Home >> SGMA's 2009 National Health Through Fitness DaySGMA's 2009 National Health Through Fitness DayThe game plan for the day entailed a series of face-to-face discussions with Members of Congress about the importance of federal funding for quality physical education (PEP) and increasing physical activity for families by making it more accessible and more affordable for all Americans (PHIT). There were more than 80 meetings with U.S. Senators and Representatives, plus an additional 32 meetings with key Congressional staff members, scheduled for the day.
The celebrities participating in our 2009 National Health Through Fitness Day included:
There were a number of representatives from SGMA member organizations which participated in the lobbying process. Those companies included Accusplit, Brain Pad, Century Martial Arts, Continental Sports Supply/Reusch USA, Cramer Products, Easton-Bell Sports, Everlast Worldwide, Franklin Sports, Head, HOPSports Training Systems, Horizon Fitness, ICON Health & Fitness, Jarden Team Sports, Lifeline International, Mizuno USA, New Balance Athletic Shoe, Nike, Polar Electro, Prince Sports, Reebok, Rollerblade, Russell Athletic, Spalding, SPRI Products, Under Armour, and Wilson Sporting Goods. The advocates walked the halls of Congress campaigning for two physical activity initiatives:
PEP provides grants to local school districts and community based programs to purchase equipment and train instructors in innovative physical education methods. Since 2001, PEP has successfully enhanced K-12 physical education programs across the country through almost $500 million in grants used for training in state-of-the-art health and wellness-based physical education methods. PEP uses new technology such as heart-rate monitors, pedometers, and the acquisition of state-of-the-art fitness equipment and facilities. “PEP helps finance a new way to approach P.E. for children and PHIT encourages physically active lifestyles by making sports, fitness and recreational activities more affordable,” said Bill Sells, SGMA’s vice president of government relations. The PHIT Act, currently sponsored by U.S. Representative Ron Kind (D-WI), rose from a concept in the fall of 2005 to a viable vehicle for improving the health of Americans through physically active lifestyles. The PHIT Act would change current federal tax law to allow for the deduction or use of pre-tax dollars to cover expenses related to sports, fitness and other physical activities. Once an individual or family spends 7.5% of their income on qualified medical expenses, they can deduct physical activity expenses directly. More than 45 million Americans live in families that meet the 7.5% threshold to deduct medical expenses. PHIT would also allow Americans to invest up to $1,000 annually in existing pre-tax medical accounts to pay for physical activities. PHIT would only expand the eligible expenses for pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Medical Savings Accounts (MSA), and/or medical reimbursement arrangements. PHIT would not increase contribution limits to these accounts. The consortium asked Congress to approve the PEP Bill in Fiscal Year 2010 for $100 million. In Fiscal Year 2001, the PEP Bill was approved for $5 million; $50 million in FY 2002; $60 million in FY 2003; $70 million in FY 2004; $73.4 million in FY 2005; $72.7 million in FY 2006; $73 million in FY 2007; $75.7 million in FY 2008; and $78.0 million in FY 2009. In addition to the lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, there was a physical education demonstration which was held in the Rayburn House Office Building. It featured a PE class and their teachers from the greater Washington, D.C. area. This demonstration featured a group of students from a DC-area school which was the recipient of a PEP grant. It was coordinated by Cindy Sisson Hensley of HOPSports. The event was also supported by SGMA, NASPE, and the National Coalition for the Promotion of Physical Activity. “The sports and fitness industry has been influential in demonstrating that physical activity is the foundation for a healthy nation,” said Tom Cove, SGMA’s president. “PEP will help give Americans of all ages an opportunity to learn about the importance of physical fitness in their daily lives. PHIT will help encourage physical activity by making it more affordable and available. Adults need regular exercise and the PHIT Act will help them achieve that goal.” Attendees found this year's advocacy day to be very successful and rewarding:
Anybody who was unable to attend our 2009 National Health Through Fitness Day can get involved in our advocacy efforts by contacting their local U.S. Representative and their U.S. Senators to express their interest in seeing both pieces of legislation get passed. Click here to write to Congress on PEP Click here to write to Congress on PHIT Click here to sign the PHIT Petition Click here to submit you 2009 Meeting Reports |
