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Bush promotes fitness at Dallas YMCA
The Dallas Morning News ^ | July 18, 2003 | By COLLEEN McCAIN NELSON / The Dallas Morning News

Posted on 07/18/2003 6:27:26 PM PDT by MeekOneGOP


Bush promotes fitness at Dallas YMCA video

07/18/2003

By COLLEEN McCAIN NELSON / The Dallas Morning News

President Bush didn't cause much of a stir Friday at the Lakewest YMCA pool.

In fact, a few young swimmers weren't convinced that the gentleman in the blue plaid shirt was the presidential visitor they had been promised.

"That isn't him," one child announced as Mr. Bush greeted a group of campers.

"Yes it is. That's the president," his friend informed him.

Mr. Bush, who was in town for a $2,000-a-plate campaign fund-raiser, stopped by the Lakewest YMCA for a quick tour and to tout the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

Also Online
Video: Don Wall reports

There, an army of young campers showcased their dedication to physical fitness when Mr. Bush dropped in on their swimming and exercise classes.

After spending a few moments in the blazing sun, the president threatened to jump in the outdoor pool, but he opted to stay on deck for a safety demonstration.

"I'm envious," Mr. Bush told the swimmers floating across the pool.

Inside, the president lauded the efforts of kids doing calisthenics.

"You all are working out a lot," he said to children doing jumping jacks and toe-touches. "Do you like exercise? It's very important."

Mr. Bush, who said he grew up playing basketball at the YMCA in Midland, deemed Lakewest "overwhelmingly beautiful" and complimented its dedicated staff.

The west Dallas YMCA, which was built with the help of the Dallas Housing Authority, opened two years ago in the middle of low-income neighborhoods.

On Friday, public-housing residents lined up outside their apartments across from Lakewest, straining to get a glimpse of the president.

Michael Ainsworth / DMN
Former NFL star Lynn Swann, chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, joined President Bush at Lakewest on Friday.

Most of the children who attend the YMCA's summer camp live in public housing. Almost all are minorities.

YMCA staff members said Lakewest filled a need in the neighborhood for a safe haven. Here, kids can find mentors who teach them about maintaining a healthy mind, body and spirit.

Mr. Bush said the YMCA has taught generations of children to love exercise.

"We were pleased to see little youngsters doing jumping jacks, with enthusiasm I might add," Mr. Bush said.

After touring the pool and the teen center, Mr. Bush detailed his fitness initiative for the crowd that packed the gymnasium. Compelling Americans to exercise and eat well is the best health care plan for the country, the president said.

Eat less grease and more fruit and exercise at least 30 minutes per day, the president suggested.

"Americans will feel better if they accept the challenge," he said. "Once you get hooked on exercise, it is hard to get off."

Helping the country to get healthy will save billions of dollars in medical bills and will help prevent health problems such as diabetes and heart disease, Mr. Bush said.

Former NFL star Lynn Swann, chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, joined Mr. Bush at Lakewest. On Friday, Mr. Swann launched a new web site (www.presidentschallenge.org) aimed at helping both children and adults develop a physical fitness program.

The president, who is an avid jogger, has led by example when it comes to staying fit, said Mr. Swann, who was part of three Super Bowl champions as part of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"The talk is not enough. You've got to walk the walk," he said. "Our president doesn't walk it - he runs it."

Mr. Bush asked the crowd to join him in taking four steps to improve their health. Do physical activity every day and eat healthy foods, he said. Make healthy choices by avoiding cigarettes and drugs and get preventive screenings, the president added.

If everyone followed that advice, "we'd be a much healthier nation," Mr. Bush said.

E-mail cmccain@dallasnews.com


Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/latestnews/stories/071903dnmetbushymca.a0670c86.html


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: bushdoctrine; dallas; health; lynnswann; presidentbush; texas; ymca

1 posted on 07/18/2003 6:27:26 PM PDT by MeekOneGOP
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To: nicmarlo; maxwell; Ragtime Cowgirl; xJones; dutchess; dansangel; dubyaismypresident; ...
Gotta love it !

