Dear Ask America Supporters,
As Congress moves in to August Recess, and summer begins to wind down, rest assured our dream of the FIT Kids Bill moving forward truly does remain strong and steadfast, perfectly in sync with the current Administration's newly announced recommendations for reducing obesity in America.
This past week, during the "Weight of the Nation" conference, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius cited curbing obesity in America, especially childhood obesity and inactivity, among her top most priorities.
Congressman Kind's office assures us that Chairman Miller too, remains committed to moving the FIT Kids bill out of committee and to the House floor for a vote hopefully this year, and that's where we need your help once again!
Representative John Kline, the ranking Republican Committee member, is a key individual in moving FIT Kids to the Floor. At this time it is very important that Rep Kline know how important the FIT Kids Bill is to the teachers, parents, students and Ask America supporters across the country. Representative Kline's CONTACT INFORMATION has been added to our WRITE CONGRESS Page, as well as that of Secretary Sebelius.
Write Congress
Representative Kline only accepts e-mails from local constituents, however, he has a TOLL FREE NUMBER and a FAX number that others may use. You can FAX or CALL and recite the dialog we have posted in red on the page, or simply state your name and that you join with Richard Simmons in full support of the FIT Kids Legislation, HR 1585. Remember, these calls and FAXES are counted, and really do make a difference. THANK YOU SO MUCH, as always!
Now.......sadly...we have some bittersweet news to report:
Three years ago, during Richard's very first visit to Washington, Congressman Wamp turned to his legislative assistant, GREG M. and said to our group...."here's your guy". It's impossible to imagine what Greg must have thought then, but let it be said now,...none and we mean none of the progress Richard and all of us that make up ASK AMERICA have accomplished in these past three years would ever been possible without Greg. Not only did he walk us through the process, he taught us the process. It is no wonder that one of the nation's top Business Schools has "grabbed him up"......thank you GREG, for always being there for us and becoming a true friend, we will miss you, and wish you only the best.
About two years in to the campaign, RYAN N., legislative assistant to Congressman Kind joined the FIT Kids crusade, right around the time of our Congressional Hearing and PEP RALLY on CAPITOL HILL. As Ryan puts it, that day was "one of my most favorite moments of this job", and it was!
RYAN, along with Greg, has been instrumental in guiding and advising us ever since. We literally don't make a move without him. We knew even with GREG leaving, we were left in the best of hands, that is until......RYAN broke the news to us that he would also be leaving to return to Wisconsin, and an exciting new job, closer to his beloved family and close friends. As much as we will miss you Ryan, thank you for making the FIT Kids dream, a bona fide reality, and ALL the best to you too.
Soon, we will meet our new legislative assistants in both offices.
Finally, THANK YOU to all those that attended and supported the recent FIT Kids Rally on the steps of New York City Hall on June 19th. It was a GREAT success with the addition of 10 new Co-sponsors signing on after the event!
The New York Times ran a wonderful story with some pretty impressive quotes:
On Steps of City Hall, Sweat Is Surpassed by Sparkle
 Elizabeth Benjamin/The Daily News Richard Simmons, the fitness guru, spoke on the steps of City Hall on Friday, joined by Councilman Tony Avella of Queens, left.
City Councilman Tony Avella may be considered the longest of long shots to capture the Democratic primary for mayor in September. But boy, did he pull in a big crowd with a very special guest at City Hall on Friday:
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s Richard Simmons!
He joined Mr. Avella to announce a City Council resolution beseeching Congress to pass the FIT Kids Act,
Mr. Simmons,... was surrounded by dozens of grinning children wearing black “Slimmons with Simmons” T-shirts. And he attracted more reporters, security personnel and other people who work at City Hall every day than most politicians or mayors.
Thank you Councilman Avella, the team from Queens Hospital New York, AFAA, NASPE, HEALTHCORPS, PS1, and most of all the "grinning children in their Slimmin with Simmons T-Shirts" who made the Rally....Ms H's 4th grade class from Tesago Elementary in Clifton New York.
We will close with Ms. H's own words on the FIT Kids Bill and the New York Rally. Ms. H captures exactly why Richard, all of you and our team have seen this through all the way to this point. Ms H., nobody could say it any better.
Thank you Ms. H, Thank you Ask America
FROM MS. H:
(Richard) "Thank you for letting me share my experience as a teacher. I feel so honored.
Richard is so cool to hang out with. We all talked about how our faces hurt from smiling so much. It is so awesome to spend the day with someone who makes you smile.
I am hopeful that when my students grow up and are asked their most memorable elementary moment, they say spending the day with Richard Simmons and his crew. My desire is that one day they will realize just how huge and awesome this is. I hope that this bill will become a law."
RALLY SPEECH: "This past school year the students at Tesago Elementary have started exercising in their classrooms, implementing a DAILY DOZEN or 12 minutes of exercise right in the classroom. We are all aware of the benefits of exercising. Active children are less likely to become overweight, less likely to develop diabetes and sustain active minds for learning. As an educator, I have witnessed students who are more alert and energetic since implementing our DAILY DOZEN. It is exciting to see my students get excited about spending twelve minutes a day being active in the classroom. And having a student that is excited to be i n class is very rewarding."
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