CMS sixth grade Major Dukes addresses State Senate

Carson Middle School sixth grader Major Dukes spoke to the Georgia State Senate on March 3, as part of Healthy Kids Challenge Day at the Capitol.

“Major is a great advocate for healthy lifestyle decisions and I was thrilled to welcome him to the Senate today,” said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, who along with Senator Johnny Grant invited Major to speak to the Senate. “As Lt. Governor, I am gravely concerned about the every growing childhood obesity epidemic. With Georgia having the 2nd highest childhood obesity rates in the nation, it is high time for us to reverse these troubling trends. That is why I launched the Lt. Governor’s Healthy Kids Challenge, so our children are exposed to healthy lifestyles early in life and are able to avoid sever health consequences later in life including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.”

Cagle launched the Lt. Governor’s Healthy Kids Challenge in August of 2010 with the goal of enrolling an additional 50 Georgia Schools in the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program. By third grade nearly a quarter of children in Georgia are considered obese, and almost half of children ages 10 to 14 fail to meet the national recommended level of physical activity. The Lt. Governor’s Healthy Kids Challenge is a voluntary program that brings schools, communities, parents, and teachers together to transform schools into environments that promote healthy eating habits and physical activity.

“Major is an energetic and talented young man who addressed the Senate and led the 56-member body in calisthenics to get the day going,” said Senator Johnny Grant. “He is the kind of example we need for Georgia’s youth and adults.”

Major serves as a member of the National Youth Advisory Board for the EmpowerMe movement. Active in gymnastics, Boy Scouts and baseball, he also serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. He is the son of Gordon and Leah Dukes and the brother of Tucker.

“I’m excited to be here at the Capitol today and appreciate the chance to share my story about healthy lifestyle decisions,” Major said. “I like to ride my bike outside and eat fruits like bananas, grapes and strawberries to stay healthy. I think it is important for other kids to make smart decisions today because poor choices could cause health problems like heart disease and harm their future later in life. Healthy schools are important because if you don’t get the chance to make healthy decisions there you won’t be able to stay healthy.”

Students from Carson Middle School and Greene County High School also traveled to the Capitol to observe Major’s presentation to the Senate.

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