News Release

HHS Secretary Leavitt Kicks off National Physical Fitness and Sports Month with
Healthier US Fitness Festival on National Mall

HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt, with U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona and Lynn Swann, Chairman of the President�s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS), celebrate May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month by hosting the HealthierUS Fitness Festival on Monday on the National Mall. The Fitness Festival is a free public event that encourages healthful physical activity.

�Americans must continue to take steps towards better health by building physical activity into their day,� Secretary Leavitt said. �Thirty minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week can improve people�s quality of life and reduce the chance of chronic illness.�

The HealthierUS Fitness Festival is a daylong event aimed at promoting physical activity through sports and games in a fun and encouraging environment. Special guests at this year�s festival are basketball�s Harlem Globetrotters. The festival also features sports and fitness experts from over 80 organizations, with exhibits and demonstrations of fitness dancing, football, soccer, bicycling and other activities.

�Unfortunately, physical activity often competes with television and video games for time in the lives of Americans. So it�s important that we find creative and constructive ways for exercise to become a part of our daily lives,� said U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona. �Too many children and adults are suffering from the diseases that are caused by overweight and obesity. Our growing national tendency towards physical complacency is already affecting our individual quality of life.�

President George W. Bush�s HealthierUS initiative is designed to help Americans live longer, healthier lives. The President's HealthierUS initiative gives Americans guidance on how to improve personal health and fitness. It encourages Americans to be physically active every day; eat a nutritious diet; get preventive screenings and make healthy choices that avoid risky behaviors such as smoking.

Founded by the PCPFS and originally proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, National Physical Fitness and Sports Month provides an impetus to communities, organizations, groups and individuals nationwide to join to promote the benefits of active living. The PCPFS promotes and supports the observance by providing guidance and ideas for planning events such as fitness festivals; fun runs; fitness walks; health fairs; and physical fitness and sports awards ceremonies.

�The HealthierUS Fitness Festival showcases the many ways Americans of all ages can enjoy an active lifestyle while improving their health -- from competitive sports to bicycling, walking, yoga, and Tai Chi,� said PCPFS Chairman Lynn Swann.

A Noon ceremony features Secretary Leavitt; Surgeon General Carmona; PCPFS Chairman Lynn Swann; PCPFS members Denise Austin, Paul Carrozza, Amanda Cromwell, Pam Danberg and Danny Gable; and gymnast Kerri Strug, as well as a special demonstration by the Globetrotters.

President George W. Bush has issued a proclamation designating May 2005 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.

For information about the festival and the President�s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, visit www.fitness.gov