SGMA Applauds Proposed $80 Million for PEP in 2011

July 30, 2010

The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) is delighted with the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approval of $80 million in funding for the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) in 2011. This Senate action took place late yesterday afternoon – July 29. The U.S. House of Representatives will complete work on its 2011 education funding bill later this fall. In recent years, the House and Senate have proposed similar funding for PEP.

PEP is a competitive grant program managed by the U.S. Department of Education. PEP grants are awarded to schools and community based organizations that provide quality physical education/physical activity programs for America's youth. This funding is a top priority in SGMA’s commitment to provide quality physical education through schools and community based organizations.

"The PEP program is a federally funded initiative that has worked since day one and continues to reap health care ‘dividends’ for children in the United States,” said SGMA President Tom Cove. “As our childhood and adult obesity rates continue to climb, programs like PEP need to be implemented to help reverse those trends. Right now, it’s important that we promote a cultural change in America that encourages physically active lifestyles. PEP will inspire the younger generation to be active and more health conscious. If we fail, this country will face a huge health care crisis in the not too distant future.”

Since the initial PEP grants in 2001, more than $600 million in PEP grants have been awarded to school districts and community based organizations. PEP funds have successfully enhanced K-12 physical education and community based organizations’ physical activity programs across the country. PEP grants are used for training in state-of-the-art health, fitness and wellness-based physical education methods; the addition of new technology such as heart-rate monitors and pedometers; and the acquisition of innovative P.E. equipment such as elliptical machines, treadmills, rock climbing walls, in-line skates, ‘exergames,’ and stationary bikes.

The integration of new thinking, new products, and new technology form the platform on which today’s quality PE programs are built.

The main base of support for PEP is generated by SGMA’s National Health-through-Fitness Day which took place on Wednesday, March 10th in Washington, D.C. SGMA organizes this day-long lobbying effort which features well known athletes and coaches, sporting goods and fitness equipment manufacturers, retailers, health care leaders, concerned citizens, association leaders, P.E. teachers, and other physical education advocates. The goal of this initiative is for SGMA members and PE partners/supporters to have discussions with Members of Congress on Capitol Hill about this national fitness issue. SGMA’s key partners in pushing for PEP include PE4life, NASPE, Outdoor Industry Association, IHRSA, NSGA, National Coalition to Promote Physical Activity, and the National Recreation and Parks Association.

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