Senator Hune offered the following concurrent resolution:

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 33.

            A concurrent resolution to commend the Five Healthy Towns Foundation on its efforts to cultivate personal and community health and wellness for residents in their service area within the state of Michigan.

Whereas, April is National Move More Month and nutrition is a strong focus of the Five Healthy Towns Foundation; and

            Whereas, Healthy living, including good nutrition and an active lifestyle, prevents and delays chronic disease including diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, stroke, and others; and

            Whereas, More Michigan residents smoke and our population is more obese than the national average, contributing up to 75% of the personal and financial cost of chronic diseases in Michigan; and

Whereas, Michigan spends more than $13 billion per year in unnecessary health care costs, much of which is related to smoking and obesity; and

Whereas, The state of Michigan and its Legislature are committed to the prevention of chronic disease; and

Whereas, In the Governor’s Health and Wellness Message, in September 2011, he stated, “Our vision is for Michiganders to be healthy, productive individuals, living in communities that support health and wellness, with ready access to an affordable, person-centered, and community-based system of care”; and          

            Whereas, Healthy living includes proper nutrition, regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco and other unhealthy substances, as well as a connection to a community; and

Whereas, Five Healthy Towns Foundation engages their community to facilitate healthy living by supporting and managing four Wellness Centers dedicated to health and wellness activities, education, prevention, and community edification; and

            Whereas, Five Healthy Towns Foundation engages communities to support healthy living through grassroots coalitions to encourage healthy choices like eating better, moving more, avoiding tobacco and other unhealthy substances, and making healthy connections in their community; and

Whereas, Five Healthy Town Foundation engages with governmental and other state agencies and organizations to support healthy living including the Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Fitness Foundation, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, Department of Transportation, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Education, Healthy Kids Healthy Michigan, Michigan Farmer’s Market Association, and others to cultivate personal and community health and wellness; and

            Whereas, The achievement of healthy living will significantly reduce the risk of developing chronic disease, reduce disability and the risk of premature death secondary to chronic disease, and reduce spending on healthcare; and

Whereas, Living healthy will improve the quality and satisfaction of the lives of Michigan’s citizens; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That we recognize the importance of healthy living and the importance it holds for residents of Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That we commend the Five Healthy Towns Association on its efforts to ensure healthy living for residents of Michigan.