WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A delegation of well known athletes, sporting goods manufacturers, sports retailers, concerned citizens and association leaders will visit Capitol Hill to lobby Congress for continued funding of daily PE classes in our nation's schools for National PE Day on May 3 in Washington, D.C.
This alliance will walk the halls of Congress campaigning for the Carol M. White Physical Education for Progress Bill, which provides grants to local school districts to purchase equipment and hire/train teachers for innovative physical education programs. This consortium is pushing Congress to pass this bill for $70 million to $100 million to continue this program. The group plans meetings with nearly 100 U.S. Senators and Representatives in Washington.
Some of the people in this delegation will include former Heisman Trophy winners Herschel Walker and Tim Brown; NFL Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winslow and ex-NFL quarterback Archie Manning; and former Boston Celtics superstar center Bill Russell. Other sports celebrities scheduled to appear include current women's tennis pro Jennifer Capriati, George Mason head basketball coach Jim Larranaga, Major League Soccer player Alecko Eskandarian, NFL wide receiver Antwaan Randle-El, U.S. women's national soccer team member Tiffany Roberts, WNBA star Alana Beard (Washington Mystics), boxer Peter Manfredo, Jr. and former WNBA player Jennifer Azzi.
In fiscal year 2001, the PEP Bill was approved for $5 million. In fiscal year 2002, Congress allotted $50 million; $60 million in fiscal year 2003; $70 million in fiscal year 2004; $73.4 million in fiscal year 2005; and $72.7 million in fiscal year 2006. PE4life and the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association organized the day.