[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 87 (Friday, May 3, 2024)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 36663-36664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09820]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 87 / Friday, May 3, 2024 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 36663]]


                Proclamation 10740 of April 30, 2024

                
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, 2024

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Sports and physical fitness reflect the best of the 
                American spirit: hard work, collaboration, and big 
                dreams. Some of my favorite memories and most enduring 
                values come from the time I spent playing football as a 
                kid. But you do not have to compete in organized sports 
                to benefit from physical activity--being active in any 
                way helps to improve your health, clear your mind, and 
                make our Nation stronger. During National Physical 
                Fitness and Sports Month, we commit to doing more to 
                help give every American the opportunity to exercise 
                and live a healthy life.

                Whether doing yard work, walking to the store, going on 
                a run with a friend, or playing basketball in the park, 
                exercise makes us healthier and stronger. Exercise 
                lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, 
                certain cancers, and more; and it increases quality of 
                life. It boosts mental health, easing depression and 
                anxiety while improving memory and sleep. It helps 
                young people build lasting friendships--teaching key 
                lessons about discipline, teamwork, and winning and 
                losing and preparing them to be leaders.

                But not everyone has that same chance. Today, less than 
                half of all Americans live within a half-mile of a 
                park. Tens of millions of children do not have access 
                to a playground within a 10-minute walk of their home. 
                Cash-strapped schools are too often cutting physical 
                education programs. Youth sports leagues can be 
                expensive, leaving too many kids with few options. The 
                United States of America can do better.

                My Administration has kept that in mind from the start. 
                We are making the biggest investment in infrastructure 
                in generations, including $800 million to make 
                sidewalks and crosswalks across the Nation safer for 
                people to walk, run, bike, and skate. I signed the 
                biggest investment in fighting climate change ever--
                protecting and restoring our great outdoors, which 
                offer so many cherished recreational activities. We are 
                providing over $300 million to help cities and towns 
                build new parks and expand opportunities for outdoor 
                recreation. To make National Parks more accessible to 
                Americans, I signed legislation that made National Park 
                entry free for our veterans and members of our Gold 
                Star Families. We are also working to repair the 
                bridges and roads that lead to our National Parks so 
                more families can visit these natural treasures.

                At the same time, I convened the first White House 
                Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in a half-
                century, releasing a national strategy to end hunger 
                and, among other things, make it easier for Americans 
                to exercise. Since then, 14 major sports leagues and 
                players associations have signed agreements with my 
                Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition to expand 
                access to physical activity, integrate messaging and 
                education about nutrition, and promote healthy 
                lifestyles to the millions of people who engage with 
                their programs every year. My Administration galvanized 
                nearly $10 billion from companies, non-profits, and 
                other stakeholders to meet that goal--helping with 
                everything from making youth sports more affordable to 
                taking children on trips to national parks. Meanwhile, 
                the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is 
                working with local governments, schools, and community 
                organizations to get 27 million Americans more active 
                by 2027

[[Page 36664]]

                by working with communities to implement evidence-based 
                strategies for increasing physical activity across 
                various sectors and settings. The Department of Health 
                and Human Services' ``Move Your Way'' campaign launched 
                a website with a tool that helps you build an exercise 
                plan--go to health.gov/moveyourway.

                We can all come together, feel better, and live longer 
                if we stay active, exercise, and keep moving. It makes 
                us healthier, and that is good for our families, our 
                economy, and our Nation. This month, I encourage all 
                Americans to do more--walk to the store, join a local 
                sports team, sign up for a class or a race, and get out 
                and enjoy the natural wonders of America. I will keep 
                working to make sure everyone has the same fair shot to 
                do so.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, by virtue of the 
                authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws 
                of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2024 as 
                National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. I call upon 
                the people of the United States to make daily physical 
                activity a priority, to support efforts to increase 
                access to sports opportunities in their communities, 
                and to pursue physical fitness as an essential part of 
                healthy living.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                eighth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2024-09820
Filed 5-2-24; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F4-P