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For release: immediate
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Contact: Janice Meer |
President’s Council on Physical Fitness
and Sports |
(202) 690-5179 |
jmeer@osophs.dhhs.gov
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HEALTHIER US FITNESS
FESTIVAL
Harlem Globetrotters
join HHS Secretary, Lynn
Swann and Denise
Austin on National Mall to
launch National Physical Fitness and Sports
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Monday, May 2, 2005 — WASHINGTON
, DC . The President’s Council on Physical Fitness
and Sports (PCPFS) hosted the HealthierUS
Fitness Festival, a
free public celebration of health, physical activity,
and fitness on the National Mall. Health and Human
Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt joined PCPFS
chairman Lynn Swann and members Denise Austin, Amanda
Cromwell, Pam Danberg, and Danny Gable to celebrate
the theme “Get America Moving” in May.
President George W. Bush issued a proclamation
designating May as National Physical Fitness and Sports
Month.
The Harlem Globetrotters performed
at a noon program and were available to meet the
public and sign autographs throughout the festival.
Sports and fitness experts from over 80 organizations
exhibited and gave demonstrations of cardiovascular
workouts, fitness dancing and other strength and
conditioning activities on two stages. Other ongoing
sports and activities included football (punt/pass/kick),
soccer, rugby, snowshoeing, bicycling; new sports
Tchoukball, Paddle Battle, and USFooty Kids; chair
massages; the President’s
Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards program;
and walks/runs around the Mall.
Speakers at the noon ceremony included
Secretary Leavitt http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2005pres/20050502.html;
Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns; NFL Hall of
Fame member and former Pittsburgh Steeler Swann (PCPFS
chairman); PCPFS member and fitness expert Denise Austin;
Cristina V. Beato, Acting Assistant Secretary
for Health; Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona; National
Park Service director Fran Mainella; HHS Office on
Disability director Margaret Giannini; and PCPFS executive
director Melissa Johnson. Also attending were Olympic
gymnast Kerri Strug and NBC-4 weather anchor Veronica
Johnson.
See schedule,
exhibitors list, and text of a Presidential
Proclamation for National Physical Fitness and Sports
Month (May 2005).
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