As a volunteer for the American Heart Association, I support meaningful physical education in our high schools. Please consider retaining the full 1.5 credit of physical education and keep health curriculum as a 1 credit requirement into the minimum and distinguished graduation tracks.

Reversing these alarming obesity rates will not occur overnight but by continuing to raise the awareness of nutrition, healthy eating habits, and increased physical education, Texas can work towards reducing the number of obese children.

As you and your staff develop regulations to implement the physical education and health components of House Bill 3 I ask that you take into consideration the significant financial and health impact these decisions will ultimately have on our children.

I urge you to do everything in your power to keep Health as a required course for all Texas students and retain the .5 credit for physical education that was lost in HB 3.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Heart Disease and Stroke. You're the Cure.