CRIST ESTABLISHES GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON PHYSICAL FITNESS
March 26, 2007
Contact:
ERIN ISAAC
(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE � Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 07-52, establishing the Governor�s Council on Physical Fitness. The Governor traveled to Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami to promote the council�s goals and to announce the launch of the Healthy Floridians Web site.
�Physical fitness, recreation and sound nutrition are central components of a healthy, meaningful and productive life,� said Governor Crist. �Promoting health and wellness is an important part of encouraging all Floridians to choose lifelong exercise and eating habits that combat obesity and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases.�
The Governor�s Council on Physical Fitness will develop a state plan of action to increase Floridians� level of physical fitness through regular exercise and sound nutritional practices. The goal is to reduce the number of Floridians who suffer from chronic diseases resulting from obesity within the next ten years.
The council will review the implementation of daily physical education courses for elementary school students (grades K-5) and the feasibility of providing similar physical education courses for middle and high school students (grades 6-12) by the year 2012. Members will evaluate the nutritional value of school lunches, availability of certified physical education teachers and the possibility of school districts maintaining independent fitness advisory panels.
�Florida has the unique potential to become a national leader in health and physical fitness due to our beautiful climate and abundance of award-winning beaches, state parks, and greenways and trails,� said Governor Crist. �By utilizing these natural resources and developing partnerships among government, business, community organizations, and private citizens, we can accomplish the goal of improved physical fitness and health for all Floridians.�
State employee wellness programs will be assessed to determine which strategies are most effective in promoting fitness and nutrition in the workplace. The council will determine the availability of healthy snack and drink options in schools and workplace vending machines. The state plan of action will include the promotion of Florida agriculture in school and workplace meal plans and a Governor�s Recognition Program to distinguish healthy schools, communities, worksites, and health care settings.
�There is no better place than Florida to enjoy a healthy lifestyle,� said Governor Crist. �We should be pro-active and committed to helping each other. Together we can shift the focus of health care in Florida from treating chronic diseases to preventing them.�
Governor�s Council on Physical Fitness Web site: www.HealthyFloridians.com
Detailed information on the Governor�s Council on Physical Fitness can be found at www.HealthyFloridians.com. The Web site contains information on programs and services offered by the State of Florida and the federal government. Sections include Children�s Health, Healthy Seniors, and Maternal Health, among others. An obesity prevention section incorporates a body mass index calculator, while the parks and recreation section provides information about Florida�s State Parks and links to outdoor activity resources across the state. Development of the Web site will continue in order to incorporate the findings of the council.
State agencies under the direction of the Governor involved with coordination and implementation of the state physical fitness plan include the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Department of Elder Affairs, the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Children and Families, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Citrus. Each agency contributed to the development of the Healthy Floridians Web site and will update the Web resource to include new programs and services as information becomes available.
Appointments to the Governor�s Council on Physical Fitness
The Governor�s Council on Physical Fitness will consist of 15-20 members appointed by the Governor to serve a term beginning on April 23, 2007, and ending July 23, 2008. Members of the council will reflect a broad range of interested parties, including, but not limited to elementary, secondary, and public university representatives, health care practitioners, advocates for senior citizens and person with special needs, physical fitness and sports organizations, parks and recreation experts, business community and corporate interests, state and local government representatives and private citizens. Floridians interested in an appointment to the Governor�s Council on Physical Fitness can apply online at www.flgov.com and www.HealthyFloridians.com. Applications will be accepted through April 13, 2007.
The council will provide the Governor with a state plan of action to promote physical fitness and nutrition. The plan will include program and policy recommendations to coordinate private sector initiatives with relevant programs in state agencies and will be delivered to the Governor in draft form by August 1, 2007. The final version will be delivered to the Governor, Senate President, and Speaker of the House by December 1, 2007.
