GOVERNMENT

SCHOOLS

MEDIA

Commendations and Support from Government Officials:

State -

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California endorses Kevin Saunders' Health and Fitness Tour of America. Kevin Saunders with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who is a big  constituent for education for proper Fitness & Nutrition for our nation’s youth & American people and California’s youth, parents, teachers, & the people of California.

Governor Rick Perry of Texas welcomes Kevin Saunders and his Health and Fitness Tour of America.

Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas welcomes Kevin Saunders and his Health and Fitness Tour of America and is recognized with with the Arkansas Traveler Certificate.

Governor Gary Locke welcomes the Kevin Saunders' Health and Fitness Tour of America to Washington.

Governor of Michigan Jennifer Granholm adds her support to the efforts of Kevin Saunders and the Health and Fitness Tour!

Governor Taft of Ohio welcomes Kevin to Ohio and joins all Ohioans in extending best wishes for the success of the Tour of America.

Governor Joseph Kernan of Indiana supports Kevin Saunders and his Health and Fitness Tour of America.

Governor Bob Holden of Missouri recognizes Kevin and the Health and Fitness Tour of America.

Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle gives her official Commendation to Kevin Saunders for his Health and Fitness Tour of America.

Frank H. Murkowski, Governor of Alaska, commends Kevin Saunders' Health and Fitness Tour of America.

City - Click on words or phrases highlighted in blue below to see letters, pictures etc. from a few of the cities Kevin Saunders pushed through on his BIG PUSH over 2,500 miles across America promoting fitness one community at a time.

Mayor Laura Miller declares August 13, 2004 "Kevin Saunders Day" in the city of Dallas, Texas by presenting him with a Proclamation.

The City of Dallas Mayor Laura Miller pictured with Kevin Saunders had an honorary race day to promote fitness and healthy balanced nutrition in the city of Dallas.

Kevin pushes through pouring rain and all types of weather to keep the “BIG PUSH” for fitness on schedule.

St Louis, MO - Proclamation by Mayor Francis Slay of St. Louis declaring "Kevin Saunders Day".

Pictured under the "Gateway to the West" Kevin Saunders is presented with the distinguished honor from Mayor Slay on helping St. Louis bring additional attention to their cities programs like;

"Get Hooked on Health St. Louis" and some additional information, tools and resources from top fitness and nutritional professionals across America.

Kevin Saunders is pictured 
throwing out the 1st pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals to keep America staying active in all types of sports.

Memphis Certificate of Recognition for Kevin Saunders first leg of his "Fitness 4 ALL 50 Sate Tour" the "BIG PUSH" The City of Memphis.

Here is Kevin Saunders receiving the certificate of Recognition for accomplishments above & beyond for Health & Fitness from two of leading City Council Members proclaiming "Kevin Saunders Day" in the city of Memphis.

Indianapolis, IN - honors Kevin and the Health and Fitness Tour of America with an Official Proclamation from Mayor Bart Peterson declaring "Kevin Saunders Day".

Here is picture of Kevin Saunders holding the proclamation from the city of Indianapolis, Indiana for the media. This certificate thanks Kevin Saunders for his dedication to see that education for fitness and healthy nutrition reaches all across America in large and small communities of all ethnicities. 

Kevin Saunders pictured here with his Motorcycle Police escort into the city remarked they were at amazed at the 20 to 30 mph+ speeds Kevin Saunders was able to reach on his way into the city.

The City of Corpus Christi, Texas awards Kevin Saunders and his "BIG PUSH" towards the "Fitness 4 ALL 50 State Tour" with a Certificate of Commendation.

Kevin Saunders is pictured at the front of the U-shaped table giving a Health & Fitness Summit presentation to the city leaders and Mayor and City officials.

The City of Fort Wayne, Indiana declares "Kevin Saunders' Day" by Mayor Graham Richard of Fort Wayne, IN.

Kevin Saunders pictured with students answering questions after a presentation on "Getting fit and eating good nutritional meals and choosing healthy snacks to beat the Obesity Crisis in America - "One Push at a Time!

The City of Toledo, Ohio presents Kevin Saunders with a proclamation honoring him for his "BIG PUSH" over 2,500 miles as a prelude to his "Fitness 4 ALL 50 State Tour" a 501-c-3 Corporation whose purpose is to raise awareness and help educate our nation’s youth, parents, teachers, administrators and the American people about the positive effects of physical fitness and proper nutrition, in such way that they are inspired to actively make healthier choices on a daily basis for a lifetime. The "Fitness 4 ALL 50 State Tour" nonprofit corporation has partnered with the top fitness and nutritional people in America to accomplish this.

