President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

AGENCY:

Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science.

ACTION:

Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY:

As stipulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is hereby giving notice that the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports will hold a meeting. This meeting is open to the public. A description of the Council's functions is included with this notice.

DATE AND TIME:

October 19, 2004, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ADDRESSES:

Department of Health and Human Services, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Room 800, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Melissa Johnson, Executive Director, President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Room 738H, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201, (202) 690-5187.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) was established originally by Executive Order 10673, dated July 16, 1956. PCPFS was established by President Eisenhower after published reports indicated that American boys and girls were unfit compared to the children of Western Europe. Authorization to continue Council operations was given at appropriate intervals by subsequent Executive Orders. The Council has undergone two name changes and several reorganizations. Presently, the PCPFS is a program office located organizationally in the Office of Public Health and Science within the Office of the Secretary in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

On June 6, 2002, President Bush signed Executive Order 13256 to reestablish the PCPFS. Executive Order 13256 was established to expand the focus of the Council. This directive instructed the Secretary to develop and coordinate a national program to enhance physical activity and sports participation. The Council currently operates under the stipulations of the new directive. The primary functions of the Council include: (1) To advise the President, through the Secretary, on the progress made in carrying out the provisions of the enacted directive and recommend actions to accelerate progress; (2) to advise the Secretary on ways and means to enhance opportunities for participation in physical fitness and sports, and, where possible, to promote and assist in the facilitation and/or implementation of such measures; (3) to advise the Secretary regarding opportunities to extend and improve physical activity/fitness and sports programs and services at the national, state, and local levels; and (4) to monitor the need for the enhancement of programs and educational and promotional materials sponsored, overseen, or disseminated by the Council and advise the Secretary, as necessary, concerning such needs.

The PCPFS holds at a minimum, one meeting in the calendar year to: (1) Assess ongoing Council activities and; (2) discuss and plan future projects and programs.