[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] we are live on capitol hill this morning for a discussion on concussions in youth sports. Parents and medical experts will be testifying this morning before the house energy and commerce subcommittee on oversight and investigations. Talking about Research Efforts and whats being done to protect Young Athletes from injury. This is live coverage on cspan2. It should start in just a moment or two. [inaudible conversations]. [inaudible conversations] tight schedule on tights. Were here on committees ongoing examination of concussions. This hearing follows initial roundtable we had in march where we had constructive dialogue with leading experts in the field how to challenge concussions. Todays hearing focus on youth sports, specifically areas of prevention and research. While there is always particularly sports at young age shown to have many benefits. Benefits of youth sports participation, better health, increased activity, improved academic achievement and social developments to name a few. I might add Number One Health risk of youth is increasing rate, epidemic of childhood obesity. We know that that leads to increased adult risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and host of other problems. So we want children to pay careful attention to nutrition and be active. But suggests that 30 million ages five to 18 participate in organized sports. Largest population of athletes this is one of the most underserved population when it comes to awareness, Research Related to head injuries which brings to us our task today. We want to examine what is being done to reduce head injuries to young act lights what policies and guidelines are in place to limit the risk injury, how are the policies developed, do they go far enough around what education and training exists for athletes and coaches aarp parents . How do large number of leagues, teams and clubses recreational opportunities for Young Athletes complicate efforts to improve injury prevention . Youth sports are not as far along as many professional leagues progress is being made. All 50 states and District Of Columbia enacted concussion laws. Pop warner football, usa soccer, hockey, to name a few implemented amount of head contact in practice and games. Others such as usa football provide education and guidance to enhance training awareness for coaches and athletes. A number of groups are represented today. I look forward to hearing how the efforts affect their sports. Based on their experience thus far are we doing enough and what does the science tell us . The last question particularly interesting and important. There is a lot we do not know about concussions generally but pediatric populations including youth supports are severely under represented in research. There in lays the challenge. Public wants want answers that science is not ready to provide. It affects younger individuals both immediately and later in life. Therefore im interested how youth sports organizations develop and review and update policies or guidance and educational efforts in light of limited but rapidly see eye involving research on concussions. We dont know how traumatic brain injury affects our youth it makes it that much more challenging to protect them. We lack any form of effective injury surveillance or concussions for athletes younger than High School Age. Given large number of at lettic opportunities is a daunting task f we dont understand the magnitude of challenge. How different factors, age, sport, social yo economic status influence outwoman, how can we make sure were making best decision for our kids. This morning on panel were joined by two mothers, both of whom tragically lost their sons as a result of injuries sustained while playing youth sports. Her son jake was promising freshman athlete in grand view high school, a record can colorado, is the namesake of the concussion act. Mrs. Eagles son was, played football from the moment he could pick up a ball. We greatly appreciate your willingness to share your stories. It reminds why it so vital to continue to examine issue. Later on second panel, dartmouths head foot billion coach and representatives from usa football, usa hock by and usa lacrosse that will provide guidance to sports leagues. Well hear from pros for additional options keeping athletes safe. We have Prominent Researchers in the field. Better monitor injuries and minimize risk of injure based upon science. I appreciate all of your panels for joining us this morning. This is important issue and your perspectives are important to advance the public dialogue on these complex injuries. I also want to thank Ranking Member degette for her support in this initiative and look forward to continuing our efforts together in this endeavor. I recognize the Ranking Member for five minutes to deliver her own remarks. Thank you so much, mr. Chairman, for having this followup hearing on our roundtable that we held on concussions and brain trauma earlier this year. Im very pleased were looking first at youth sports through official hearings because studies have shown children and teens are more likely than adultses to get a concussion, and they take longer to recover. Athletes at professional College Levels, they can make their own decisions about undertaking the risks associated with certain sports but we need to insure that children and their parents have enough data to make informed decisions about participation in youth Contact Sports. Part of that discussion needs to be the recognition of how valuable these sports are, both for physical fitness and Team Building as you so well stated, mr. Chairman. But i think we also need to have an open discussion about how to make them safer. I approach this issue both as policymaker and a parent and as i said in