Governor's Council On Physical Fitness
The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness was established by Governor Charlie Crist through Executive Order 07-52 on March 26, 2007. The Council was directed to develop a state plan of action to increase Floridians' level of physical fitness through regular exercise and sound nutrition practices.
To authorize the continuation of the Council and to expand its duties and membership, the Governor issued Executive Order 08-37 and Executive Order 09-91, under which the Council currently operates.
The Council submitted their recommendation for the initial State Plan of Action (Plan) to the Executive Office of the Governor on December 1, 2007. The Plan contains 39 recommendations that address physical education in schools, improvement of school lunches, and enhancing Floridians ability to walk or bike to work and school. The complete recommendations can be viewed at Governor's Council on Physical Fitness - State Plan of Action
The Council's work has continued beyond the completion of the State Plan of Action. Council members remain active in their communities. Two of the recommendations resulted in proposed legislation during the 2008 Legislative Session. The first, Senate Bill 610, required 30 minutes of physical education daily for grades 6-8 effective for the 2009/10 school year. Another recommendation of the Council was that school children have increased access to a nutritious breakfast, which the Legislature expanded upon in 2008. The Florida Department of Health is also incorporating several other recommendations from the Council in their 2009 proposed legislation, 'Healthy & Fit Florida Act," which aligns Chapter 385 of the Florida Statutes with CDC guidelines.
Additionally, many of the recommendations put forward in the State Plan of Action are being implemented by state agencies and other organizations. A summary of these activities is available at Current Implementation of Governor's Council on Physical Fitness Recommendations 2007-2008. A summary of current Council activities is available at Governor's Council on Physical Fitness Members
For more information about the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness please contact:
The Office of the Deputy Secretary for Advocacy & Policy
Kimberly A. Berfield
Florida Department of Health
850-245-4444 x3317, or fax 850-922-9453
FitnessCouncil@doh.state.fl.us