WASHINGTON, DC – Two retired Army generals met with U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) today to voice their support for quality early learning and improved physical activity for students as essential to our future national security.
Burwell B. Bell, General, US Army (Retired) of Ooltewah and George Alexander, MD, Major General, US Army (Retired) met with Sen. Alexander, a key member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, on their support for expanding the scope of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to include a greater focus on high-quality early learning and to include provisions in the Act to ensure that schools report on the quality and quantity of physical education as compared to widely accepted national recommendations.
“Seventy-five percent of young Americans are unable to join the military and a major reason is because they lack the proper education,” said General Bell. “Early learning is a proven strategy to help young people achieve personal and career success.”
“Obesity is the leading medical reason why applicants fail to qualify for military service, with one in four young Americans too overweight to join,” said Major General Alexander. “As the former Deputy Surgeon General for the Army National Guard, I know how important regular exercise is for helping protect youth from becoming obese and improving their health.”
