| Administration:
Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| Date: 1953-61 |
| Chair: |
Event/Program:
Published report by Kraus/Weber created
concern about the physical fitness of America's
children relative to their European counterparts. |
| Date:
1956 (6/18-19) |
| Chair: |
Event/Program:
President's Conference on Fitness of American
Youth at U.S. Naval Academy |
| Date:
7/16/56 |
|
Chair:
Vice President Richard M. Nixon,
Chairman
Shane McCarthy,
Executive
Director,
1956-61
|
Event/Program:
President Eisenhower creates the President's
Council on Youth Fitness with cabinet-level
status. The Executive Order specifies "one"
objective. The first Council identifies itself
as a "catalytic agent" concentrating
on creating public awareness. A President's
Citizens-Advisory Committee on Fitness of
American Youth is confirmed to give advice
to Council. |
| Date:
9/9-10/57 |
| Chair: |
Event/Program:
Conference on Physical Fitness of Youth,
U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY - plan
of action developed. The first nationwide
pilot study of 8,500 boys and girls ages 5
thru 12 resulted in start of national testing
program (today known as President's Challenge) |
| Administration:
John F. Kennedy |
| Date:
1961-63 |
|
Chair:
Charles (Bud) Wilkinson,
Consultant
to the President on Physical
Fitness,
1961-63.
Richard Swider,
Council
Administrator
|
Event/Program:
President Kennedy changes the name to
the President's Council on Physical Fitness
to address all age groups. The President amended
the Executive Order by one objective - enlisting
the aid of citizens, civic groups, etc. With
the aid of the Advertising Council, Inc.,
a nationwide public service advertising campaign
was launched. President Kennedy 'walks the
talk' taking the 50 mile hikes. State demonstration
centers were designed in 1961 to showcase
model elementary and secondary schools. In
that same year, President Kennedy speaks at
the Conference on Physical Fitness of Youth.
Regional clinics and educational films are
initiated. |
| Administration:
Lyndon B. Johnson |
| Date:
1963-69 |
|
Chair:
Stan Musial,
Consultant to the President
on Physical Fitness,
1964-67.
Hubert H. Humphrey,
Consultant to the President,
1967.
James A. Lovell,
Chair,
1967-78
Robert Stewart,
Council Administrator,
1964-67.
John P. Wilbern,
Council Administrator,
1967-70
|
Event/Program:
President Johnson changes the name to
the President's Council on Physical Fitness
and Sports to encourage lasting fitness
gains through sports and games. The President
also added 5 objectives to the Executive Order.
The second national fitness survey of 10 to
17 year olds takes place in 1965. In 1966,
the President establishes the Presidential
Physical Fitness Award for exceptional
achievement by boys and girls ages 10 to 17
based on the survey. The Council supervised
the National Youth Sports Program for disadvantaged
youth. The PCPFS was placed administratively
under DHEW. |
| Administration:
Richard M. Nixon |
| Date:
1969-74 |
|
Chair:
James A. Lovell,
Chairman,
1967-78.C.
Carson Conrad,
Executive Director,
1970-84
|
Event/Program:
The Council expanded the Presidential
Physical Fitness Awards to include recreation
departments and groups such as boys and girls
clubs. Special Advisors were developed in
1970 to stimulate the development of physical
fitness programs for employees, enhanced public
relation activities and instigated the possibility
of private support for Council projects. Three
conferences were held on fitness in business
and industry in 1972, 1973, and 1974. The
Presidential Sports Award was established
in 1972 to motivate Americans to participate
regularly in fitness/ sports activity. |
| Administration:
Gerald R. Ford |
| Date:
1974-77 |
|
Chair:
James A. Lovell,
Chairman,
1967-78C.
