The Great Outdoors is getting the attention it needs and deserves -- thanks to the introduction of the Great Outdoors Act. Introduced by Representatives Don Young (R-AK) and George Miller (D-CA), this bill will help improve the health and quality of life of Americans by promoting active lifestyles through recreation, sports, and fitness. SGMA International, the global business trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products industry, applauds this federal bill.

The Get Outdoors Act, also known as the GO Bill, will establish a multi-billion dollar trust fund to support a broad array of recreation, conservation, wildlife, historic preservation and park maintenance programs. Annual allocations of $450 million to the state assistance account of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and $125 million to the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery program will make an immediate impact on the recreation inventories in communities around the country.

"This legislation will move the needle toward a long term, important goal, namely a permanent funding source to provide recreation infrastructure for all Americans. The "Get Outdoors" bill will address pressing funding needs for trails, parks, wild lands, ball fields, courts, and playgrounds. This bill will greatly enhance the ability of every American to engage in the recreation of their choosing. The goal is noble, the time is right and the need is growing every day. We applaud the bi- partisan leadership of Representatives Young and Miller and look forward to working to pass this bill," said Tom Cove, SGMA Vice President of Government Affairs.

"As our citizens come to understand the need to engage in healthy, physically active lifestyles, we must ensure all Americans have an accessible place and space to recreate," added Cove. "With the obesity epidemic threatening to overwhelm our health care system in the future, it is an economic imperative as well as a quality of life concern that we make it easy, safe and attractive for Americans to get off the couch and get outside."

"We plan to mobilize our friends and colleagues in the youth sports and physical activity advocacy communities to support this effort," added Cove. "Together we are at the forefront of the national discussion of getting Americans engaged in healthy lifestyles. This bill offers the promise of real solutions to problems of obesity brought on by physical inactivity. We anticipate strong support for this legislation from the grassroots sports community."