Title
To Honor and Recognize John Gregory and the 7th Annual African American Male Wellness Walk on Saturday, August 13, 2011.
Body
WHEREAS, The African American Male Wellness Walk was established in 2004 by John Gregory with the objective to bring awareness to the fact that African American men are dying at an alarming rate from many preventable conditions; and
WHEREAS, the walk began with approximately 700 participants and has grown to over 4,000; and
WHEREAS, the walk brings focus and awareness to the facts that African American men live 7.5 years less than other ethnic groups, are 5 times more likely to die for HIV/AIDS, are 4 times as likely to suffer from kidney failure, and have higher incidences of prostate cancer and diabetes; and
WHEREAS, there has been an increase in the number of males who are going to the doctor to receive regularly scheduled check-ups as a result of the free health care screenings and healthy lifestyle information given at the walk; and
WHEREAS, the overall goals for the walk are to increase the number of African American Men who visit the physician, create health and wellness awareness within the African-American community, and to heighten the awareness of the benefits of regular physical exercise and diet for men; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gregory's ultimate vision to increase the awareness of health and wellness among men in the African American community will be realized with the expansion of the walk nationally and one day establishing a Men's Health Clinic; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby honor and recognize John Gregory and the 7th Annual African American Male Wellness Walk on Saturday, August 13, 2011 and thank Mr. Gregory for his ongoing efforts to increase awareness of health and wellness in the African American community.