HHS Secretary Leavitt Visits with Teenage Athletes from Jordan

January 30, 2008 – U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael O. Leavitt meets with teenage Jordanian athletes in Washington, D.C., during their 10-day visit to the United States.  (Photo by Chris Smith, HHS)

January 30, 2008 – U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Michael O. Leavitt met today with a group of ten athletes from the Kingdom of Jordan during their ten-day trip to the United States.  The International Visitors Program at the U.S. Department of State hosted the group of teenage athletes, who come from schools across Jordan, to introduce the youth to the field of athletics and sports in the United States.  Their itinerary includes visits to university and high school health-and-fitness programs, Federal Government offices, and various sporting events.

Since 2004, at the request of King Abdullah II of Jordan, HHS has worked closely with various entities of the Jordanian Government to establish a local program and committee similar to the U.S. President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS).  This group of Jordanian teenagers represents a selection of the best athletes to participate in the program during its first year of operation.

Last revised: February 19, 2008