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This section captures a floor statement or debate entry. It mentions legislation such as Expressing support for the annual designation of the first Saturday after the Spring Equinox as "National Day of Play"..
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March 22, 2026
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Download official Senate Record PDFReturn to issue contextSUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
THE FIRST SATURDAY AFTER THE SPRING EQUINOX AS “NATIONAL DAY OF PLAY”
Mr. RICKETTS (for himself, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Cornyn, Ms. Lummis, Mr. Daines, Mr. Risch, and Mrs. Britt) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 655
Whereas the Surgeon General has formally declared an
epidemic of loneliness and social isolation, highlighting
health impacts such as higher risk for anxiety, depression,
heart disease, dementia, and a shorter life span;
Whereas people are spending less time with family and
friends and are less involved in their communities;
Whereas a 2022 study found that families spend a
significant portion of shared physical spaces in alone-
together time, meaning individuals are present but engaged in
their own activities such as using devices;
Whereas studies suggest that 21 percent of adults in the
United States feel lonely;
Whereas only about 1 in 3 adults receives the recommended
amount of physical activity each week, with less than 5
percent participating in 30 minutes of activity each day;
Whereas community-focused events, shared activities that
require collaboration, and acts of service for the common
good can bring a community together and promote social
connection;
Whereas social connectedness reflects the continuum of
meeting social connection needs;
Whereas social connection can help reduce the risk of
chronic disease and serious illness;
Whereas social connection can improve the ability to manage
stress, anxiety, and depression;
Whereas social connection encourages healthy eating habits
and physical activity;
Whereas important communities such as neighborhoods,
schools, places of worship, workplaces, and parks and
recreation centers offer social connections;
Whereas play can be defined as an activity that is self-
chosen, intrinsically motivated, and conducted in an active,
but relatively non-stressed, frame of mind;
Whereas play is fundamentally connected to social
connection as it provides space to develop and practice
essential social skills such as communication, cooperation,
empathy, and negotiation;
Whereas play promotes brain development, executive function
skills, stress reduction, creativity, and problem-solving
skills while also strengthening relationships and fostering
healthy social-emotional growth;
Whereas play is a proven stress reliever for both children
and adults, promoting overall well-being;
Whereas play reduces obesity and associated diseases;
Whereas children today spend up to 35 percent less time
playing freely outdoors due to a combination of factors,
including increased screen time;
Whereas excessive device use has detrimental physical and
mental health impacts;
Whereas long-term consequences of excessive device use
include impaired social development and cognitive function,
particularly in children;
Whereas excessive device use can foster an absent presence,
where individuals are physically together but mentally
disengaged, leading to reduced quality in face-to-face
interactions and increased feelings of social isolation;
Whereas taking a break from electronics and screen time can
provide significant physical, mental, and social benefits;
Whereas a National Day of Play advocates for and celebrates
the essential role of play and social connections;
Whereas a National Day of Play encourages individuals to
put down their devices and participate in community organized
events;
Whereas a National Day of Play strengthens community bonds
and encourages a national focus on creating safe and healthy
environments for all;
Whereas the Spring Equinox represents the official start of
spring in the Northern Hemisphere, signifying rebirth,
renewal, and balance;
Whereas the Spring Equinox marks the time when days begin
to get longer; and
Whereas March 21, 2026, is the first Saturday after the
Spring Equinox: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) designates March 21, 2026, as “National Day of Play”;
(2) expresses support for the annual designation of the
first Saturday after the Spring Equinox as “National Day of
Play”;
(3) recognizes the importance of social connection for
mental, physical, and social development; and
(4) encourages people to put their electronics down and
play.