[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 16 (Monday, April 24, 2006)]
[Pages 747-748]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8003--National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, 2006

April 20, 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.
    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

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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

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:49 a.m., April 21, 
2006]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April 
24.