 I know I'm looking at the healthiest bunch of people in the world. Well, we're delighted to have you here at the White House today, and this is obviously a good week to talk about physical fitness with Sunday's game coming up. You know, I've been asked a few times who I'm rooting for, since both teams playing are from my current home towns, and since none of the Democrats that are interested in this job have declared their preferences, I see no reason to be recklessly courageous. May the best team win. You'd never guess this was an election year, would you? What I have to say to all of you today is brief but heartfelt. The work of your council, the growth of its membership, the tremendous accomplishments that you've been responsible for have been heartwarming and inspiring. Since George Allen has been your chairman, the number of special advisors has quintupled, and it's that leadership along with the tremendous efforts of you here today that made this council's work a success and will make the new fitness academy in Indianapolis a reality. Attention to physical fitness is one of those things that says something about a nation and its people. It's an important indication of America's level of energy, competitiveness, and vigor. So your work and sacrifice is an act of patriotism. You're helping America keep strong and youthful. And on that point, let me stress the importance of your work with regard to the young people of America. I think you're aware of the attention that I've been giving to the education issue lately. It's one reason I think it's especially important that physical education continue to play a strong and a vital role in our schools. If it doesn't start there, I don't know where it's going to start. And finally, let me say that it's especially pleasing that your progress in keeping America physically fit has in large part been done through the private sector and the unselfish voluntary efforts of people like yourselves. And that, too, is most important. So again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Charles, and I know I'm going to see a picture of you. Thank you, Mr. President. You know, when you called on me to take the job of chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports two years ago, you and I agreed the need to motivate Americans of all ages to get physically fit for work, for play, for sports, for life. Well, I'm happy to report, Mr. President, that more Americans than ever before are now physically active. Over 102 million swimmers, 34 million runners and walkers, and millions more who play softball, tennis, golf, so forth are finding out how great it is to get a good workout. Two years ago, our game plan was to entice many more Americans who don't exercise or participate in sports to get involved. So we created the nation's first Fitness Academy to train fitness and sports leaders, and we established an annual celebration of Fitness Month, which you have proclaimed as May as National Fitness and Sports Month. We got the Postal Service to wish for a fitness stamp, and we launched a dozen other highly visible programs. Plus, we have a physical fitness card for adults and youngsters. But our primary reason for being here tonight is to recognize your leadership and your personal commitment to this critical area. On behalf of all Americans who have made the charge toward physical fitness, and those who will make it later on through our combined efforts, I salute you. It is an honor and a privilege to serve you in this great nation. We are deeply grateful for your support. Some of you remember the last time we were here, we gave the President some fitness weights, and they weren't heavy enough for him, you see. Now, we have to get you ready for the election, and we have to get your right arm strong and right hand strong. So we've made up a special, one-of-a-kind hand gripper, and on this, it says to President Reagan, the nation needs your strong grip. Each spring is gold plated. There's five of them. This is rosewood soaked in peanut oil overnight. To give it a nice cluster, 39 pounds of, if you can push it all the way down, you got a strong grip. On the gym upstairs, they don't have anything. Well, it's nice enough you could use it as a desk weight, paperweight on your desk. Not even Andropov has that. Is that beauty? And when a congressman comes in, I'll be squeezing. Yeah. Thank you very much.