Governor Phil Bredesen recognized on Thursday ten programs and organizations, five of which were from Chattanooga, from across the state for their efforts in the promotion of healthy lifestyles. These organizations have been honored
by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health as the 2009
Shining Star Award recipients.

“I applaud the efforts of these organizations in improving the health
and fitness of Tennessee citizens,” said Tennessee Governor Phil
Bredesen. “The work of these groups and the individuals they inspire
helps Tennessee become a healthier state and puts us on track to live
longer lives.”

Shining Star Awards are given for work to promote healthy habits in the
following areas: Where we Live (communities), Work (employers), and
Learn (educational settings). The 2009 Shining Star Award recipients are
as follows:

City of Johnson City
Eastman Chemical Co., Kingsport
Hamblen County Health Council, Morristown
Lewis County Health Council, Hohenwald
Orange Grove Center, Chattanooga
Outdoor Chattanooga Mobile Bicycle Fleet
United Way of Greater Chattanooga
The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga
Vanderbilt University, Nashville
WDEF News 12, Chattanooga

“These Shining Star Award winners prove that just a bit of motivation
is all it takes to help people become more active and improve their
health and fitness,” said Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, Commissioner of
Health. “Community efforts like these, in partnership with state
initiatives including Project Diabetes and Get Fit Tennessee, are
encouraging more Tennesseans to make the changes to lead more healthful
lives.”

The Tennessee Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health was
created to address the health and fitness needs of all Tennesseans
through the promotion of healthy lifestyles. The council recognizes that to be successful in affecting a change in the lifestyle habits of
Tennesseans, a cooperative effort will be required of government
agencies, businesses, communities and individuals that share the goal of
enhancing the quality of life in Tennessee through the promotion of
healthy lifestyles.

For more information visit the Tennessee Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health’s Web site at http://health.state.tn.us/governorscouncil/index.shtml.

Governor Bredesen has been instrumental in the creation and development of several initiatives aimed at improving Tennesseans’ health status. Project Diabetes is his public health initiative launched in 2006 to address the epidemic of Type 2 diabetes in Tennessee. To learn
more about Project Diabetes, call 615-253-8729 or e-mail
Project.Diabetes@tn.gov.

Governor Bredesen also created Get Fit Tennessee, a statewide awareness
program to educate Tennesseans about Type 2 diabetes and risk factors
that lead to the disease, such as obesity. Visit the Get Fit Web site at
www.getfittn.com for more information and free tools that can help you
improve your health and fitness.