Kevin Saunders pictured with the Toledo, Ohio council members and Mayor Protem talking to them and the media about the important issues before each city, town & community that we must improve education and help our students, parents, teachers and others stay accountable by keeping track of progress that leads towards a leaner fit body & mind in order to win the war on obesity in America.

Houston, TX – Mayor Bill White presented Kevin Saunders with a Proclamation proclaiming Kevin Saunders Day" in Houston, TX for his “BIG PUSH” for fitness.

Here is Kevin Saunders is pictured with Mayor Bill White receiving the proclamation for his tireless efforts to make Houston a healthier place to live. Mayor White declared today Kevin Saunders Day in Houston, Texas for his dedication to seeing that everyone has a chance to learn ways to stay fit by implementing different work outs cardio and strength training and making better choices for the foods they eat by using education to help them make better choices on what to eat that provides a healthy & nutritious balanced meals and healthy snacks until it becomes a habit for a life time.

Mayor Keith Hightower of Shreveport, Louisiana pictured with Kevin Saunders as he presents Kevin with a Proclamation declaring "Kevin Saunders Health and Fitness Tour Day".  Kevin Shreveport police escort where quite amazed at the speeds he was able to fly through the city with.

When Kevin Saunders pulled into Shreveport all the local media was waiting there to greet him.

Mayor Horace G. Shipp of Texarkana, Arkansas presents Kevin with a Proclamation declaring " Kevin Saunders Day".

Kevin raises his hands in victory along with his Texarkana, TX police escort as our goal is to win the war on obesity one community at a time"

Kevin Saunders pictured doing an interview with Channel 3 ABC KTBS Texarkana Kevin talks about how important proper education for our nation’s youth, parents, teachers and all Americans.

Mayor Will Wynn of Austin, TX presenting Kevin with a Proclamation declaring "Kevin Saunders Day"!

Mayor Wynn and Kevin Saunders while the Mayor tells Kevin about his Austin in Motion [com] initiative to help the students in Austin get fit.  Mayor Wynn pictured as he reads the Proclamation declaring "Kevin Saunders Day" in Austin TX For all the work he has done to with the “BIG PUSH for fitness to help make America & Austin fit.

Kevin Saunders after meeting with Governor Perry and his staff to give a presentation the "Health & Fitness Summit" is pictured here in front of the Texas State Capitol.

Kevin Saunders pictured here pushing his way to San Antonio for a meeting with the Mayor Garza and his staff. Mayor Garza and his staff presented Kevin a Proclamation declaring "Kevin Saunders Day" in San Antonio after his "Health & Fitness Summit" presentation.

Here is Kevin pictured near the Alamo where the media decided to hold the press interviews.

Mayor Steed Smith presented Kevin with a Proclamation declaring " Kevin Saunders Day" in Huntsville, TX.

Pictured above is Kevin Saunders with the Huntsville, TX Mayor receiving a proclamation after his Health & Fitness presentation to the Mayor, city officials and leaders.

Mayor Tommy Metcalf of Conroe, Texas Presents Kevin with a Proclamation declaring Monday August 23rd Kevin Saunders Day.

Mayor Murray Moore of Longview, Texas presents Kevin with a Proclamation declaring "Kevin Saunders Health and Fitness Tour of America day".

After Kevin Saunders Health & Fitness presentation, Kevin is pictured with the Mayor of Longview, TX when he presents Kevin with a Proclamation declaring "Kevin Saunders Day!" in Longview, TX.  Kevin Saunders also presents Mayor Moore with a declaration for Fitness and excepting Kevin's challenge to help improve the quality of fitness in his community from the schools, parents, teachers, workforce and all Longview residents living in and out of the city. Kevin gives Mayor Moore of Longview TX a copy of his book There's Always a Way to help remind him Never Give Up on cities- schools, communities & people of Longview, Texas.

Mayor Betty Flores of Laredo, Texas presents Kevin Saunders with a Key to the City and a proclamation of certificate of recognition for his work for work with education for fitness & nutrition.

Kevin pushed on the road with his friend Rudy Sanchez into Laredo.

Mayor Joey Seeber or Tyler, Texas declares Kevin Saunders Health and Fitness Tour of America Day and presents him with a Proclamation declaring "Kevin Saunders Day" in Tyler, Texas.

Kevin Saunders pictured here in the front of the Tyler City Council building with Mayor Joey Seeber after finishing his "Health & Fitness Summit" Kevin shared his books tools & resources to help improve education in schools and communities to help win the obesity & out of shape challenges to Tyler, Texas communities for the years to come.

Cape Girardeau, Missouri – Kevin Saunders pushes over the Mississippi bridge to meet with city leaders.