"Americans will feel better if they accept the challenge," he said. "Once you get hooked on exercise, it is hard to get off."


2 posted on 07/18/2003 6:30:25 PM PDT by MeekOneGOP (Bu-bye Dixie Chimps! / Coming Soon !: Freeper site on Comcast. Found the URL. Gotta fix it now.)
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3 posted on 07/18/2003 6:31:32 PM PDT by Support Free Republic (Your support keeps Free Republic going strong!)
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To: MeeknMing
President Bush makes me feel guilty...LOL. I'll have to try harder.
4 posted on 07/18/2003 6:31:51 PM PDT by Wait4Truth (God Bless our President!)
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To: MeeknMing
Go Bush! By coincidence, today I actually read the first totally positive article about Bush that I have ever found in my local fishwrap - and it was by the sports columnist, raving about Bush's fitness and what a great example it was!
5 posted on 07/18/2003 6:33:33 PM PDT by livius
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To: ValerieUSA
fyi. . .
6 posted on 07/18/2003 6:34:41 PM PDT by MeekOneGOP (Bu-bye Dixie Chimps! / Coming Soon !: Freeper site on Comcast. Found the URL. Gotta fix it now.)
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To: livius
The Dallas Morning News printed another article on Bush today. They are fishwrap too, especially when David Jackson (DMN resident Bush-basher) goes to town !!

So glad to hear of the POSITIVE article in your local ! Thanks !!


7 posted on 07/18/2003 6:38:59 PM PDT by MeekOneGOP (Bu-bye Dixie Chimps! / Coming Soon !: Freeper site on Comcast. Found the URL. Gotta fix it now.)
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To: MeeknMing
http://www.presidentschallenge.org/
8 posted on 07/18/2003 6:42:45 PM PDT by alnick (Kakkate Koi!)
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To: Wait4Truth
A great leader, imho ! Leads by example.

I need to do better/more, too !!


9 posted on 07/18/2003 6:43:53 PM PDT by MeekOneGOP (Bu-bye Dixie Chimps! / Coming Soon !: Freeper site on Comcast. Found the URL. Gotta fix it now.)
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To: alnick
Thanks.

10 posted on 07/18/2003 6:53:55 PM PDT by MeekOneGOP (Bu-bye Dixie Chimps! / Coming Soon !: Freeper site on Comcast. Found the URL. Gotta fix it now.)
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To: MeeknMing
In a related story, all the Democrat presidential candidates came out against physical fitness.
11 posted on 07/18/2003 8:46:53 PM PDT by Paul Atreides
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To: Paul Atreides
ha ha !! I bet that's right !

12 posted on 07/19/2003 7:51:17 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP (Bu-bye Dixie Chimps! / Coming Soon !: Freeper site on Comcast. Found the URL. Gotta fix it now.)
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To: MeeknMing
LOL about the smoking. His daughters smoke.
13 posted on 07/19/2003 8:29:03 AM PDT by bushfamfan
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To: bushfamfan
Yep, I think that's right. Gee, they hardly seem old enough to smoke !

Oh, an OLD picture from the Bush I administration, at Kennebunkport I think.


14 posted on 07/19/2003 9:32:02 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP (Bu-bye Dixie Chimps! / Coming Soon !: Freeper site on Comcast. Found the URL. Gotta fix it now.)
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To: MeeknMing
This is a great post, Meekie, thanks.

Great quote from Lynn Swann (for the tagline file):

"The talk is not enough. You've got to walk the walk," he said. "Our president doesn't walk it - he runs it."

No one told him that the self-proclaimed leader of the African-American people was holding court in Miami and demanding other free Americans bow down at his alter of victimization. (^:

15 posted on 07/19/2003 11:54:26 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl (We're in a global war on terrorism..If you want to call that a quagmire, do it. I don't.*Rummy* 6-30)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Thanks.

Yep, he runs it is right - literally runs.


16 posted on 07/19/2003 1:36:11 PM PDT by MeekOneGOP (Bu-bye Dixie Chimps! / Coming Soon !: Freeper site on Comcast. Found the URL. Gotta fix it now.)
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