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Dear Ask America Supporters,

How much can be accomplished in one eight hour day? Well, actually, if the conditions are just right, you can move a mountain!... especially if....... you happen to have millions of supporters, 730 days of preparation, a handful of dedicated volunteers, and one extraordinary lifetime of experience!

The very special eight hour day in question, July 24th 2008, began early for Richard and his Ask America Team. A 7am meeting with our favorite education "wonk" (term for education policy reporter), David Hoff, who shadowed us the entire day, (and claimed it was his most fun day of work in 12 years) started the ball rolling.

Next, a quick ride to Capitol Hill. Driving past many of the breathtakingly magnificent Washington Memorials and Monuments, reminded all that clearly, this was no ordinary day.

First stop, the Russel Senate Building Rotunda. Yes, the very same place all the Senators and Congressmen do their political interviews. An interview on Fox and Friends was the first of a jam packed FULL Press Day.

Click here (Press Coverage) to see ALL the day's PRESS and Richard's complete testimony, when you're ready!

Finally, it was time to make our way to the Hearing Room in the Rayburn Building. It's fair to say that while everyone was excited, there were more than a few butterflies in the stomach. After all, this was Congress and there was no dress rehearsal. You only get one shot to make your point, and in this case, speak for all the parents, teachers and students counting on you. Just a little pressure.

Chairman George Miller, whom Richard refers to as the Gatekeeper, opened the proceedings with an explanation of why we were there and what he hoped would be accomplished.....a frank discussion about the undeniable obesity and inactivity crisis facing our children, and the school system's unique position to do something about it.

Our utterly fantastic Congressmen, Ron Kind, Wisconsin, and Zach Wamp, Tennessee, were the first panel to speak. With genuine passion and enthusiasm, both men laid out the need for and the framework of, the FIT Kids Bill. It's fair to say at this point that the bill has changed a little. Rather than part of a reauthorization package, it is currently, a stand alone bill, and that is in great part thanks to you and your letter writing campaign. Chairman Miller said "Richard (you) has been such an advocate for the issue" (that it could not be ignored). Of course, even the Chairman wanted to know if Richard had on his "outfit" under the suit!

Richard was the first of the second panel to speak. Each speaker was allotted 5 minutes. A green light signaled the speaker to begin, a yellow light indicated one minute left and red meant stop now, and now, meant now!

Richard read no notes, but spoke instead from his heart and a lifetime of thoughts. There was no doubt that he was giving what he considered the most important speech of his entire career.

Over and over each speaker, a medical expert, the director of PE in New York City, a student advocate, a Heisman trophy winning football player, the nation's most recognized fitness expert, reiterated a dire situation. Diabetes and other obesity/inactivity related illnesses are on course to become pandemic in the next generation of adults, great programs exist but do not reach enough children and parents, kids want to move, even the "jocks" are out of shape, and the parents and teachers are begging for help.

The question and answer period that followed was most fascinating. The majority of questions were directed at Richard, and he answered them all. From the problems with NCLB to relating to ALL kids through what they understand best, and to just getting them to MOVE period.

Chairman Miller's final remarks gave high praise to the entire panel, and noted key points including, incorporating more activity in to every aspect of the school day, recognizing that these are "digital" children and as such, PE needs to be updated, and most importantly, highlighting one of Richard's key points as the bottom line: "this has to be about them, the kids, it's about them."

Unfortunately, we were late to the "PRO PE RALLY"(immediately following the Hearing) as the Hearing ran over 20 minutes, and we simply could NOT leave, this was too important. In fact, to show you the impact that Richard had on the media attention and therefore attention in general to this issue, Chairman Miller finally said to the gallery and the enormous press corps, "we need to wrap this up, (looking at Richard), you have a rally to lead, and secondarily, we have a House vote to get to!"

Finally, we all changed in to our familiar gear, and had a ball exercising and motivating the crowd on the Cannon Terrace.

At the conclusion of the Rally, in the brightest sunshine, with the Dome of the Capitol looming in the background, one might suspect that it was the perfect end to a near perfect day, but no! No rest for the weary. Besides a final debriefing and press conference in Congressman Kind's office, there came an impromptu invitation to visit CNN's Situation Room. In fact, the phone NEVER stopped ringing. Media from "every walk of life" were on the story and wanted an interview. It was almost too much! Our Washington contacts are ECSTATIC!
The Chairman was very, very pleased with the hearing and there is still a buzz about Richard Simmons on the Hill. He definitely got his point across and gave captivating testimony
Now, most importantly: what's next for FIT Kids?

OK, here's where you come in again. Congressman Kind explained that currently FIT Kids has 71 signed co-sponsors. That's great, but we need that number to be in the triple digits. FIT Kids has a real chance of passing this year, as a "bill of substance", or, if not, then next year, when more work is done on the reworkings of education standards. IN EITHER CASE, WE NEED ANOTHER LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN to remind Congress we mean business.

They have the POWER to prevent those dire unhealthy predictions from happening. THEY/WE, CAN CHANGE THE OUTCOME.

Even if your Congressman is already a co-sponsor of FIT Kids, our new letter thanks them and asks them to encourage their colleagues to do the same. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO WRITE AGAIN, and ASK YOUR FRIENDS and FAMILY to as well. WE ARE SO CLOSE! We did it once, we can do it again!

Write Congress

So much to tell, so little space to tell it. ABOVE ALL ELSE, THANK YOU, you are now part of HISTORY and POLICY. What a feeling!

Some skeptics feel that these sort of hearings may be used to mask a lack of accomplishment on the "bigger" issues, but,.........do we not have to start going in the right direction....somewhere?

A long time ago, Congressman Wamp said "I'm bettin' on us". Well, we don't think he's the only one anymore.
We are proud of you Richard, and, we are proud of you loyal supporters. Thank you.

The Ask America Team