Mayor Kundtson presents Kevin with a Proclamation declared "Kevin Saunders Day" on behalf of his work for education for fitness.

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Allen County School kids June 22, 2004

Kevin spoke to the Allen County elementary summer school students about the importance of education when it comes to getting active and making better choices for balanced meals or healthy snacks. Getting involved to help make healthier and fitness initiatives available to more people of all ages in their school and community.

Roosevelt High School July 8th 2004

9 AM spoke to the approximately 700 summer school students. We met Roosevelt Principal Mrs. Shead. I spoke to inspire and motivate the summer school students at Roosevelt High. I wanted to leave them with four important points:

1. To never give up when it comes starting and then sticking to a fitness regimen and making better choices for the foods you chose to eat and teak it so it fits your particular needs. Once you get into a routine until it becomes a habit for a lifetime.

2. It's not what happens to you that matters, it's how you choose to respond to what happens that is important. No matter what challenges you have set goals that can lead to helping you be more fit and lean by making better healthier choices  for what you eat and how much.

3. The only failures are the ones who don't learn from their mistakes.

4. Greatness and information of people who are fit is all around you. Don't be afraid to ask for help from someone who is successful at something that you want to do.

I presented an autographed copy of my book to the school's library.

The students were really great to talk to and were very interested in hearing about the tour and what where interested in what not only they could do to make better choices, but also how they could help their school and community to get fit.

Beaumont High School.

I spoke the students at Beaumont High School in St. Louis, MO who also had a great interest my presentation. After the presentation in the Q & A session they also had many questions about getting or staying fit.

The Principal Travis Brown Sr. gave Dora, Andy, and I all a T-Shirts after my presentation which had the most popular quote from Principal Brown: “Not at Beaumont.” While at Beaumont we also met Assistant Principal Katrice Noble who re-emphasized the points that I had made to the students. I presented a copy of my book to the school library as well as a copy of my comic book with the 1st action wheelchair hero showing anything is possible.

Lyndon B. Johnson High School

“Buena Vida” (Good Life) – That was the focus of my talk to the students today.

When I arrived at LBJ High School, some school officials including the principal, Mr. Oscar Perez and his assistant Paul were there waiting for me. The media was also waiting and were excited about covering the event.

The principal, Oscar Perez, told me that LBJ was a brand new high school, and that this was their very first year to be in the new building. He told me that there was an extremely big challenge for him and the rest of the teachers to keep kids interested not only in school, but also in the importance of exercise and proper nutrition in the 21st century.

I told Mr. Perez that I was really honored that he'd wanted to have me come to speak to his school, and that I would definitely focus my efforts to talk to the kids about the importance of education and how it is the foundation to our accomplishments in life. I told him that I would also relate the purpose of why I was pushing across America: to inspire and motivate his students to get or stay fit and how that is a lifestyle we can adopt for a lifetime.

Also how not being fit, getting out of shape and overweight by making bad choices for what we eat or by not choosing to stay active by making the right activities choices that best fit our individual needs. It can not only be bad for each student that doesn’t work on improving their fitness activities, eating habits and help with the schools and community “Buena Vista” [Good Life] programs. It is also currently a great economic strain that obesity and unhealthy living is costing our healthcare system in America well over a 100 billion dollars a year in related diseases.

I did a few quick television interviews before I went to speak to the students. I told the media that my purpose at LBJ was to help motivate the students to stay in school, get an education, and to help them understand the importance of proper fitness activities and nutrition for their needs. Not only is our health declining as Americans, but also our healthcare system is in danger.

I told the students what an honor it was to be able to speak to them as I ended the “Big Push” – the prelude for the “Fitness 4 All 50 State Tour” [a 501-c-3 nonprofit corporation] that totaled over 2,500 miles in all to Laredo, TX. I told them about how I had crossed the Mexican border earlier that day and about how I had met with their mayor, Betty Flores and how I had received a key to the city. I told them about how she had shared with me her fitness initiative for the city of Laredo, entitled: “Buena Vida” [The Good Life]. Mayor Flores and the other city officials want the community to know that the good life involves staying active, exercising, and eating right. The Buena Vida Program works to prevent and/or reduce chronic diseases through early identification, education, counseling, and referral of diabetic, hypertensive and cancer screening. The program provides a health awareness screening for the community.

I presented an autographed copy of my book to the school's library.

The students were really a great audience and very receptive to what I had to say. Many of the students came up to me after I spoke and were very interested in learning more about the right foods to eat and fitness activities that may work for them. I gave a lot of autographs, and shook the students' hands. The teachers thanked me for coming by. Coach Gonzalez the basketball coach gave Dora and I both T-shirts from the LBJ basketball team.