Today in Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami Governor Crist was joined by several professional athletes who will serve as members of the Governor�s Council on Physical Fitness. In Jacksonville, Governor Crist toured the CSX Wellness Center and was accompanied by former Olympian Shannon Miller. In Tampa, Governor Crist visited the George M. Steinbrenner Boys & Girls Club and was joined by Derrick Brooks, who will serve as chairman of the council. In Miami, Governor Crist visited the Hank Klein Boys & Girls Club with Jennifer Capriati. Rocco Baldelli, Ken Griffey Jr., Shaquille O�Neal and Corey Simon will also serve on the council.
�I am so grateful to the professional athletes who are becoming involved with this important council,� said Governor Crist. �They are really setting an example for the people of Florida, especially the children we are encouraging to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.�
Derrick Brooks, council chairman, is a linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and founder of Derrick Brooks Charities Inc., an organization that provides educational trips, scholarships and recycled sporting equipment to children of low-income families in Florida. Brooks graduated from Florida State University.
Rocco Baldelli is the starting center fielder for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He founded the Rocco Baldelli Foundation, a non-profit Web site aimed at providing scholarships for private education to academically and athletically gifted students.
Jennifer Capriati earned 17 Women�s Tennis Association Tour titles in singles tennis. She is a former Olympian who at age 13 was recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee as Athlete of the Year in the sport of tennis.
Nancy Hogshead-Makar is a faculty member at Florida Coastal School of Law and advocates for gender equity in sports. Hogshead-Makar won three Olympic gold medals in swimming. She is a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and graduated from Duke University.
Ken Griffey Jr. is the starting center fielder for the Cincinnati Reds. He was the 1999-2000 Major League Baseball Player of the Decade. Griffey serves on the National Board of Directors of the Boys & Girl Clubs of America.
Shannon Miller hosts a weekly television show entitled �Gymnastics USA with Shannon Miller� and serves as a USA Gymnastics Women�s National Team Athlete Representative. Miller is the most decorated American gymnast, having earned seven career Olympic and nine world championship medals. She graduated from the University of Houston.
Shaquille O’Neal has played for the Miami Heat since 2004. His NBA career began in 1993 and includes four seasons with the Orlando Magic and eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, who were three-time NBA champions in 2000-2002. He attended Louisiana State University and left after his junior year; he completed his degree in 2000.
Corey Simon is a defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts. He founded the Corey Simon Success Center in Tallahassee to enhance the educational opportunities for local underprivileged children with after-school and summer programs. Simon graduated from Florida State University.
Additional appointments to the Governor�s Council on Physical Fitness will be announced prior to April 23, 2007.
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 07-52
AN ORDER ESTABLISHING THE GOVERNOR�S COUNCIL ON PHYSICAL FITNESS
WHEREAS, the health of its citizens is vital to the state of Florida; and
WHEREAS, physical fitness, recreation and sound nutrition are central components of a healthy, meaningful, and productive life; and
WHEREAS, according to the Department of Health, an estimated 60% of adults in Florida are overweight or obese and an estimated 25% of high school age children in the state are currently overweight or at risk of becoming overweight; and
WHEREAS, excess weight and sedentary lifestyles are associated with a majority of chronic diseases and disabling conditions in children, adults, and seniors, such as type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure and hypertension; and
WHEREAS, promoting health and wellness by the state is an important part of encouraging all citizens to choose lifelong exercise and eating habits that combat obesity and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases; and
WHEREAS, an increased emphasis in physical fitness will serve as a catalyst to shift the central focus of health care in the state from treating chronic diseases to preventing chronic diseases; and
WHEREAS, a partnership among government, businesses, community organizations, and private citizens can accomplish the goal of improved physical fitness and health for all Floridians;
WHEREAS, the State of Florida has the unique potential to become a national leader in health, physical fitness, and outdoor living activities due to the abundance of award-winning beaches, state parks, greenways and trails;
NOW THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Florida Constitution, and all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take effect immediately:
Section 1.
The Governor�s Council on Physical Fitness (�Council�) is established to develop a state plan of action to increase physical fitness through regular exercise and sound nutrition practices among Floridians of all ages and to reduce the rate of obesity and resulting chronic diseases in Floridians within the next ten years.
Section 2.
