Physical education in American schools is getting the attention it deserves. For the first time ever, the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee has included $60 million for the SGMA International-backed Carol M. White Physical Education for Progress (PEP) Program in the education spending bill.

The PEP Bill is a grant program which delivers vitally needed funds to enhance local physical education programs. "While this is not the final step in securing PEP funding this year, this was the biggest hurdle to clear," said Tom Cove, SGMA's vice president for government affairs. "The sporting goods industry and the physical education advocacy community have worked for four years to get the House of Representatives on record in support of PEP, and this action reflects real progress in changing the way America values physical education. We're very pleased." SGMA praised supportive members of the House Subcommittee including Representatives Kay Granger (R-TX), Roger Wicker (R-MS), John Peterson (R-PA), Randy Cunningham (R-CA), Don Sherwood (R-PA), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), and Nita Lowey (D-NY).

The U.S. Senate, where the PEP bill has traditionally fared well, will take up its version of the education appropriations bill in committee next week. Congressional negotiators will then convene to finalize a unified bill authorizing exact spending levels for next year.

Cove identified a massive congressional education campaign, conducted as part of this year's National P.E. Day celebration, as particularly helpful in getting legislators to focus on physical education as a response to the growing childhood obesity epidemic. More than 70 well-known athletes, sporting goods manufacturers, sports retailers, physical educators, and civic leaders visited Capitol Hill to participate in P.E.4LIFE's 3rd Annual National P.E. Day activities, presented by SGMA International. They lobbied Congress for PEP funding in our nation's schools.

Some of the more prominent athletes in this delegation included Larry Holmes (former world heavyweight boxing champion), Tiki Barber (NFL's New York Giants), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (U.S. Olympic track & field gold medalist), Mia Hamm (World Cup soccer champion/U.S. Olympic gold medalist), Gary Williams (University of Maryland men's basketball coach), John Calipari (University of Memphis men's basketball coach), Mike Kohn (U.S. Olympic bobsledder), Tori Allen (rockclimber), and father-son NFL quarterbacks Archie (ex-New Orleans Saints) and Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts).

Some of the sports industry leaders included many members of SGMA International's board of directors - including Richard Kazmaier (SR Industries), Kirk Stewart (Nike), George Horowitz (Everlast Worldwide), Tom Rogge (Cramer Products), Carol Mabe (Russell Athletic), Bob Mang (Galyan's Trading Company), Marty Hanaka (The Sports Authority), among others.

The PEP program provides grants to school districts and community organizations to upgrade local physical education programs. PEP grants range from $75,000 to $500,000 and can be used to purchase sports equipment and train teachers in innovative physical education techniques. In the past, PEP grants have purchased heart rate monitors, fitness assessment technology, inline skates, climbing walls, cross country skis, treadmills and fly fishing rods, as well as a wide range of traditional sports equipment.

The program was funded at $60 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2003, $50 Million in FY 2002 and $5 million in its first year, FY 2001.

SGMA International, owner of The Super Show, is the global business trade association of manufacturers, retailers and marketers in the sports products industry. SGMA International fosters industry growth and advances members' interests through market research, communications, public policy, sports promotion, and international business development programs. More information about SGMA International can be found at the Association Web site.