HOUSE MEMORIAL 50

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Anna M. Crook

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THE CHILDREN OF NEW MEXICO BY BANNING JUNK FOOD FROM THE ROUNDHOUSE.

     WHEREAS, we are now learning that the candy bars, potato chips, corn chips, granola bars, chocolate-covered peanuts and other tasty snacks we love can be as bad for a person as smoking cigarettes; and

     WHEREAS, childhood obesity and diabetes in children and adults have become major public health concerns in this state; and

     WHEREAS, the growing incidence of obesity and diabetes leads to higher health care costs, higher medicaid and medicare expenditures, the need for costly dental work, reduced worker productivity and a decreased interest in getting up off the couch; and

     WHEREAS, in 2001, our own United States surgeon general told us that obesity may soon cause as much preventable disease and death as cigarette smoking; and

     WHEREAS, in order to help nip these public health problems in the bud, the state wants to ban the sale of junk foods in public schools and replace bad snack items with healthier choices; and

     WHEREAS, it seems only appropriate that the members of the house should want to serve as positive role models for the youth of our state;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the sale and consumption of junk food be banned in the roundhouse and that those items be removed from vending machines and coffee shops; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any junk food found in the possession of a member of the house of representatives be immediately confiscated by the nearest state police officer; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a member of the house shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100) for first-time possession of an unhealthy snack item and shall be required to perform community service by speaking to children about the evils of junk food; and shall be fined two hundred dollars ($200) for a second offense and required to participate in a junk food rehabilitation program; and, finally, shall be fined five hundred dollars ($500) for a third offense and placed on the junk food offender registration list for the rest of the member's life.

- 3 -