SGMA International is taking a strong stance against President George Bush’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2006. The President’s budget calls for reduced funding for key physical education and recreation initiatives. SGMA is pushing for those fiscal cuts to be reversed.

President Bush’s FY 2006 budget proposal calls for a $19 million cut in the Carol M. White Physical Education for Progress (PEP) Program-from $74 million in 2005 to $55 million in 2006. The PEP Program provides funds directly to schools for the purchase of sports/fitness equipment and for training/hiring of more P.E. teachers. The budget also includes a $92.5 million cut in the nation’s primary federal funding source for local parks, fields and trails development — the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Even more alarming, the budget anticipates zero funding for these two programs in future years, allocating funds to so-called “other priorities.”

The President’s budget now goes to Congress for analysis, refinement and approval. Final decisions on the FY 2006 budget are likely to be made by September 30.

“It is almost inconceivable, during a time of intense public awareness of obesity and physical inactivity, for our government to turn away from two very cost effective programs, which promote healthy lifestyles through physical activity,” said SGMA President/CEO Tom Cove.

“The PEP program is a catalyst in revitalizing physical education in the United States,” observed Cove. “Because of PEP, we are seeing fundamental changes in the way our children are introduced to sports, fitness and health. We should double PEP funding rather than eliminate it in light of the benefits society will see in the years to come.”

“In the case of LWCF, the idea of terminating the very program that makes parks, trails, soccer fields, baseball diamonds, basketball courts and playgrounds available to the general public simply does not make sense,” said Cove. “In crowded urban and suburban centers, we must invest in safe, accessible places for people to play, relax and be healthy. As a country, we must recommit to be physically active. These budget cuts are taking us in the wrong direction.”

The emphasis by SGMA on the PEP Bill and the LWCF reflects the sporting goods industry’s consensus that physical activity represents a critical element in the nation’s growing battle against obesity.

To push for continued support of the PEP Program and the LWCF, the sporting goods industry and P.E.4Life will gather in Washington, D.C. on May 3-4, 2005 for National P.E. Day festivities. Anyone interested in participating in this lobbying effort should contact SGMA’s office in Washington, D.C.-202-775-1762 or info@sgma.com.

Participation in National P.E. Day is a chance for the sporting goods industry to send a strong message to the Bush Administration that the PEP program is an important and vital program which must be supported.