Physical education gets the nod on Capitol Hill! Congress has finalized a 20% increase in funding for the Physical Education for Progress (PEP) program. This funding, part of the omnibus spending act, is expected to be approved today. The bottom line is . . . $60 million in 2003 will be provided in grants to local school districts and community organizations. PEP funding was $50 million in 2002 and $5 million in 2001.

PEP grant funds are used to purchase fitness/sports equipment and train teachers in innovative physical education programs. In the two years since the program was initiated, the PEP program has provided treadmills, heart rate monitors, inline skates, climbing walls, ski equipment, fitness assessment technology, as well as a wide range of traditional sports equipment.

"Securing funding for the PEP program is the top legislative priority for SGMA International and P.E.4LIFE," said SGMA International's Tom Cove, vice president for government affairs. "This represents a great success and shows what the sporting goods industry can do when it works toward a unified goal. The fact that Congress increased PEP funding from $5 million to $50 million to $60 million shows that this is a critically important initiative for our country, as well as a great program for the sports industry."

This effort was also supported by NASPE, thousands of P.E. instructors and advocates across the country, IHRSA, NCPPA, the American Heart Association, and many others.

"This is outstanding news," said Anne Flannery, executive director of P.E.4LIFE. "The increased investment into the PEP program confirms that Congress views physical education as a key part of any solution to the epidemic obesity crisis among our nation's children."

Applications from local schools will be accepted by the U. S. Department of Education beginning in March. Grants will be awarded in September.

P.E.4LIFE is a non-profit organization formed to promote and expand quality physical education programs in America's schools.

SGMA International, owner of The Super Show, is the global business trade association of manufacturers and marketers of sports apparel, athletic footwear, licensed products, fitness, sporting goods equipment, and related business/professional organizations. SGMA International advances members' interests through a major trade show, market research, communications, public policy, sports promotion, and international business development programs.