Sen. Harkin receives award from Ringgold County

MOUNT AYR — U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin was recognized with a Champion Award Feb. 7 for his Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) contributions. The award was presented to Laura Sands on Harkin’s behalf by Chris Doster, CPPW program director for Ringgold County.

“Tom Harkin has been a long-time champion for creating stronger, healthier and more productive communities,” said Doster. “I am pleased to present this award to Senator Harkin for his numerous investments into America’s health, including Communities Putting Prevention to Work. Certainly, CPPW would not have been the program it was without Senator Harkin.”

This award honors the impact Harkin’s efforts have had in Iowa, and across the United States, to help prevent chronic diseases associated with poor nutrition, lack of physical activity and tobacco use. The nationwide CPPW community investments have resulted in far-reaching and sustainable changes including smoke-free places, reductions in youth access to tobacco products, improved physical activity and increased access to healthier foods and beverages.

“Celebrating healthy communities is something we all have a stake in, and I am honored to be recognized as a CPPW Champion for securing funding for this effort,” said Harkin. “When residents see their friend or neighbor taking steps to prevent chronic disease, our country as a whole is healthier and productive and health-care costs are reduced over the long-term. I am proud that Iowa has led this effort – in fact, the Harkin Wellness Grants served as the model nationwide. I am also proud that Iowa continues to lead the way on prevention, through CPPW grants in Ringgold and Linn counties.”

The CPPW grants were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.