FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Teresa Lee, or (334) 595-0102

June 3, 2013



Prattville - The National League of Cities (NLC) has recognized Mayor Bill Gillespie, Jr. for recent completion of key health and wellness goals for Let's Move! Cities, Towns, and Counties (LMCTC). LMCTC is a major component of First Lady Michelle Obama's comprehensive Let's Move! initiative, which is dedicated to solving the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation.

"Local elected officials play a critical role in addressing childhood obesity in our country and communities, and we commend those leaders being recognized for their achievements in taking action to improve healthy eating and physical activity in their communities," said NLC President Marie Lopez Rogers, mayor of Avondale, AZ.

Two bronze medals were awarded to the City of Prattville for action taken to improve access to healthy affordable food and increased opportunities for physical activity. These medals were awarded because of Prattville's achievements in collaborating with other agencies on early care and education programs and for also having at least 60% of public schools participating in the School Breakfast Program.

"Since taking the office of Mayor, one of my priorities has been to bring focus and attention to health and wellness," stated Mayor Bill Gillespie, Jr. "Working through the steps of the Let's Move! Cities, Towns and Counties is not only helping us to achieve those goals, but also further enhancing our interagency relationships."

All LMCTC sites have the opportunity to earn up to five gold medals, one for each actionable goal they commit to as part of the initiative. The five goal areas are:

• Goal I: Start Early, Start Smart: Promoting best practices for nutrition, physical activity, and screen time in early care and education settings
• Goal II: My Plate, Your Place: Prominently displaying MyPlate in all municipal or county venues where food is served
• Goal III: Smart Servings for Students: Increasing participation in school breakfast and lunch programs
• Goal IV: Model Food Service: Implementing healthy and sustainable food service guidelines that are aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
• Goal V: Active Kids at Play: Increasing opportunities for physical activity

The National League of Cities (NLC) is the lead collaborating partner on this initiative, working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Association of Counties, and other nonprofit organizations, in assisting local elected officials to implement policy and environmental changes to prevent childhood obesity. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has awarded NLC a grant to provide technical assistance to local elected officials working to create healthier communities and prevent childhood obesity, including sites participating in LMCTC.

More than 320 cities, towns and counties are participating in LMCTC. Each month, NLC recognizes local elected officials who achieve key benchmarks for the five LMCTC goals. To date, NLC has awarded 899 bronze, silver, and gold medals to recognize local elected officials across the country for their progress.

For more information about LMCTC and the City of Prattville's accomplishments, visit www.HealthyCommunitiesHealthyFuture.org.

The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. Working in partnership with the 49 state municipal leagues, NLC serves as a resource to and an advocate for the more than 19,000 cities, villages and towns it represents.

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