Sen. Black / Blue Cross Blue Shield present $10,000 check to state’s Coordinated School Health Program

(NASHVILLE, TN, April 21, 2008) – State Senator Diane Black (R-Gallatin) and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee recently presented Connie Givens, Executive Director of Tennessee’s Coordinated School Health Program with a $10,000 check to help improve their health education efforts.  Black, who is Senate Republican Caucus Chairman, accepted the check on behalf of the Senate Republicans who won a six-week walking competition over their Democrat colleagues by recording more than one million steps. 

The contest was part of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s “Walking Works Challenge” to raise awareness among legislators of the rising obesity rates and the need to educate and promote the health benefits of walking.  The event included representatives from 19 school systems who came to join legislators in their "Walk Around the Capitol" to conclude the “challenge.”  The group was joined by Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville), Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), Senator Steve Southerland (R-Morristown), and Senator Andy Berke (D-Chattanooga).    

“This challenge has been a huge success in getting my colleagues to step up their walking,” said Black, who is also a registered nurse.  “We not only helped provide needed funds to promote healthy children in Tennessee through our Coordinated Health Program, but it spurred many of my colleagues to put in the extra miles which is healthy for them as well.”

Blue Cross Blue Shield representative David Locke said, “Obesity rates in the U.S. are skyrocketing.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, the number of overweight children aged 6-11 more than doubled in the past 20 years.  In Tennessee the problem is in the forefront as signified by reports such as America’s which named Tennessee in the bottom five states for overall health in 2007.” 

“This generation of youth is predicted to be the first generation who will not outlive their parents,” Black added.  “That is why it is so important that we raise awareness among our youth to adopt healthy lifestyles.” 

Blue Cross Blue Shields - Walking Works Challenge


Connie Givens, Executive Director of Tennessee’s Coordinated School Health Program, David Locke, representing Blue Cross Blue Shield, Senator Diane Black and Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey

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