WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (NFFSN) was launched by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius at a ceremony in the Russell Senate Building.
The Foundation was established by Act of Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 22, 2010. The Foundation will work collaboratively with the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition and seek to secure funding and other resource contributions that support the Council in helping all Americans get active, play sports and eat healthier.
“Nearly 55 years ago, President Eisenhower created the President’s Council on Youth Fitness, and viewed it as a ‘catalytic agent’ in promoting the importance of fitness. Now, on this day, we have a similar mission being created, and this legacy will be constructed through the innovation of philanthropic support to enhance the council’s vision of all Americans leading healthy and active lives,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
Secretary Sebelius also announced the appointment of its inaugural Board of Directors, which were appointed by the Secretary in consultation with the bipartisan leadership of Congress. The governing members include the following:
- Tom McMillen, Chairperson of the Board; CEO, Homeland Security Capital Corporation
- Cindy Sisson Hensley, Secretary of the Board; President, CSH Consulting
- Scott Blackmun, CEO, United States Olympic Committee
- Cris Collinsworth, Sports Analyst & Commentator, NBC Sports
- Patrick Cunnane, CEO, Advanced Sports International
- Raul Fernandez, Chairman, ObjectVideo
- Rockne Freitas, Vice President for Student Affairs, University of Hawai‘i System
- Maureen Peckman, Chief Emerging Business Officer, Cleveland Clinic – Nevada
- David Rone, Executive, Evolution Media Capital LLC
The Board of Directors also includes the following ex-officio members:
- Ursula Bauer, Director, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
- Thomas Frieden, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health, HHS
- Shellie Pfohl, Executive Director, President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition
- Susan Shurin, Acting Director, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
“We face a national obesity and physical inactivity crisis. To make a difference for our nation, we need significant resources,” said NFFSN Chairperson, Tom McMillen. “Working together, President Obama and the Congress created the Foundation to bring the resources, expertise and creativity of the private sector to bear on this crisis. To this end, I want to particularly thank Senator Warner and Representative Sarbanes for their tireless efforts to secure the legislation’s passage,” McMillen added.
The Foundation has already obtained over $500,000 of in-kind commitments from the following organizations: BHPi3-Book Hill Partners, Hogan Lovells, José Andrés Think Food Group, Nemours, United States Olympic Committee and Rex Media.
“This Foundation was born out of the President’s vision that encourages others to believe in the power of new ideas that catalyze change to create a nation that fosters a healthy lifestyle. From this thinking the Foundation is empowered to raise support for initiatives that advance the purpose of the Council for which all people may benefit and live long and healthy lives,” said Cindy Sisson Hensley, Secretary of the Board, NFFSN.
About NFFSN
The National Foundation on Fitness Sports and Nutrition is a congressionally chartered foundation that was created on December 22, 2010 when President Obama signed the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Establishment Act. The Foundation supports the mission of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition by encouraging funding and other resource contributions that support the purposes of the Council in helping all Americans get active, play sports and eat healthier. For more information on the Foundation visit www.thenationalfitnessfoundation.org.
About PCFSN
The President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN) is a committee of up to 25 volunteer citizens appointed by the President to serve in an advisory capacity through the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Through its programs and partnerships with the public, private and non-profit sectors, PCFSN serves as a catalyst to promote healthy lifestyles through fitness, sports and nutrition programs and initiatives that educate, empower and engage Americans of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. For more information about PCFSN visit www.fitness.gov. For more information about the President’s Challenge programs, including the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) visit www.presidentschallenge.org.