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Representative Ron Forster |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Rep. Forster Wins2004 Legislative Fitness ChallengeApril 12, 2004 -- Georgia lawmakers completed the 2004 Legislative Fitness Challenge having walked a total of 9,602,050 – approximately 4,800 miles during the legislative session! Representative Ron Forster (R-Ringgold) won this year’s Challenge by taking the most steps of any legislator and attending various educational workshops. Senator Regina Thomas (D-Savannah) led the Challenge in the Senate. The goal of the Challenge was to help raise awareness of the need for increased physical activity for all Georgians. Representative Forster walked a total of 778,035 steps, or approximately 389 miles and Senator Thomas walked 635,063 steps or approximately 317 miles. “I am excited to be the winner of the 2004 Legislative Fitness Challenge,” said Rep. Forster. “Children are less active today, PE is not required in many of Georgia’s schools, and TV & the Internet have become their after-school activity of choice. If our efforts inspire Georgia’s children to get out and walk, those efforts will be a tremendous success. The best part is that people of all fitness levels, ages and abilities can get out and walk to increase their fitness. The benefits of a healthy Georgia actually reduce the burden on the tax payer by reducing our healthcare costs. Preventive healthcare rather than corrective healthcare - what a great concept!” The Legislative Fitness Challenge is a joint effort between the Georgia Legislature, the American Heart Association, the Georgia Coalition for Physical Activity and Nutrition (GPAN), the Georgia Soft Drink Association, and KidsHealth, Inc. The Challenge provided members of the General Assembly with a unique opportunity to further promote Governor Perdue’s 2003 nutrition challenge with a specific emphasis this year on strength and physical activity. Participants received a pedometer to measure the number of steps taken while the General Assembly was in session. They also had the opportunity to participate in 12 weekly instructional classes on health, physical activity, and nutrition. “Children and adolescents who are physically active benefit by having enhanced skeletal development, increased muscle and bone strength, reduced anxiety and stress, and may find it easier to control their weight. Therefore, it is imperative that our children receive daily physical education to combat obesity,” said Lisa Stone, chair of the Georgia Coalition for Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition. “We applaud these members of the General Assembly who have stepped forward – literally – to help raise awareness of the issue.” During the 2004 legislative session, Senate Resolution 578, which promotes physical education and health education in Georgia schools, passed unanimously. An identical resolution, House Resolution 1096, was also adopted in the House. CONTACT: Kevin
Perry GA Soft Drink Association Ann-Marie
White For More Information Contact:
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