I
want to welcome all visitors to our web site, www.fitness.gov,
and introduce you to our e-newsletter. Our theme for
this issue is “Get Outdoors, Get Active” as
we embark on the summer season and celebrate outdoor
recreation and the instrumental role the great outdoors
plays in our physical, mental, economic and social
well-being. In May, the Council celebrated National
Physical Fitness and Sports Month, recognized
by an official proclamation
from President Bush. Council chairman Lynn
Swann and members Denise Austin, Amanda Cromwell,
Pam Danberg, and Dan Gable helped to kick off the
month at the 2nd
annual Fitness Festival on the National Mall.
Thousands joined us as we danced, stepped, walked,
biked, snowshoed, and Jazzercised our way to promote
physical activity for health. The National Mall
provided the perfect setting on which to host the
event particularly as we continue our work with
federal partners from the various land management
agencies, the CDC, and the Indian Health Service
to promote public lands for public health. People
heard about getting active and learned about a
variety of activities in May. It is our hope that
they will now learn about all the great places
to embark on these activities outdoors this summer.
Finally, I ask you to stay tuned
to our website and look for more information about our
upcoming 50 year anniversary of the Council. There are
many exciting things planned to celebrate the occasion,
and we hope you’ll join
us. Melissa Johnson
|