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Dear Ask America Supporters,
STAND UP......ON YOUR FEET, RIGHT NOW,(OR AT THE VERY LEAST, SIT UP TALL)...... AND EVERYBODY......EVERYBODY..... TAKE A BOW!!!!!!!
WHY????? BECAUSE TOGETHER.....WE HAVE MADE THE ONCE SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE .........HAPPEN!
Just over 48 hours ago, RICHARD learned that he will be returning to WASHINGTON D.C. very shortly, to testify before the U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EDUCATION and LABOR COMMITTEE,.... on our behalf...
Thursday, June 26, word came:
(regarding ISSUES related to "FIT KIDS") Chairman Miller wants to move a bill on this forward.
and:
The Committee has scheduled the PE hearing for Thursday, July 24th at 10am. This will be a Full-Committee hearing.
WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED? As late as last week, we were told that the chances of any significant "movement" on Education reform, before we had a new administration, was something less than zero!
Even more so, (in fact from the very beginning), we were consistently cautioned that the likelihood of a stand alone PE bill or a hearing focusing solely on the subject was just about next to impossible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We were contacted by our long-time legislative adviser in Congressman Zach Wamp's office, and were able to ask him, these very questions. His explanation, should make you very, very proud.
Because of "the grass roots movement this issue has generated, the committee felt the need to address it." (In fact, the hearing was set around Richard's ability, ("YOUR" ABILITY), to be there.)
Richard accepted the extraordinary invitation the very next day:
Good Morning,
(I am) very, very honored to be present, and to testify, at the Physical Education Hearing on July 24th at 10:00am. We, (the Ask America Team) are all incredibly happy, pleased and mildly shocked that PE will actually "have it's day in court", so to speak! THANK YOU for not giving up (on us).
In fact, as fate would have it, (I am) booked for (Late Night) David Letterman, exactly one week later, on July 31st. Not a bad first follow-up interview!
Representatives, Kind, Wamp, and Inslee, (R., G. who hung in there with us from the very beginning), and of course, K.) too, thank you for believing in us. On behalf of (myself), the Ask America Team, and the thousands, probably closer to millions, of teachers, parents and kids (I) speak on behalf of, thank you so very much, this is an amazing opportunity that (I) do not take lightly. (I will do my) best to deliver exactly what you need.
With sincere gratitude,
Richard Simmons
With relatively little time to prepare, and wanting to be sure you knew almost as soon as we did, we have had to celebrate quickly, and move on to getting ready...fast.
Richard would like to invite ALL of you, parents, teachers, supporters and students, to send a brief note with ANY THOUGHTS YOU MAY WANT TO SUGGEST HE MENTION IN HIS TESTIMONY. We did read all and have saved many of, your past e-mails for reference, but feel free to write again.
Through this hearing, if absolutely noting else, we will certainly accomplish keeping the broad issue of EDUCATION, specifically, the issues of CHILDHOOD PHYSICAL FITNESS, EDUCATION, and overall HEALTH, fresh in the minds of the Congress, the Candidates and the Public as we approach the election season.
Our original summer plans are still progressing nicely too. Various members of the prestigious President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sport, will be joining Richard on Lighten Up, his SIRIUS radio program, throughout the summer months. More on that as each interview approaches.
In closing. There are only two words yet to be spoken here, but they carry the weight of over two years of hard work, blood, sweat, tears and stubbornness! On behalf of RICHARD and Ask America as a whole:
THANK YOU.
The "grass roots " support from you, and all the friends, relatives, co-workers, and complete strangers you "persuaded" to call, write and e-mail Congress...........has paid off. If nothing else today, we hope that you feel a little more optimistic, about the power of one for all.
Stay tuned, the best just may be yet to come.
ASK AMERICA
PS More on any changes and/or TV coverage (C-Span etc..) as the date draws closer!
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