A recorded speech excerpt (YouTube video) in which President John F. Kennedy addresses the American public about the importance of physical fitness. He urges creation of programs to increase participation in physical activity, emphasizes changing the physical habits of millions (children and adults), links physical vigor to national strength and longevity, and calls for lifelong maintenance of fitness.
With all of the prestige and influence which you bring to American life. You help establish more programs for participation By American boys and girls, by American young and old. In short, what we must do is literally change the physical habits of millions of Americans. And that is far more difficult Than changing their taste is fashions. Or even their politics.
I welcome this opportunity to speak to the people of America About a subject which I believe to be most important. And that is the subject of physical fitness. And I speak not only as President of the United States. But also as a parent of two children. Who I hope will grow up with those qualities of vigor and energy. Which we identify with the best of America. This should be a matter of concern to us all. A country is as strong, really as its citizens. And I think that mental and physical health. Mental and physical vigor. Go hand in hand. I hope that we will not find a day in the United States when all of us are spectators. Except for a few who are out on the field. I hope all Americans will be on the field. They will concern themselves with the education of their children, with the physical development of their children, with the participation in the vigorous life. And then also, as their children get older, inculcate into them a desire to maintain that vigor through their normal life. Our citizens are living longer. And we want them to participate fully in that longer life. But they can only do so if they give some of their time and some of their effort to maintaining that vitality. This is a subject which should be of interest to us all.