Carson Conrad,
Executive Director,
1970-84
|
Event/Program:
The Executive Order was amended with two
additional objectives in 1976 to charge the
Council with informing the general public
of the importance of exercise and assisting
business and industry in establishing sound
physical fitness programs. In 1975, the third
national youth fitness survey takes place
and results did not show as much improvement
as those of 1965. In 1976, the Presidential
Sports Award was available in 43 categories. |
| Administration:
James E. Carter |
| Date:
1977-1981 |
|
Chair:
Governor Jerry Apodaca,
Chairman,
1978-80
Al McGuire,
Chairman,
1980-81
|
Event/Program:
Council membership amended to 15 members;
President Carter speaks at 1st National
Conference on Physical Fitness. In 1979,
physical fitness and exercise become one of
15 priority areas in a national health promotion/disease
prevention initiative with PCPFS as lead agency;
CDC, science advisor. Congress passes Amateur
Sports Act of 1978 reorganizing the USOC. |
| Administration:
Ronald W. Reagan |
| Date:
1981-1989 |
|
Chair:
George Allen,
Chairman,
1981-88
Richard Kazmaier,
Chairman,
1988-89
C. Carson Conrad,
Executive Director,
1970-84
Ash E. Hayes,
Executive Director,
1985-89
|
Event/Program:
The Executive Order is amended to 10 objectives.
The 1985 National School Population Fitness
Survey spurs the development of the National
Physical Fitness Award. PCPFS joins National
Recreation and Parks Association in the National
Fitness Coalition to stimulate recreation
and parks officials to initiate fitness programs.
Some of Coach Allen's goals included: the
National Fitness Foundation; U.S. Fitness
Academy; National Fitness Classic; Adult Fitness
Card; and National Fitness Testing Week, Youth
Fitness Forums, etc. The Healthy American
Fitness Leaders Award begins and a physical
fitness postage stamp is issued. Coach Allen
appointed 44 Special Advisors. 1983 - White
House Symposium on Physical Fitness and Sports
Medicine and May is proclaimed National Physical
Fitness and Sports Month; 1984 - National
Conference on Youth Fitness and 6 regional
public hearings on physical fitness and physical
education take place. Also in 1984, The first
National Women's Leadership Conference on
Fitness takes place with First Lady as Honorary
Chair. In 1987, the Amateur Athletic Union
is awarded the contract to administer today's
President's Challenge. In the public health
arena, the PCPFS reports on the 1990 Objectives
in the exercise and fitness priority area.
In 1991, the Participant Physical Fitness
Award is added. |
| Administration:
George H. Bush |
| Date:
1989-93 |
|
Chair:
Arnold Schwarzenegger,
Chairman,
1990-92
Wilmer "Vinegar Bend" Mizell,
Executive Director,
1989-91
John Butterfield,
Executive
Director,
1991-93
|
Event/Program:
Great American Workouts are held on White House
lawn; chairman visits all 50 states to advocate
for daily, quality physical education; the
Council is expanded to 20 members; this is
prolific era for public/private collaboration
on physical fitness programs and initiatives.
In 1989, the PCPFS is named lead agency on
physical activity and fitness priority area
of Healthy People 2000; CDC is science advisor.
In 1990, the National Conference on Military
Fitness takes place to review important physical
fitness issues facing the Uniformed Services
today. In 1991, the Participant Physical Fitness
Award is added. The Presidential Sports Award
recognizes the first family to earn the 'Family
Fitness Award.' |
| Administration:
William J. Clinton |
| Date:
1993-2001 |
|
Chair:
Florence Griffith Joyner
(1993-98)
and
Tom
McMillen
(1993-97),
Co-Chairs.
Lee Haney,
Chair,
1999-02 and
Don Casey,
Vice Chair,
2000-02.
Sandra Perlmutter,
Executive
Director,
1993-2001
|
Event/Program:
1993 PCPFS Strategic Planning Forum conducted
to discuss adult fitness survey and garner
recommendations on how to improve Americans'
physical activity and fitness status. Secretary
Shalala releases Nolan Ryan Fitness Guide
which is made available free of charge to
every American who asks for one - over 850,000
distributed. In 1994, the Council releases
the Silver Eagle Award to promote fitness
among seniors. The landmark Physical Activity
and Health: A Report by the Surgeon General
is released in 1996. In 1997 Fit Start is
added to the Presidential Sports Award and
materials made available in Spanish. The President's
Challenge releases the Health Fitness Award
and materials are made available in Spanish.