the roundtable, i support evidencebased policy making and im very encouraged we having Ongoing Research to better understand brain trauma but at our roundtable the experts said that theyre going to have answers about what the protocols should be in seven to 10 years. And what i said, at that hearing is, as a mom, when im deciding if my kid is going to play peewee sports i cant afford to wait seven to 10 years. By then, they will be in high school and so, we need to take whatever evidence that we have right now and we need to figure out for now what we should tell the parents and what we should tell leagues they should be doing as the best practices as far as we know right now. For example, at what age should children Start Playing tackle football . How many times a week should children be engaging in fullcontact practices . When they do begin to play how do we teach them to tackle safely and to protect their heads and the heads of other players . How do we ensure coaches are educated in teaching these skills to Young Players . Im sure that we can ask other questions in all youth sports not just football. I agree that most, if not all parents would agree that it is better to err on the side of caution. The worst Case Scenario would be we discover later that some of these Safety Measures may have been unnecessary but as a mom, i always want to have more safety rather than less safety, especially when youre talking about our childrens brains. As we implement changes in sports now this is not a reason to stop researching our gaps in knowledge. We need to understand the longterm effects of concussive and subconcussive injuries. We need to analyze whether rule changes being implemented have desired effects. We need to study how to they affect brain injury in the first place. Im interested in hearing the witnesses on the second panel about the difference theyre seeing in girls and boys sports and how the rates of concussion differ. I know there have been studies suggesting that women and girls report concussions at higher rates than men and boys at similar sports. I want to know about that disparity and also if there is any disparity about the actual effect on brains. Both of our panels contain excellent witnesses and its so important to have them today. I really am proud to welcome two witnesses from colorado. Kelly jentz, as you heard tragically lost her son jake to second impact syndrome in 2004. And kelly, im so proud of you because what you did, is, you were instrumental in insuring that concussions are taken seriously in youth sports and that parents and coaches have the information they need. As the chairman mentioned, in 2012, governor hickenlooper signed the Jake Snakenberg youth sports law into colorado. Dr. Comstock on our second panel. She is from the Colorado School of Public Health. Like me a colorado native. She is one of the leading experts in sports injury epidemiology. Her database gathers information on injury exposure and incidents among High School Athletes. She looks at injury patterns, examining the correlation between neck strength and concussion risk to inform prevention and mitigation strategies. So i want to thank you also, dr. Comstock, for making youth sports safer. I want to thank everybody who is here today to help us figure this out. Around i also really want to say, we want to see sports succeed. I cant let this hearing go by without congrat hailing the World ChampionDenver Broncos for example, which i have season tickets. And i also want to say, as ive said before, one of my great sadnesses i was unable to persuade either of my daughters to play ice hockey and they took up dance instead but the point is, all, every child in this country should be safe. We love sports. We want to see sports succeed but that means that we have to do our utmost to improve player safety and guarranty that participation in sports doesnt mean that you have longterm health consequences. So i know, mr. Chairman, you intend to have more hearings. I think this is the Perfect Place to start. I want to thank you again and yield back. Thank you, go steelers. We are [laughter]. Thats fine. Sorry penguins in the playoffs. Wish them the best and all athletes. I will recognize first of all i want to say Opening Statement of mr. Upton will be included in the record. He could not be with us. Well recognize mr. Hudson for Opening Statement. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, chairman murphy and Ranking Member degette for your focus on this issue, even painful as it is to hear representative degette talk about broncos, as representing charlotte, North Carolina, and the panthers, there is always next year. Your experience and expertise help the committee better understand the gravity of concussions in youth sports and what we need to do prevent concussions for from longlasting effects for future generations. Pediatric trauma is number bun killer of kids. Pediatric trauma is become particular focus of mind. Im fortunate to have the childers institute of pediatric trauma partner with me to help our children live long fulfilling lives. It was started by my dear friend Richard Childers and wife judy to prevent serious injuries in children. Childers institute supports Pediatric Research programs including concussive fund which fun research into prevent concussions in youth sports. It will treat broadly and specific issues like concussions takes on particular importance to me as a father of a 7monthold baby boy. Thankful so much awareness brought to the issue by discussions like today. As one trauma surgeon said to me, it is not a life saved but a lifetime saved. I want to my fellow North Carolina representative, g. K. Butterfield are host pediatric trauma briefing on sues the 2 this. With that discussion, mr. Chairman i yield back. Anybody else on