[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 83 (Monday, June 16, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. McCAIN (for himself and Mr. Hollings):
  S. 905. A bill to establish a national physical fitness and sports 
foundation to carry out activities to support and supplement the 
mission of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation.


                the sports foundation establishment act

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce, along with 
Senator Hollings, the National Physical Fitness and Sports Foundation 
Establishment Act. This bill would create a charitable, not-for-profit 
foundation to raise funds from the private sector to support the 
activities of the President's Council on Physical Fitness.
  The President's Council presently relies on Federal appropriations to 
support its activities. In each of the last 2 fiscal years, the 
President's Council has received appropriations of approximately $1 
million. Future appropriations for the Mr. President's Council are at 
risk as we strive to balance the Federal budget.
  The foundation created by this bill would raise private funds to 
sustain the President's Council on Physical Fitness. To facilitate 
fundraising, the foundation is permitted to offer the use of the seal 
of the President's Council for promotional purposes in exchange for 
sponsorship funds. The bill does not authorize the expenditure of 
Federal funds.
  The primary goal of the President's Council is to foster programs 
that encourage people of all ages to participate regularly in sports 
and physical activities. The President's Council focuses on grassroots, 
community-based programs. Perhaps the Council's most well known 
activity is the President's Challenge Physical Fitness Awards Program 
which is administered by teachers and youth programs across the 
country.
  We should act to preserve the President's Council. Its activities are 
particularly important because our Nation's children are becoming 
increasingly less physically fit even as we learn that physical fitness 
in one's youth is important to living a healthy life during adulthood.
                                 ______