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Council History 1993 - 2009

History of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition

1993 - 2009 (Selected Highlights)

Administration: William J. Clinton
Date: 1993 - 2001
Chair: Florence Griffith Joyner Co-Chair, 1993 - 1998 Tom McMillen Co - Chair, 1993 - 1997 Lee Haney Chair,1999 - 2002 Don Casey Vice Chair, 2000 - 2002 Sandra Perlmutter Executive Director, 1993 - 2001	Event/Program: 1993 PCPFS Strategic Planning Forum conducted to discuss adult fitness survey and garner recommendations on how to improve Americans' physical activity and fitness status. Secretary Shalala releases Nolan Ryan Fitness Guide which is made available free of charge to every American who asks for one - over 850,000 distributed. In 1994, the Council releases the Silver Eagle Award to promote fitness among seniors. The landmark Physical Activity and Health: A Report by the Surgeon General is released in 1996. In 1997 Fit Start is added to the Presidential Sports Award and materials made available in Spanish. The President's Challenge releases the Health Fitness Award and materials are made available in Spanish. In cooperation with the National Archive and Records Administration, the Council sponsors Flexing the Nation's Muscle: President's, Physical Fitness and Sports in the American Century, a traveling exhibit featuring twentieth century presidents and their participation in activity and fitness. Sponsored by SGMA and IHRSA, the Council partnered with the Advertising Council to develop a 3 year ad campaign focusing on youth fitness, "Get Off It!" and "Get Up, Get Out." PCPFS and CDC are named co - leads for the physical activity and fitness goals of Healthy People 2010 and physical activity is named one of 10 Leading Health Indicators. President Clinton issues Executive Memorandum directing Secretaries of HHS and Education to identify strategies to improve our nation's youth fitness. In November 2000, report is presented to the White House, Promoting Better Health for Young People through Physical Activity and Sports. Plans are put in place for PCPFS website.
Administration: George W. Bush
Date: 2001 - 2009
Chair: Lynn C. Swann Chair, 2002 - 2005 Dorothy G. Richardson, M.D. Vice Chair, 2002 - 2009 Lisa E. Oliphant Executive Director, 2001 - 2002 CDR Penny Royall Acting Executive Director, Dec 2002 - Oct 2003 Melissa Johnson, MS Executive Director, Oct 2003 - Jan 2009 Chair: John P. Burke Chairman, 2005 - 2009 Dorothy G. Richardson, M.D. Vice Chair, 2002 - 2009	Event/Program: The PCPFS launches its gateway website at www.fitness.gov. For the 2001 - 02 school year, the President's Challenge expands to three areas and the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) is made available for children and youth. On June 6, 2002, President Bush signs Executive Order 13265, emphasizes the Council's role in advising and assisting the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services in expanding national interest in the health benefits of regular physical activity and sports. On June 20, 2002, President Bush holds Fitness Expo on the south lawn of the White House and introduces his new Council members. On January 15, 2003, Chairman Lynn Swann speaks at the National Press Club. He discusses the Council's programs to help Americans "Be Physically Active Every Day," introduces the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) to the media, and announces the future President's Challenge interactive web site under development. On July 18, 2003, President Bush and Chairman Lynn Swann launches www.presidentschallenge.org , at the Lakewest Family YMCA in Dallas, Texas. Secretary Thompson launches Secretary's Challenge. In October 2003, Melissa Johnson is appointed executive director. December 2003 – President's Council Science Board formed and first Science Board meeting held. HealthierUS Fitness Festival held June 16, 2004 on National Mall with Congressional Fitness Caucus. 300,000 individuals register on www.presidentschallenge.org . President's Challenge DVD produced. Council Science Board formed. Collaboration with ACSM formed. Over 80 partnerships formed with President's Challenge. Publications - "Kids in Action," "Rx: Take the President's Challenge." "Walking Works" re - released. New initiatives: "I Can Do It, You Can Do It" with Office on Disability; "You Can" with AOA. Wisconsin Governor's Challenge launched. Federal interagency task forces: Healthier Children; Recreation. Helped kick off "Get Fit with US" in St. Paul. Healthier Feds Physical Activity Challenge/President's Challenge launch for federal employees - Fall '04. 30,000 Feds from 30 agencies participate. May 2005 - President Bush issues Proclamation for National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, 2005. May 2, 2005, Second HealthierUS Fitness Festival held on the National Mall to observe National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Over 80 organizations sign up to be Presidential Partners in May. July 30, 2005 - Lynn Swann retires as chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports launches its 50th Anniversary year by celebrating the accomplishments of its partners and friends and establishing a partnership initiative, 50th Anniversary Partners to Get America Moving! May 6, 2006 – Third HealthierUS Fitness Challenge held at RFK Stadium in celebration of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Fall 2007 – The 2^nd HealthierFeds Physical Activity Challenge held. The expanded program included all three branches of government and independent agencies. Approximately 40,000 Federal workers, contractors, and their family members register. May 3, 2007 – Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award winners announced. The six recipients (Ken Cooper, M.D., Jack LaLanne, Judi Sheppard Missett, Bonnie Prudden, Bud Seretean, and Joe Weider) were honored at a joint awards luncheon with the United States Olympic Committee. The Council also announced its first 37 Community Leadership Award winners, presented to individuals nationwide. March 20 - May 15, 2008 – First National President's Challenge launched. Council member Eli Manning and Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H. kicked - off the initiative at the National Press Club, and President George W. Bush announced the six - week physical activity challenge in the East Garden of the White House. Alaska was recognized as the winner of the National President's Challenge. May 14, 2008 – PCPFS released new national Adult Fitness Test (www.adultfitnesstest.org ). The on - line test was launched at an event at Results Gym in Washington, DC with members of the President's Council, the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), Acting Surgeon General Dr. Steven Galson, and The Biggest Loser contestant, Bernardo "Bernie" Salazar. October 7, 2008 - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released first Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans at an event at HHS headquarters in Washington, DC. The launch was followed by a partnership forum run by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, which served as the leading offices in the development of the Guidelines. 2008 – List of PCPFS Science Partners include: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD); American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM); American Heart Association (AHA); American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM); American Physical Therapy Association (APTA); National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA); and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)