DSUSA Executive Director Chosen for President’s Fitness Council

At a special White House ceremony with President George Bush on May 24, Disabled Sports USA (DS/USA) Executive Director Kirk Bauer was sworn into the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, a 20-member body composed of experts and leaders in the fitness and sports field.

Bauer, an amputee and Vietnam veteran, joins 19 other members of the council, including Eli Manning, quarterback for the New York Giants; professional tennis star Andy Roddick; Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton; fitness expert Denise Austin; champion triathlete Susan Dell, director of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation of Dell Computers; and John Burke, president of Trek Bikes and chair of the Council. Bauer is the only veteran on the council.

For Bauer, the appointment is the culmination of nearly 36 years in the disability sports field with Disabled Sports USA, including 24 years as its executive director and 12 years at the local chapter level as a volunteer. "It is an honor to be associated with so many accomplished people in the sports and fitness field," said Bauer. "I hope to use my position to promote fitness for youth with disabilities and for veterans, especially those with disabilities from injuries incurred in war." Bauer added, "These two groups are some of the most unfit in the nation, especially older veterans, and are at risk for many health problems. I want to be a voice for two programs initiated by the Department of Health & Human Services: 'I Can Do It, You Can Do It' youth with disabilities sports mentoring program, and 'Healthier U S Veterans' in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs."

Bauer became involved in the disability sports field after losing his leg in 1969 to a hand grenade during an ambush while serving in the US Army Infantry in Vietnam. He became a champion snow ski racer, winning medals in numerous national competitions, and was named to the US Disabled Ski Team in 1980.

During his tenure as executive director of DS/USA, Bauer took an all-volunteer organization that taught mostly winter skiing to a national organization with 85 chapters operating in 35 states, offering year-round sports rehabilitation and elite programs in more than 20 different sports. Thousands are served each year from all types of disabilities. He established the first nationwide fitness program, "Fitness Is for Everyone;" the first nationwide national ski instructor training program that is now part of the curriculum for Professional Ski Instructors of America; and a nationwide program to instruct parents whose children have disabilities to ensure their children's rights to physical education in school.

The most recent program that he has initiated with DS/USA is the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, a program in partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides year-round sports rehabilitation programs for military service members who have received severe, life-changing injuries from service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Established in 1956, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is a federal advisory committee of up to 20 members who recommend programs and initiatives on physical activity, fitness, and sports to the President through the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). President George W. Bush established the Healthier US initiative in 2002 to stress prevention through healthy lifestyle choices, including daily physical activity, sound nutrition, preventive screenings, and safe behaviors. Through its programs and partnerships with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, the Council serves as a catalyst to promote health, physical activity, fitness, and enjoyment for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities through participation in physical activity and sports. The 20 Council members are appointed and serve at the pleasure of the President.

For more information about Disabled Sports USA, visit www.dsusa.org

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DSUSA Executive Director Chosen for President’s Fitness Council

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