President Bush Taps Susan Dell as New Member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
May 24, 2006
Austin, Texas - President George W. Bush has appointed Susan Dell, co-founder and chairman of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, as a member of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports for a two-year term. Dell was sworn in today in Washington, D.C., along with 19 other presidential appointees to the Council.
The purpose of the Council is to recommend programs to the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services that encourage nationwide participation in physical fitness, physical activity and sports activities. In addition to Susan Dell, the Council includes five other Texans.
"I am honored to be selected by the President to serve as an advocate for encouraging families and communities to live more active lives. Physical fitness has always been a vital part of my life because I’ve seen its positive effects on both mind and body," said Dell. "With critical issues such as the rising occurrence of obesity and Type 2 diabetes in children at the top of public health agendas, we must urge children and adults to improve their health and well being. I look forward to being an active participant in sharing and exchanging ideas with my fellow appointees to help accelerate progress in this effort."
Dell's personal commitment to healthy living and ensuring children learn life-long, healthy habits - as well as her family foundation’s focus on improving outcomes for underserved children, particularly in the areas of education and health - has made combating childhood obesity a key priority for Dell and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Just last week, the foundation announced a $50 million gift to the University of Texas that includes a grant to build the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living in Austin, where research will initially focus on preventing childhood obesity. This world-class center will conduct research to better understand and influence behaviors and environmental conditions that affect healthy living.
Dell is also Chairman of the Board of Phi, a New York City-based women's designer collection company that made its runway debut in Fall 2004. In addition to her business and foundation roles, Dell is an accomplished athlete. She regularly competes in marathons, triathlons, and cycling races, including successfully competing in the 2003 Ironman World Championships and finishing first place overall for men and women, where she also set the course record for women in the 2004 Kaloko Cycling Race. Dell is also active in the Austin community as a board member of the Austin Children's Hospital, the Cooper Institute and St. Andrew's Episcopal School.
About the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is an advisory committee of volunteer citizens who advise the President through the Secretary of Health and Human Services about physical activity, fitness, and sports in America. Through its programs and partnerships with the public, private and non-profit 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.
About the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (www.msdf.org) was established in 1999 by the Dell family to improve outcomes for underserved children in a measurable way. Based in Austin, Texas the Foundation funds programs that foster and improve education, health and safety for children around the world. With an endowment of more than $1 billion, the Foundation has committed more than $270 million to global children’s issues and Central Texas community initiatives to date.
May 24, 2006
Austin, Texas - President George W. Bush has appointed Susan Dell, co-founder and chairman of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, as a member of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports for a two-year term. Dell was sworn in today in Washington, D.C., along with 19 other presidential appointees to the Council.
The purpose of the Council is to recommend programs to the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services that encourage nationwide participation in physical fitness, physical activity and sports activities. In addition to Susan Dell, the Council includes five other Texans.
"I am honored to be selected by the President to serve as an advocate for encouraging families and communities to live more active lives. Physical fitness has always been a vital part of my life because I’ve seen its positive effects on both mind and body," said Dell. "With critical issues such as the rising occurrence of obesity and Type 2 diabetes in children at the top of public health agendas, we must urge children and adults to improve their health and well being. I look forward to being an active participant in sharing and exchanging ideas with my fellow appointees to help accelerate progress in this effort."
Dell's personal commitment to healthy living and ensuring children learn life-long, healthy habits - as well as her family foundation’s focus on improving outcomes for underserved children, particularly in the areas of education and health - has made combating childhood obesity a key priority for Dell and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Just last week, the foundation announced a $50 million gift to the University of Texas that includes a grant to build the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living in Austin, where research will initially focus on preventing childhood obesity. This world-class center will conduct research to better understand and influence behaviors and environmental conditions that affect healthy living.
Dell is also Chairman of the Board of Phi, a New York City-based women's designer collection company that made its runway debut in Fall 2004. In addition to her business and foundation roles, Dell is an accomplished athlete. She regularly competes in marathons, triathlons, and cycling races, including successfully competing in the 2003 Ironman World Championships and finishing first place overall for men and women, where she also set the course record for women in the 2004 Kaloko Cycling Race. Dell is also active in the Austin community as a board member of the Austin Children's Hospital, the Cooper Institute and St. Andrew's Episcopal School.
About the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is an advisory committee of volunteer citizens who advise the President through the Secretary of Health and Human Services about physical activity, fitness, and sports in America. Through its programs and partnerships with the public, private and non-profit 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.
About the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (www.msdf.org) was established in 1999 by the Dell family to improve outcomes for underserved children in a measurable way. Based in Austin, Texas the Foundation funds programs that foster and improve education, health and safety for children around the world. With an endowment of more than $1 billion, the Foundation has committed more than $270 million to global children’s issues and Central Texas community initiatives to date.