page_title: Kevin Saunders
section_title: President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition
hierarchical_section_title: Kevin Saunders / Athletic career / President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition
caption_attribution_description: English: Saunders and former Athlete/Actor/California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
context_page_description: Kevin Saunders is an American paralympian and author. He was the first person with a disability appointed to the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, and remains the only person to serve two consecutive terms under different administrations, first under President George H. W. Bush, and later reappointed by President Bill Clinton.
context_section_description: In 1989, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole nominated Saunders to serve on the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition (PCFSN). After meeting with President George H. W. Bush, Saunders became the first person with a disability to serve on the council, working alongside Chairman Arnold Schwarzenegger and other notable health and fitness experts. Saunders was one of just 20 individuals chosen to serve on the PCFSN during the Bush Administration (1989-1993).
  While in Washington, DC to meet with President Bush, Saunders unexpectedly met with Rev. Billy Graham at the White House. Rev. Graham served as spiritual counsel to the president, and the two men spent an hour talking and in prayer. Saunders attributes that conversation with Graham as pivotal in helping strengthen his Faith and his desire to help others through philanthropy and his speaking work.
  In 1994, Saunders became the only person to be reappointed to the council by President Bill Clinton. He served on the council until 2000. Under President George W. Bush, Kevin was named to a Commission by the PCFSN and the US Department of Health and Human Services to come up with a plan to improve fitness and health for people with disabilities.
  He was also commended for his help in the creation of the National Initiative on Physical Fitness for Children and Youth with Disabilities, or the I Can Do It, You Can Do It Program.
  Saunders continued to promote health and fitness after the PCFSN, serving as an International Ambassador for Health, Fitness and Proper Nutrition. In that capacity, Saunders met with government leaders at the city, state and national level in numerous European countries.
caption: Kevin Saunders holding recognition plaque alongside  PCFSN Chairman Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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