Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Huckabee Named Public Health Legislator of the Year
Awards continue to rain down on Governor Mike Huckabee.It was announced today by the American Public Health Association that he has been named a Distinguished Public Health Legislator of the Year for 2005.
According to the association, Huckabee was recognized because he "has been a leader in improving the health care for the citizens of Arkansas for many years. In 2000, he led a ballot initiative that devotes all of the state’s tobacco settlement money to improving state residents’ health. He recently created the Healthy Arkansas initiative to encourage Arkansans to stop smoking, exercise more and eat healthier."
"Serving as a personal example of living a healthier lifestyle, Huckabee gained national attention for his weight loss success. He was diagnosed with type II diabetes in 2003 and that same year lost 110 pounds. This year, he completed the Little Rock Marathon, and the Road Runners Club of America named him Southern Region Runner of the Year. A book about his healthier lifestyle, “Quit Killing Yourself With a Knife and Fork,” was released earlier this year."
The awards, established by APHA's Executive Board in 1997, honor individuals each year at the federal, state or local levels "who support public health issues and have taken action in the name of public health."
Others receiving the honor include U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-New Mex., U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawaii, and Maryland State Rep. Shirley Nathan-Pulliam.
Congratulations, Governor. It is well-deserved.
BSR