In cooperation with the National Archive and
Records Administration, the Council sponsors
Flexing the Nation's Muscle: President's,
Physical Fitness and Sports in the American
Century, a traveling exhibit featuring
twentieth century presidents and their participation
in activity and fitness. Sponsored by SGMA
and IHRSA, the Council partnered with the
Advertising Council to develop a 3 year ad
campaign focusing on youth fitness, "Get
Off It!" and "Get Up, Get Out."
PCPFS and CDC are named co-leads for the physical
activity and fitness goals of Healthy People
2010 and physical activity is named one
of 10 Leading Health Indicators. President
Clinton issues Executive Memorandum directing
Secretaries of HHS and Education to identify
strategies to improve our nation's youth fitness.
In November 2000, report is presented to the
White House, Promoting Better Health for
Young People through Physical Activity and
Sports. Plans are put in place for PCPFS
website. |
| Administration:
George W. Bush |
| Date:
2001- |
|
Chair:
Lynn C. Swann,
Chair,
2002-2005
and
Dorothy G. Richardson,
Vice Chair,
2002-
Lisa E. Oliphant,
Executive
Director,
2001-2002
|
Event/Program:
The PCPFS launches its gateway website at
www.fitness.gov. For the 2001-02
school year, the President's Challenge expands
to three areas and the Presidential Active
Lifestyle Award (PALA) is made available
for children and youth.
On June 6, 2002, President Bush signs Executive
Order 13265, emphasizes the Council's role
in advising and assisting the President
and the Secretary of Health and Human Services
in expanding national interest in the health
benefits of regular physical activity and
sports.
On June 20, 2002, President Bush holds
Fitness Expo on the south lawn of the White
House and introduces his new Council members.
|
| Date:
2003 |
|
Chair: Lynn C. Swann
Vice Chair Dot Richardson, M.D.
CDR Penny Royall,
Acting Executive Director,
Dec
2002-Oct
2003
|
Event/Program:
On January 15, 2003, Chairman Lynn Swann
speaks at the National Press Club. He discusses
the Council's programs to help Americans
"Be Physically Active Every Day,"
introduces the Presidential Active Lifestyle
Award (PALA) to the media, and announces
the future President's Challenge interactive
web site under development.
On July 18, 2003, President Bush and Chairman Lynn Swann launches www.presidentschallenge.org,
at the Lakewest Family YMCA in Dallas, Texas.
Secretary
Thompson launches Secretary's Challenge. |
Melissa Johnson,
Executive
Director,
Oct 2003 |
Event/Program:
In October 2003, Melissa Johnson is appointed
executive director. |
| Date:
2004 - 2005 |
Melissa Johnson,
Executive Director |
HealthierUS Fitness Festival held June
16, 2004 on National Mall with Congressional
Fitness Caucus.
300,000 individuals register on www.presidentschallenge.org.
President's Challenge DVD produced. Council
Science Board formed. Collaboration with
ACSM formed. Over 80 partnerships formed
with President's Challenge. Publications
- "Kids in Action," "Rx:
Take the President's Challenge." "Walking
Works" re-released. New initiatives:
"I Can Do It, You Can Do It" with
Office on Disability; "You Can"
with AOA. Wisconsin Governor's Challenge
launched. Federal
interagency task forces: Healthier Children;
Recreation. Helped kick off "Get Fit
with US" in St. Paul.
Healthier Feds Physical Activity Challenge/President's Challenge launch for federal
employees - Fall '04. 30,000 Feds from 30 agencies participate.
May 2005 - President Bush issues Proclamation for National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, 2005. May 2, 2005, Second HealthierUS Fitness Festival held on the National Mall to observe National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Over 80 organizations sign up to be Presidential Partners in May.
July 30, 2005 - Lynn Swann retires as chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. |
| Date: 2006 |
Melissa Johnson,
Executive Director |
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports launches its 50th Anniversary year by celebrating the accomplishments of its partners and friends and establishing a partnership initiative, 50th Anniversary Partners to Get America Moving! |
