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Congressman Sarbanes Introduces "Foundation for a Fit Nation" Act

Legislation would establish National Physical Fitness Foundation to help combat national obesity epidemic.

On October 4, 2007, Congressman John P. Sarbanes (MD-03) introduced the Foundation for a Fit Nation Act, legislation to establish the National Physical Fitness and Sports Foundation, which would help fund the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports with no cost to the tax payer. The Sarbanes legislation seeks to address growing rates of physical inactivity and obesity affecting the American population.

"In the United States, obesity among both children and adults has become a problem of epidemic proportions," said Sarbanes. "We cannot afford to ignore these statistics any longer." The American Obesity Association reported 127 million overweight adults in the United States. The Department of Health and Human Services predicts that 20 percent of American youth will be obese by 2010."

In introducing this bill, Congressman Sarbanes urged fellow House members to take action to reverse these disturbing trends by providing for an independent source of funding which will allow the President's Council of Physical Fitness to fulfill its original mission, and deal with the full scope of this problem. The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, a part of the Department of Health and Human Services, is an advisory committee created in 1982 to promote physical activity and fitness in the United States.

Currently, the Council operates on a $2.1 million budget. The Council is one of several agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services that are eligible to receive private contributions. It is not authorized, however, to solicit contributions. This legislation would establish a non-profit foundation designed to promote and encourage private contributions as an independent source of funding for the Council.

For more information: Jonathan Davidson, 202-225-4016

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