| Obesity is the fastest-growing
cause of illness and death in America today and costs our health
care system as much as $147 billion a year. Federal funding
initiatives could end these negative trends.
MENDOTA
HEIGHTS, MN -- March 15, 2010 – Representatives
from Everlast Climbing traveled to the nation’s
capital to participate in the 11th annual National Health
Through Fitness Day. Company officials joined well-known
athletes, such as Annika Sörenstam and Herschel
Walker, as well as other sporting goods and fitness manufacturers,
physical educators and association leaders to raise awareness
of the need to fund programs that encourage the development
of lifetime physical activity.
Everlast
Climbing, a leading company in the youth fitness industry,
was one of 40 company sponsors of the March 10 event, which
was organized by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association.
The consortium met with U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators
to discuss the importance of federal funding to support quality
physical education in schools and to encourage more physical
activity for families by making it more affordable.
Specifically,
Congress was asked to approve the Carol M. White Physical Education
Program (PEP) in Fiscal Year 2011. This program provides the
only dedicated federal money to school districts and community-based
organizations for physical education and innovative physical
activity methods.
Tim
Sudeith, General Manager of Everlast Climbing, and Lyle Helke,
its Sales Director, delivered the key message that support
for PEP funding makes a difference in the health and fitness
of our country’s youth. They held meetings with staff
from the offices of Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Al Franken, Congressman
James Oberstar and Congresswoman Betty McCollum.
“It
was amazing to be a part of democracy in action,” said
Helke. “I was really moved by the level of commitment
of the entire Minnesota delegation.”
Additionally,
Sudeith and Helke met with Congressman Tim Walz, representing
Minnesota’s 1st District, who conveyed his commitment
to combating childhood obesity and his support of PEP funding.
The
startling facts about the inactivity of our nation’s
youth highlight the need for programs like PEP. Recess is not
a regular part of the schedule in many schools, less than 10%
of U.S. schools have daily physical education classes for their
students and 46% of high school students receive no physical
education.
“I
can say without a doubt that our presence made a tangible difference,” noted
Sudeith. “Our message was well-received and we were proud
to help sponsor this event and show our corporate commitment
to supporting initiatives that promote fitness.”
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