By John Mayo (D., DeSoto County)

Mississippi House of Representatives

For all who feel the state should not be taking some responsibility for our obesity problem, I ask you to read the attached Washington Post article.

The military is having a serious recruiting problem for a number of reasons, but the two leading causes are education and obesity.  There's a lot of talk out there to try to improve one and reduce the other. 

I kid you not, in this country's history with our social problems, it has been the military that has found the solutions to them....race, gender, equal opportunity...the military has been the leader in resolving this country's social issues.  The military will take a lead in resolving these, too.

Here's the link. I hope you take the time to read the article.

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/04/AR2009110402899.html

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is seeking to establish a world class facility to research and find answers to resolving the obesity issue.  They will need state funding to access $4-5 for every $1 we put in.

John