Senator Ginny Burdick wins Legislator walking contest

Scholarship to go to public schools for health-related projects

Salem – The Move IT! program, sponsored by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon challenged 90 members of Oregon’s Legislature to wear pedometers in a walking contest over the past six weeks.  Senator Ginny Burdick (D-Portland/Tigard) won the walking contest by walking over 373 miles to raise awareness of the importance to choose healthy lifestyles that includes exercise.  This is the second session in a row that Senator Burdick has won the walking contest.

The prize for winning the walking contest is a $5,000 scholarship, provided by Regence BlueCross BlueShield, to be donated to a school of her choice. These funds assist the local school in developing health-related projects.  This year the $5,000 has been distributed evenly between Metzger Elementary School and Jackson Middle School.  Last year Senator Burdick donated the proceeds to Metzger Elementary School that helped construct a walking track. 

“I believe that we have a responsibility to ourselves and our children to demonstrate healthy lifestyles through our own choices,” Senator Burdick said.  “The legislative body must promote healthy environments in local schools and communities in every way.  I am motivated by this chance to help schools provide physical education opportunities to our youth through the generous donations of Regence BlueCross.”

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