our side want anything to add at this point . I recommend the Ranking Member, mr. Pallone for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I want to thank all of our participate pants for joining us participants joining us today. Additionally i like to thank the chairmans for his commitment to this examination on concussions and brain trauma. Earlier this year we had an initial roundtable on this issue and at the time i requested of chairman upton we hold a series of hearings on concussions an sports related head trauma. I proposed we start with examination of head impact and youth sports. Im gratified were here to discuss this very top and look forward to additional hearings on this important issue. Parents across the country are concerned about the risk of concussions with good reason. I have my own experience as a parent in dealing with my daughters concussion and deciphering the med al vice provided. It is challenging as parent to balance news stores remembers and results latest research against the value of our childrens partial in sports and i can certainly relate to parents con concerns and confusion how to make the right decisions for their children and there is Compelling Research to suggest that the effects of repeated head trauma, even those received during ones youth can accumulate and cause serious consequences. These consequences can stem from injuries once considered minor, subconcussive hits or repetitive hits to the head. Purdue University Research is led by one of our witnesses dr. Tom salavage. Saw significant injuries to those with High School Football ion those not with a particular concussion. Even 12 months later suggested lasting damage. Many other studies document Ad Association between sub concussive hits and decrease in brain chemistry, decreased brain functioning and behavioral changes. Group of researchers at bosses ton university found exposure to hits regardless whether concussion occurred is associated with higher likelihood of moodys orders like depression. Research is repeatedly found evidence of linkage of head impacts and cte, a devastating brain disease. Cte found in former act lights as young as 25 years old and adults that never played football beyond the High School Level. There are number of risk factors that make individuals more susceptible to these debilitating conditions. We also need to understand what happens in the brain when its hit and how many hits trigger these neurological effects. While there is still research that needs to be done that should not be an excuse for inaction. What is not in dispute the association between head trauma from Contact Sports such as foot pool and lasting brain damage and degenerative diseases such as cte. Even nfl publicly acknowledged this link at the committeess roundtable back in march. Some researchers in the field quote, wait on the science before making changes to the rules of youth sports. I respectfully disagree. We cant ask children and their parents to wait 10, 15, 20 years for the science to catch up before we make measures to make sports safer. We need to ask questions right now an implement the appropriate rule changes of the the science raised enough red flags about the dangers of repetitive head trauma i think it is incumbent upon those who organize and promote youth Contact Sports to make every effort the make the games as safe as possible. Earlier this month the subcommittee Ranking Member, miss degette, mr. Green and miss schakowsky joined me in sending letters to collegiate and youth football leaders. We asked them to explain what rile and policy changes theyre considering to address the risks associated with both concussive and sub concensus sieve hits. I expect well have a response by may 25th. I commend pop warner it would ban kickoffs in games starting this fall. I look forward hearing from other youth sports organizations about what theyre doing for individual sports and whether additional measures need to be considered. Last, mr. Chairman i i want to express my deep thanks to kelly chance and care send zegel for join joining us today. I cant imagine the losses you and your family experienced thanks for willing to share your experiences with the committee. We can learn from you as we pave a better path forward for our kids. Thanks to all the witnesses to helping us our comprehensive review of concussions and head trauma. I hope we find a way to dress this Significant Health issue to protect our children. I yield back. The gentleman yield back. I ask unanimous consent the members Opening Statements introduced into the record and without objection the documents are introduced in the record. Well try to get through with their testimony before votes. First witness on todays panel, mr. Kelly jenz. She is the mother of jake snakeenburg. He surfed from second impact syndrome. She is dedicated to raising awareness of concussion in youth sports. I look forward too her insights on this matter. I want to welcome, karen ren sigg gel. The foundation was created in mem remember of her son who i enjoyed reading about during his football career. He pass away after suffering from cte. Thank you for your testimony today. We look forward to your comments. You two are aware this committee is holding investigative hearing, when doing so has the practice of taking testimony under oath. Do either of you object to testifying under oath . Seeing no objections chair advise you under rules of house and rules of committee youre entitled to be advised by counsel. Do either of you advised to be advised by counsel in your testimony . Neither one does. Rise and raise your right hand awill swear you in. Do you swear the testimony is about the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth . Thank you. Both answers affirmatively. You are now under oath. And subject to