PCPFSNews asked Council Chair John Burke some questions regarding the focus of this Council:

Q: Can you outline some of the initiatives this Council will be tackling and why?

A: We have a number of exciting goals for this Council; sounding the alarm on the need for Americans to become more physically fit along with adding programs like an on-line adult fitness test and creating a Lifetime achievement award to recognize those who have made a great contribution toward getting people physically fit and involved in sports.  This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Council. When President Eisenhower formed the Council, he did so because he was alarmed at the fact that Americans were becoming less physically fit.  Fifty years later Eisenhower’s message is even more important.  We need to start to turn the tide and get more Americans to recognize the benefits of physical activity.  It is the duty of the Council to sound the alarm that we as a nation are moving in the wrong direction in the area of physical fitness and show them how a simple program of physical activity can deliver significant benefits.

Q: How do you feel this Council can be most effective? 

A: The Council can be most effective by getting the message out that there is a problem with the lack of physical activity in America and that there are simple solutions that can really make a significant difference in people’s lives.

Dr. Tedd Mitchell is now President and Medical Director of the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas. He received the 2006 Clarion award for his weekly column in USA Weekend (Best Magazine/Information/Non-opinion Column).

Nick Baird, director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH): From the web site of the “Healthy Ohioans—Small Steps, Big Strides” initiative, Ohioans are now able to link directly to the President’s Challenge web site. “Healthy Ohioans” is the multi-year, statewide health and wellness initiative of Governor Bob Taft and the ODH. The purpose of the program is to increase awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyles and to change unhealthy habits for healthy ones--one small step at a time.  The ultimate goal of Healthy Ohioans is to improve Ohio’s chronic disease rates related to lifestyles.

John Burke finished the Wisconisn Ironman Triathlon on September 10, 2006. The event, which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run, proves this PCPFS Chair definitely “walks the talk.”

Eli Manning threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns in the Giant’s season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts beat the Giants 26-21 in New York.

Andy Roddick played Roger Federer in the finals of the 2006 U.S. Open. Although he lost to Federer, Andy’s showing at the Open elevated him to number six in the world tennis rankings (he was twelfth going into the Western and Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati in mid August). Roddick will lead the U.S. contingent in Russia in the Davis Cup starting on September 22, 2006.