Friday, April 2, 2010

Senator Kearney Announces 4th Annual Children's Health Walk


CINCINNATI – Today Senator Eric H. Kearney (D-Cincinnati) announced that he will embark on a 102 mile, four-day walk from Cincinnati to Columbus to bring attention to children’s health issues.

The theme of this year’s walk is fighting childhood obesity through exercise and healthy eating. Kearney hopes to highlight Senate Bill 210 and House Bill 373. The bi-partisan legislation is jointly sponsored by Senator Kearney, Senator Kevin Coughlin, Representative Lynn Watchman and Representative John Carney. The bill contains school-based initiatives that will increase physical activity, raise the bar for physical education and improve the nutritional value of foods offered during the school day. For more information on the bill visit http://www.healthychoiceshealthychildren.com/.

“Childhood obesity can lead to life long problems ranging from heart disease and diabetes to depression,” Kearney cautioned. “If we don’t address these health problems at a young age it will only become more damaging and harder to treat as the child grows.”

Senator Kearney invites the community to attend the kick-off for his walk on Friday, April 23rd at South Avondale Elementary school. The event, located at 636 Prospect Place, starts at 8:00 AM.

Kearney will be joined by supporters from the Ohio Business Roundtable, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Ohio State Medical Association, Childhood Food Solutions and the Center for Closing the Health Gap.

"My goal is to get families moving. We need to think about exercise and good food choices,” Kearney noted. “Moderate physical activity can change a child’s life and give good health habits for life. It’s time we start treating obesity as the serious health problem that it is."

Kearney completes the walk on April 26th on the steps of the Senate Building in Columbus at about 5:00 PM. All are invited to celebrate his arrival.

The Caucus


Minority Leader Eric H. Kearney - Cincinnati - 9th District
Assistant Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni - Canfield - 33rd District
Minority Whip Nina Turner - Cleveland - 25th District
Assistant Minority Whip Edna Brown - Toledo - 11th District
Senator Tom Sawyer - Akron - 28th District
Senator Charleta B. Tavares - Columbus - 15th District
Senator Shirley Smith - Cleveland - 21st District
Senator Michael J. Skindell - Cleveland - 23rd District
Senator Lou Gentile - Steubenville - 30th District
Senator Capri S. Cafaro - Hubbard - 32nd District

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