The Council shall consist of 15-20 members appointed by the Governor. Members shall serve a term beginning on April 23, 2007 through July 23, 2008. All appointees shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor, and the Governor may fill any vacancy that occurs. Membership of the Council shall reflect a broad spectrum of interested parties, including, but not limited to:
a. Elementary, secondary, and public university representatives;
b. Health care practitioners;
c. Senior citizen advocates;
d. Advocates for persons with special needs;
e. Physical fitness and sports organizations;
f. Parks and recreation experts;
g. Business community and corporate interests;
h. State and local government representatives; and
i. Private citizens of Florida.
The State Surgeon General shall also serve as a member of the Council. From the members, the Governor will appoint a Chair. The Chair will act as the Governor�s leading voice with state agencies and the public and private sectors on matters that relate to physical fitness and obesity prevention. The Council shall meet at a time and place designated by the Chair.
Section 3.
The Council shall develop a state plan of action to promote physical fitness and sound nutrition and reduce the rate of obesity and chronic disease in Florida�s children, adults, and senior citizens. In addition, the state plan shall provide program and policy recommendations for ways to coordinate and streamline private sector activities with all relevant public sector programs in the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Department of Elder Affairs, the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Children and Families, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Department of Community Affairs, and the Department of Transportation.
The state plan of action shall consider, but not be limited to, the following:
a. The proper implementation of physical education courses every day for all elementary school students (K-5);
b. The feasibility of providing physical education courses and activities every day for all students at the middle and high school (6-12) grade levels by the year 2012, with a particular emphasis on graduation requirements, ADA compliance, and additional impacts on the school day;
c. The extent to which a healthy lifestyle paradigm is embedded in the Sunshine State Standards and secondary school curricula;
d. Barriers to the provision of sufficient physical education within schools, including facilities limitations;
e. The correlation between physical education and academic achievement;
f. The feasibility of creating student fitness and wellness centers in schools and using such facilities both for physical education courses, as well as after-school and evening programs that encourage whole-family fitness;
g. The extent to which Colleges of Education prepare physical education teachers to teach 21st century fitness;
h. The availability and provision of professional development to recruit and retain certified physical education teachers;
i. The possibility of having every school district maintain an independent physical fitness advisory panel to make further recommendations for student fitness testing every year beginning in the first grade;
j. The nutritional value of school lunches and any barriers to providing nutritionally-sound, attractive school lunches at the elementary, middle, and high school levels;
k. The availability of healthy snack and drink options in public and private schools and workplace vending machines;
l. The promotion and inclusion of Florida agriculture, including fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats, in school and workplace meal plans;
m. The success of state employee wellness programs to determine which strategies are most effective in order to publish model policies for government agencies and private employers to learn from and adopt;
n. The implementation of recommendations made by the 2004 Governor�s Task Force on the Obesity Epidemic;
o. The development of a Governor�s Recognition program, recognizing healthy schools, communities, worksites, and healthcare settings;
p. The expansion of public awareness and access to existing programs that encourage healthy lifestyles through activities in Florida�s state parks, beaches, greenways, and trails;
q. The implementation of a healthy lifestyle paradigm in the planning and design of Florida�s communities;
r. The feasibility of making community roadways and transportation compatible with outdoor living and pedestrian activity; and
s. The development of a strategy to increase public awareness of physical fitness initiatives through a comprehensive public service campaign.
The Council shall compile its findings and present an initial draft of its state plan of action to the Governor by August 1, 2007. A second draft of the state plan shall be due to the Governor no later than October 1, 2007. By December 1, 2007, the Council shall submit the final, comprehensive state plan to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the Governor.
Section 4.
Members of the Governor�s Council shall serve without compensation, but may receive per diem and travel expenses while attending Council meetings to the extent allowed by Section 112.061, Florida Statutes, and to the extent that funds are available. Per diem and travel expenses shall be paid in accordance with Chapter 112, Florida Statutes. The Department of Health shall provide administrative support for the Governor�s Council on Physical Fitness and provide technical assistance, as needed.
Section 5.
All agencies under the control of the Governor are directed, and all other agencies are requested, to render full assistance and cooperation to the Governor�s Council on Physical Fitness.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 26th day of March, 2007.