[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 120, 109th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8003--APR. 19, 2006
Proclamation 8003 of April 19, 2006
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, 2006
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
For 50 years, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports has
helped individuals, schools, communities, businesses, and organizations
promote healthy lifestyles. During this year's National Physical Fitness
and Sports Month, we celebrate the Council's 50th anniversary and
underscore our Nation's strong commitment to health, physical activity,
and fitness.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower founded the President's Council on Youth
Fitness in 1956 to encourage America's youth to make fitness a priority.
He wrote that year, ``Our young people must be physically as well as
mentally and spiritually prepared for American citizenship.'' The
Council later became the President's Council on Physical Fitness and
Sports, including people of all ages and abilities and promoting fitness
through sports and games.

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Today, the Council continues to play an important role in promoting
fitness and healthy living in America. My HealthierUS Initiative
provides simple steps to help citizens live longer and better lives, and
millions of young people and adults have participated in the President's
Challenge awards program. The Council's website, fitness.gov, has
information about these programs and other ways Americans can improve
their health through physical activity. By exercising regularly and
maintaining healthy eating habits, individuals can feel better and
reduce their risk of chronic health conditions like obesity, diabetes,
heart disease, and cancer. An active lifestyle also creates
opportunities for friends and family to spend time together and enjoy
various forms of exercise, such as biking, hiking, and team sports. The
medical benefits, increased self-confidence, and stress reduction that
can come from athletic activity help contribute to a healthier, more
productive Nation.
I urge children, teens, and all Americans to make time every day for
exercise and to encourage family, friends, and neighbors to live
healthier lives by participating in physical fitness activities. As
President Kennedy said at the 1961 Youth Fitness Conference, ``We do not
want in the United States a nation of spectators. We want a nation of
participants in the vigorous life.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2006 as National
Physical Fitness and Sports Month. I call upon the people of the United
States to make daily exercise a priority. I encourage individuals,
community organizations, and schools to celebrate with physical and
athletic activities and to work toward the great national goal of an
active, fit America.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSH