Remarks as prepared; not a transcript.

Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H, FACS
United States Surgeon General
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Rollout of the National Initiative on Physical Fitness for Children and Youth with Disabilities

Wednesday, May 26, 2004 1:30 p.m.
Washington, D.C.

"I Can Do It, You Can Do It!"

Thank you, Dr. G, (Dr. Margaret Giannini, Director of the Office on Disability) for that terrific introduction.

And thank you for the great work you're doing on behalf of all Americans.

I'm so pleased to help you launch this great new program. I love the name: "I Can Do It, You Can Do It!" That should be the new motto for all kids and adults.

You know, Secretary Thompson and I have spent a great deal of time working with Americans to combat the epidemic of obesity, and particularly childhood obesity.

Under the Secretary's leadership we've launched major research and outreach initiatives targeted at fighting overweight and obesity.

Our future depends on getting America kids off the PlayStation and back on the playground.

More than 15 million American kids are overweight or obese. That's 1 in 7 who are at increased risk for physical, social, and mental health challenges because they weigh too much.

How can we fight this epidemic? Through healthy eating and physical activity.

The average American child spends more than four hours every day watching television, playing video games, or surfing the web.

We're encouraging all American kids to spend one-fourth of that time - an hour a day - being physically active.

What is physical activity? It's anything that gets your body moving!

We have some real winners here with us today. Let's hear it for the students from C.T. Reed Elementary School!

You all know that there's no replacement for self-confidence, self-reliance, and winning the battle of the mind. You've learned that if you get it right up here, in your head, the rest of your life will follow.

One of the great things about physical activity is that kids can get exercise in so many different fun ways.

Kids are all different. Let me ask all the students some questions: Are you and your best friend exactly the same? Or are you different people?

I bet that you and your brothers and sisters are also different people! You like different games, different books, and different foods.

Being different is what makes us all special. So maybe you like to swim, and your friend would rather go for a walk, and your brother would like to ride a bike.

All these are great activities, and help you stay healthy. Our goal isn't to develop great athletes, but to make sure that everyone is in the game.

It's so great to see all this adaptive equipment and enthusiastic kids here today. With the right kind of guidance and planning, all kids can get in on the action. They can bowl, golf, cycle, ski, swim, even climb mountains!

That's why we here at HHS teamed up to develop "I Can Do It, You Can Do It!"

The way it works is by bringing together active adults and interested kids to find an activity they enjoy. Then they set a goal to be physically active for an hour a day, 5 days a week, for six weeks.

The good news is that it works. You'll hear some of the success stories a little later from my friend Melissa Johnson, Executive Director of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

A famous American once said: When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is brought into our life, or into the life of another person. That famous lady was Helen Keller. When she was a little girl, Helen contracted a fever that left her blind and deaf. But she was full of promise and hope.

At age 20, Helen entered college, with her teacher Miss Annie Sullivan at her side to spell textbooks - letter by letter - into her hand. Four years later Helen Keller graduated at the top of her class, and during her lifetime she was considered one of our country's "most admired" people.

Remember what she said about doing the best you can. It will change your life, and it will make a miracle happen in someone else's life.

So let's hear: it "I Can Do It, You Can Do It."

Okay kids, today you are going to do some mountain climbing, bowling, golf, bicycling, and other activities. You know what I think? I think that the rest of America should follow your example! We have high hopes for this program and for all the adult volunteers and young Americans who participate in it!

Thank you.

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Last revised: January 8, 2007