Dear Mr. President,
I take the liberty to write you a public letter concerning what I believe is a negative contributor to the health of our nation. It is my opinion that guiding councils and role-models presented to young individuals and communities should be achievable, realistic and speak to all levels of physical skill and interest.
It is common knowledge that we as a country are in the midst of a health crisis. I feel strongly that the course traveled by the President’s Council of Physical Fitness and Sport is not a well-rounded example that can positively impact the youth of our nation. Therefore, I present a short esaay on why I think this is important.
Brief Historical Reminder
In 1956, under President Eisenhower, the President’s Council on Youth Fitness was established. Note, the original name of the council “Youth Fitness” as opposed to the current name “President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.”
In its infancy, which I’m sure you are aware, the council was comprised of cabinet secretaries of the present administration. The first council consisted of Vice-President Richard Nixon, 10 cabinet members from Attorney General to Secretary of Defense as well as the council director and one other government official. This placement of high-ranking government officials demonstrated the President’s belief and his willingness to put action behind his words. It was in a simple way, a lean and maneuverable group.
“reveal a need for arousing in the American people a new awareness of the importance of physical and recreational activity.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Under President Kennedy the promotion of increased physical and recreational activity for all Americans became a national priority. The belief that stronger, healthier individuals was good for the nation and moreover for the growth and development of the country. He even addressed the issue publicly prior to being elected to the oval office, in an article published in 1960 for Sports Illustrated titled “The Soft American.”
“The knowledge that the physical well-being of the citizen is an important foundation for the vigor and vitality of all the activities of the nation, is as old as Western civilization itself. But it is a knowledge which today, in America, we are in danger of forgetting.“
“But the harsh fact of the matter is that there is also an increasingly large number of young Americans who are neglecting their bodies—whose physical fitness is not what it should be—who are getting soft. And such softness on the part of individual citizens can help to strip and destroy the vitality of a nation.” President John F. Kennedy
The role of physical fitness still remained a priority for President Johnson, however certain changes under his supervision would eventually lead the council out of the white house. It is at this time that the council started to incorporate sport and celebrity figures into its membership.
Under the Johnson administration baseball star Stan Musial was appointed special consultant to the council and in 1966 the Presidential Physical Fitness Award was established. This award administered by AAHPER (American Alliance of Health, Physical Education and Recreation) “recognized children in good academic standing in the upper 15th percentile on activities such as a softball throw, a broad jump, a 50-yard dash, and a 600-yard walk/run.”
These activities began a trend towards a more sports focused atmosphere. In fact with executive order #11398 the council was renamed The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. In addition, the council moved out of the white house and into what is today the Department of Health and Human Services (formally Department of Health, Education and Welfare).
Without going into a full blown historical overview, which can be found online here, suffice it to say sport figures and celebrity icons would continue to be dominant in the council. For example, in the Carter administration council members included famous names such as chairman, basketball coach Al McGuire, home run hitter Hank Aaron, skating champion Dorothy Hamill as well as entertainment figure Dinah Shore.
Not only do we see an increase in sports heroes in President Reagan’s appointment of George Allen, the legendary NFL coach as a council chair, but the member numbers explode. By the time of the Reagan administration the council was up to 44 members.
Fast forward to today, the council has 26 members and is led by two Co-Chairs: super bowl champion Drew Brees and three-time Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes. Some of the notables are Michelle Kwan, Chris Paul, Billie Jean King and others like Dr. Ian Smith, expert for “Celebrity Fit Club.”
Reflection Moment
I pause for a second here to think about this trend. The council has grown in size, membership relies heavily on celebrity and sports figures, and something I have yet to mention, recently there are multiple government organizations devoted to the topic. A few examples being, Healthy People 2020, The President’s Challenge, and Let’s Move.
Do you see where I’m going with this? First of all, I am by no means stating that these individuals and organizations do not have the best intentions. What I am saying are a super bowl champion, tennis star and celebrity trainer the best role models for our children? Do they present a lifestyle that is achievable and realistic?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the actual number of jobs in the USA recorded in 2010 for athletes and sports alone was 16, 500 total across the country! In a country of 312,746,680 inhabitants that means they constitute not even .005 percent of the population. In addition, “In major sports, such as basketball and football, only about 1 in 5,000 high school athletes become professionals in these sports.”
I am fully aware that council members are not paid and graciously volunteer time. I also understand they only convene once a year, which does not constitute a lot of time for action. Inspiring change requires dedication and ongoing leadership.
The bottom line, has this been effective?
Are we as a nation any healthier, more physically fit and more inspired to move? If you want to see where we have traveled over the last 50 years in terms of health, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) obesity chart is a clear reminder.
Let’s go back to Square 1
The original recommendations that were outlined in the first conference held in June 1956 as found on the council website are below. I believe all our worth a revisit. For our purposes here take note of number 6 and 10.
- The public must be made aware of the problem of establishing and maintaining fitness
- Fitness must be popularized and promoted among youth
- Research on fitness is needed to decide what kind and how much
- Out of school programs should include agencies already working in the field (e.g. Boy and Girl Scouts, YMCA, etc.)
- Funds for any programs and initiatives should come from private industry, foundations, community chests; a greater share of tax revenues should be allocated to community recreation
- Schools should have more time, equipment, and personnel for physical education and should focus increased attention on children who are not athletically gifted, rather than on “stars”
- The standards and prestige of the physical education profession must be raised
- Community recreational facilities should be increased and better use made of existing facilities
- All children must have periodic medical examinations
- Better leadership is needed for physical activity at home, in the school, and in the community, and adults should be role models for physical fitness
- Girls should have equal opportunities for physical fitness
It is not policy or the council alone that sets the stage for individuals or communities to be active. However, it is a recognized standard that carries significant weight. I believe we need to move away from an emphasis on sports and go back to real youth fitness.
This was the goal at the origin of the council. The emphasis was on physical skills, recreational activities and establishing habits to last a life-time.
If I had a magic wand I would:
- Bring the council back to the initial size of 12
- Membership is selected through a nomination process not by celebrity status
- Member positions are paid not volunteer
- Membership must reflect age, culture, ethnic, racial and economic diversity
- Representation includes, art, recreational activity and leisure enthusiasts
- Educational assessments are reinstalled focused on fitness, rhythmic and recreational skills
- Reduce multiple promotional programs to one singular voice
- Bring fun, pleasure and play into the council!
In conclusion, I am not advocating that sports are irrelevant. As the daughter of a former basketball coach I know first hand the great value they bring to individuals and communities.
However, I believe we need more recreational and realistic activities that speak to all Americans and not just those professionally or athletically inclined. Role models and leadership should represent all of us, not just the gifted and selected few.
It is with the deepest of respect and honor for the service you so graciously give to our country. I wish you and your family a joyous 4th of July.
Sincerely,
Krisna Hanks
“Know from whence you came. If you know whence you came, there are absolutely no limitations to where you can go.”
James Arthur Baldwin