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Indianapolis, IN

Ex-wheelchair Racer Takes Spin for Fitness Kevin Saunders propelled his wheelchair 48 miles from Newcastle into Indianapolis on Wednesday, part of his 2,000 mile journey. Saunders, a former athlete in the Paralympics, wants to spread a message about the importance of fitness in America...read more in The Indianapolis Star!

Crawfordsville, IN

Crawfordsville was spotlighted Tuesday afternoon by a 48-year-old man pushing his wheelchair from Canada to Mexico... Click here to view the news clipping.

Portland, IN

Kevin Saunders an Olympic medalist from Kansas, stopped by Portland City Hall on Wednesday to present Mayor Bruce Hosier with a plaque... Click here to view the news clipping.

Lebanon, IN

Kevin Saunders, former world champion and three-time Paralympic athlete, pushed his way through Lebanon Monday afternoon, as part of a public awareness tour call "The Big Push"... Click here to view the news clipping.

Fort Wayne, IN

Wheeling to Fight Flabbiness - Ex-Paralympics Athlete gives tips on better health... Click here to view the news clipping.

Montgommery County, IL

Health and Fitness Tour calls Attention for our need to Shape up... Click here to view the news clipping.

Randolph County, IL

One Man, One Mission, On Push Across America... Click here to view the news clipping.

Columbia , IL

Kevin Saunders, a former world champion and Paralympics athlete, is pushing his wheelchair from Canada to Mexico to draw attention to the need for communities througout our nation to focus on lifelong health... Click here to view the news clipping.

Monroe, MI

On a Trek to get America Fit! Click here to view the news clipping.

Dexter, MO

On his trek from Detroit Michigan, to southern Texas, Kevin Saunders, a former world champion and Paralympic wheelchair athlete, detoured briefly in downtown Dexter Wednesday afternoon... Click here to view the news clipping.

Kennett, MO

There's always a way - Kevin Saunders in Kennett, MO... Click here to view the news clipping .

Cape Girardeau, MO

Kevin Saunders visit to Cape Girardeau on Tuesday gave city officials an opportunity to grow a little bit... Click here to view the news clipping.

Jacksonville, AR

America's need for heros does not stop short with Arkansas. Last weekend, Arkansas welcomed a true hero to inspire all... Click here to view the news clipping.

Benton, AR

A three-time Paralympic wheelchair athlete rolled into Benton on Thursday as part of his "Journey of a Lifetime"... Click here to view the news clipping.

Malvern, AR

A mighty big puch across America - In hopes of drawing attention to the need of lifelong health and fitness... Click here to view the news clipping .

Shreveport, LA

Paraplegic Athlete promotes fitness, healthawareness... Click here to view the news clipping.

San Antonio, TX

A wheelchair-bound athlete is in San Antonio this weekend preparing for the last portion of a 2,000 mile journey from Detroit to Laredo... Click here to view the news clipping.

Athens, TX

There was an Olympian in Athens Tuesday. Athens Texas... Click here to view the news clipping.

Huntsville, TX

A trip from Detroit to Huntsville by airplane will likely take you three hours. By train, it takes about 35 hours. And by car, the trip is at least 20 hours long. But when Kevin Saunders came into Huntsville on Thursday, it had taken several weeks... Click here to view the news clipping .

Tyler, TX

Wheelchair athlete Kevin Saunders autographs his book "There's always a Way" for Tyler Mayor Joyce Armstrong Scurry... Click here to view the news clipping .

Longview, TX

Former paralimpian athlete Kevin Saunders pushed his wheelchair from Shreveport to Longview to meet with MayorMurray Moore on Friday afternoon... Click here to view the news clipping .

Palestine TX

Paralympic wheelchair athlete Kevin Saunders and his wife Dora, make a stop in Palestine Wednesday as part of a tour to help spread his message on physical fitness... Click here to view the news clipping.

Texarkana, TX

Kevin Saunders is on a journey. His mode of transportation, a wheelchair. His fuel, a strong desire to draw attention to the nation's need for lifelong health and fitness for all people...Click here to view the news clipping.

Corpus Christi, TX

Kevin Saunders, a former Corpus Christi resident and three-time Olympic wheelchair athelete, powers his wheelchair 10.4 miles along Ocean Drive and other streets Tuesday to highlight his Health and Fitness Tour of Amercia, sponsored by HEST Fitness Products in an effort to battle the spread of obesity.... read press coverage in Corpus Christi Caller Times.

Laredo, TX

When Kevin Saunders arrives in Laredo today, his journey by wheelchair from the Canadian border will be complete, but his mission of raising health and fitness awareness remains unfinished... Click here and here to view the news clipping.

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