HPPF News Release
April 30, 2006
Contact: Betsy LePoidevin, Holden Public Policy Forum, (314) 968-7423
Arkansas Governor Kicks Off the Holden Public Policy Forum @ Webster University
Governor Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., and chairman of the National Governors Association, will discuss the economic and societal healthcare implications of chronic disease in the United States, Wednesday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Post Office in downtown St. Louis, 815 Olive Blvd. Huckabee is the first speaker as part of the 2006 Healthy Futures Series of the Holden Public Policy Forum @ Webster University.
Huckabee’s efforts to improve his own health received national attention after being diagnosed with Type II diabetes. He lost 110 lbs. and began an effort to encourage Americans to pursue healthy lifestyles. Gov. Huckabee created the ARKids First Program, which provides health insurance to more than 10,000 of the state’s children. He also led a successful ballot initiative to devote the state’s tobacco settlement money to Arkansas health programs and created the Healthy Arkansas initiative to encourage state citizens to stop smoking, exercise and eat healthier. Huckabee is the author of “Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork” (2005, Time Warner), which uses humor and personal experience to outline ways to stop bad habits and begin a healthy lifestyle. His book is available at: http://www.12stops.com/. A question-and-answer session and book signing will follow his remarks.
Holden Public Policy Forum @ Webster University events are held at the Old Post Office, where Webster University has a campus, with forum events taking place in the third floor Missouri Courtroom of Appeals. All forum events are free and open to the public but reservations are required and may be made at: www.webster.edu/holdenppf. Individuals without online access may call: 314-968-8025 for reservations.
The 2006 Healthy Futures Series focuses on public health issues facing America and the world in the 21st century. Upcoming Healthy Futures speakers include Paul Krugman, New York Times columnist, author and Princeton University economics professor, on May 31; Brigadier General Sheila Baxter, Webster University alumna and first female general in the Medical Services Corps, on September 18; and Dr. Charles Inlander, president of the People’s Medical Society and radio commentator, on September 21. Check the website for specific evening lecture times.
Former Missouri Governor Bob Holden and Webster University President Richard S. Meyers, created the a bi-partisan lecture series bringing governors, senators, presidential candidates and private sector public policy leaders to St. Louis to discuss key national and international issues.
Founded in 1915 and based in St. Louis, Missouri, Webster University is a nonprofit, international university with a worldwide network of more than 100 campuses across the United States, Europe and Asia. The University enrolls approximately 20,000 students worldwide and offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the College of Arts and Sciences, the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts, the School of Business and Technology, the School of Communications and the School of Education. The University’s mission is educating students to be lifelong, independent learners in an ever-changing international society.
