“A strong mind in a strong body.” Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy.

“Health is a human right, not a privilege to be purchased.” Shirley Chisholm, Congresswoman from New York.

Dr. Albert F. Spencer holds a doctoral degree in health and physical education. The areas of health, fitness and wellness have been a guiding interest for him since early childhood. He has spent a career lifetime extolling the virtues of proper nutrition and exercise.
The Center of Disease Control has recently announced that obesity is an epidemic in the United States and the main health concern. Consider:

• 9 million children and adolescents are overweight
• Over 60% of American youth do not exercise on a regular basis
• Obesity is contributory to heart and respiratory disease, type II diabetes, cancer, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure
• Obesity also creates emotional and psychological problems
• By the year 2010, approximately 25% of the elementary school children in South Carolina will be obese and on an early road to ill health
• Alcohol abuse is a major problem of young people in the U.S.A. In South Carolina, it, combined with speeding, has caused our highways to be among the most dangerous in the nation.

We must educate our children and adults to lead healthy lifestyles. Governor Mark Sanford has established an excellent challenge for South Carolinians—walk, jog, run, swim, or bicycle across our beautiful state

Albert F. Spencer supports requiring schools to include daily health and physical education courses as part of the curriculum. The problems of alcohol and drug abuse must be addressed in our schools. Each neighborhood should have a recreational facility that should include a playground for young children as well as walking/jogging/bicycling trails for adolescents and adults.