Murkowski Recognized As Leader Against Youth Obesity
Senator Receives Breakfast of Champions Award for Ongoing Fight for Youth
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Lisa Murkowski today received the Campaign to End Obesity’s “Breakfast of Champions” award for her consistent fight to raise and maintain nutrition standards for Alaskan school children – as well as adults statewide. She also received a box of cereal with her face on it at the event. (Below)
Most recently, Senator Murkowski has been successful in her efforts to raise nutrition standards in school meals. For the first time in over thirty years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is poised to release updated standards for the nutritional values of food and beverages sold in schools but outside of the school meal programs. Senator Murkowski was the lead Republican co-sponsor of the bill requiring this update – as part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that became law this year.
Senator Murkowski has also been one of the leaders in the U.S. Senate in connecting America’s nutrition and obesity problems with the massive rise in health care costs. Before the recession took hold across the country, she wrote:
“We all know that one of the ways to control medical care costs is through prevention. Where do we start? By living healthy lifestyles, eating right, and getting regular exercise. Nothing new. Nothing fancy. Basic stuff… When are we going to wake up?”
