Sen. Richardville kicks off National Walk @ Lunch Day legislative challenge at the state Capitol
LANSING--Sen. Randy Richardville today kicked off the second annual National Walk @ Lunch Day six-week government challenge by hosting a walk around the Capitol for state legislators.
“The challenge is a healthy competition between Michigan legislators to determine who can walk the farthest distance over six weeks,” said Richardville, R-Monroe. “This important public awareness and education effort teaches legislators, staff and state residents how to integrate more walking into everyday life so they can live healthier and reduce health programs down the road.”
Richardville and other lawmakers were joined by Ernie Harwell, the legendary Hall of Fame Detroit Tigers broadcaster. Harwell has served as the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s health and fitness advocate since 2003. At a healthy 90 years old, he has long supported walking as the perfect exercise.
“The best thing about walking is that just about anybody can do it,” Harwell said. “It’s a great activity for the whole family.”
Richardville won the challenge last year. As a member of the state House in 2004, he placed first in the Healthy Michigan Caucus Walk Challenge.
“National Walk at Lunch Day makes Americans aware of the benefits of walking by motivating people to add more steps to their day and providing them with simple ways to adopt healthier lifestyles,” Richardville said. “With health care expenditures rising and Americans becoming less active, every step truly counts.”
Two out of three adult Americans do not reach the recommended level of physical activity for their age and more than a third are not physically active.
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Editor’s note: A photograph of Sen. Richardville walking with Ernie Harwell at the state Capitol is available on the Senate Majority Photowire, located at: http://www.MISenateGOP.com/photowire.asp?District=17
Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008
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