

 
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    WHEREAS, According to Secretary Leavitt, "Provena St. 
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Mary's Wellness Center Special Needs Fitness Program addresses 
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the important need to provide physical activities for 
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individuals with special needs, a population that is often 
 


 






HR0734
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underserved"; Secretary Leavitt also found the  Wellness Center 
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to be an example of how persons with mental and physical 
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disabilities can be encouraged to lead healthy lives; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Wellness Center is part of PSMH's mission to 
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compassionately respond to human need by providing fitness 
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opportunities and community inclusion to those otherwise not 
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served; PSMH has maintained the Wellness Center for the past 
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five years and has helped enrich the lives of its participants 
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and PSMH's members and staff;  PSMH members and staff hope that 
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the success of the Wellness Center continues to grow so that 
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its benefits can be offered to more individuals who need 
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additional health activities in their life; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
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we congratulate Provena St. Mary's Hospital on winning an 
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Innovation in Prevention Award for its Wellness Center for 
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Special Needs Fitness Program; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to Provena St. Mary's Hospital as an expression of 
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our respect and esteem.