Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, July 9, 1996

NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 2 1 093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Richard Cross July 9, 1996 202-225-3061 EHRLICH SEEKS TO PRIVA TEL Y FUND NATIONAL FITNESS PANEL Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. (R-2nd., MD) has introduced legislation which would allow the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports to exist as a privately-funded entity. The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports seeks to promote, encourage, and motivate the development of physical fitness and sports participation for all Americans. Federal funding for the Council is currently being phased out as part of the Republican plan to balance the balance by 2002. H. R. 2209, the “National Foundation on Physical Fitness and Sports Establishment Act,” will create a charitable and nonprofit organization which will serve as an alternative funding source for the Council. Additionally, the bill enables the Council to independently raise the funds necessary to meet its $1 million annual budget. Ehrlich noted that his bill is consistent with the overall Republican philosophy of using private contributions to pay for activities now being funded by the federal government. “As a former scholastic athlete who made it through college on academic-athletic scholarships, I understand how important sports can be in shaping a young person’s life,” Congressman Ehrlich stated. “My bill will enable the Council to perform its important mission— but at no net cost to the American taxpayer.”