07 LC
37 0545
Senate
Resolution 667
By:
Senator Meyer von Bremen of the 12th
A
RESOLUTION
Commending
Youth Becoming Healthy Project, Inc.; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Youth Becoming Healthy (YBH) Project, Inc. was created by Pamela Green-Jackson
in memory of her brother, Bernard Green, who died in February, 2004 from the
effects of obesity-related illnesses; and
WHEREAS,
YBH is a nonprofit organization committed to enriching the quality of life for
youth and their families through nutrition and fitness education;
and
WHEREAS,
YBH's mission is to reduce the epidemic of childhood obesity in middle school
students through a variety of nutrition and fitness programs; and
WHEREAS,
Youth Becoming Healthy is a program designed to remove all barriers to increased
physical activity in middle school students and their families caused by lack of
education about health risks in making unhealthy choices, unsafe neighborhoods
that prevent children from playing outside, and lack of neighborhood sidewalks;
and
WHEREAS,
over 33 percent of middle school students in Georgia are overweight, and Georgia
ranks as the sixth highest obese state in the United States with medical costs
exceeding $2.1 billion; and
WHEREAS,
over 6,700 Georgians died last year from obesity-related illnesses;
and
WHEREAS,
YBH Project addresses this issue with students in their daily school
environments with funding from local businesses and individuals placing fitness
centers in six middle schools in Dougherty County; and
WHEREAS,
cafeteria managers are being asked to change their menus and provide healthier
choices such as salads, baked foods, and vegetables;
and
WHEREAS, a successful campaign to remove unhealthy items from vending machines was implemented last school term; and
WHEREAS, a successful campaign to remove unhealthy items from vending machines was implemented last school term; and
WHEREAS,
YBH is now an integral component of the federally mandated school wellness
policy in Dougherty County Schools; and
WHEREAS,
YBH Fitness Centers are cosponsored corporately by Merck, Palmyra Medical
Centers, P&G, Phoebe Community Visions, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia,
and AstraZeneca; and
WHEREAS,
many other community partners and physicians are stepping forward to offer their
support both financially and in-kind to help curtail the tremendous epidemic of
childhood obesity in the community; and
WHEREAS,
YBH Project firmly believes that through education, incentives, and fitness
alternatives, the number of overweight and obese children will decrease,
thereby greatly enhancing the lives of these children, their families, and their
communities.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend
and recognize the tremendous importance of Youth Becoming Healthy Project and
wish Pamela Green-Jackson and the organization continued success.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Pamela Green-Jackson.