Monday, I signed an executive order establishing the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and launched www.HealthyFloridians.com to promote and encourage healthy lifestyles for children and all Floridians.

The Council will review the implementation of daily physical education courses for elementary school students. By helping children develop healthy lifestyles early, we increase the chances they will make healthy choices throughout their entire lives.

Children's Week Celebrated

Tuesday, I participated in a Take Stock in Children rally. The organization helps Florida's children by providing scholarships, mentors and guidance counseling. I also attended Autism Awareness Day, hosted by the Autism Society of Florida. The group encourages awareness of the disability, creating many opportunities to improve the quality of life for Floridians with disabilities and their dedicated caregivers.

Legislators Reward Top Performers

Thursday, I met with teachers, school board members, legislators and Andy Ford, president of the Florida Education Association while I signed the Teacher Bonus Bill. The legislation created the Merit Reward Program which provides muchdeserved performance bonuses for educators.

The Teacher Bonus Bill is a great first step in recognizing the value our teachers have in shaping the future of our children. Performance bonuses based on a formula that includes both student academic achievement and the principal's evaluation of teacher performance will enable Florida to recruit and retain the best and brightest to teach our children.

Anti-Murder Act in Action

This week, the first arrest under the Anti-Murder Act occurred in Jacksonville. A sex offender was arrested for violating the privilege of probation and is currently being held without bail. A judge will determine if he is a danger to the community. If he is, then he will go back to prison. Thanks to the hard work of the Florida Legislature, just a few weeks after becoming a law, the Anti- Murder Act is making progress towards keeping violent criminals off our streets and away from our children.