NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Accidental drownings are one of the leading causes of death for children. New Jersey Congressman Donald Norcross introduced a resolution to raise awareness and ensure every kid learns how to swim.
Norcross is the co-author of the resolution that would designate the fourth Sunday in June as the start of National Learn to Swim Week.
He said swimming and enjoying time in the water is one of his favorite things to do, and he hopes the initiative will draw attention to the thousands of children who die from drowning each year.
“Unfortunately, so many children around the country don’t know how to swim. So many adults don’t know how to swim. It is literally a life-saving course you can take to change your lives,” he said.
The resolution calls for schools, youth organizations and government agencies to promote swim lessons and water safety.
“Turn it from a fear into one of the leading causes of having fun in the summer,” Norcross said. “My future vision is that every child, as part of graduating from high school, will learn to swim. I think it is literally that important.”
The National Institutes of Health said swimming lessons can reduce a child’s risk of drowning by 88%.
