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Departing Legislators Receive Foundation Recognition for Leadership in Policy Arena

Posted on: Monday, 11 August 2008, 12:01 CDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) presents its 2008 Public Policy Leadership Award to two members of the California State Senate who have influenced millions of lives by advancing public policies that promote the health of Californians. The honorees are Sen. Sheila Kuehl and Sen. Jack Scott. The two departing legislators will be recognized at a ceremony in Sacramento on August 12, 2008.

"Senators Kuehl and Scott deserve to be recognized as champions for the health of underserved people in California," said Gary L. Yates, TCWF president and CEO.

Sen. Sheila Kuehl has devoted 14 years to public service. Among the bills she has authored are measures to protect reproductive rights, fund hospitals and clinics and expand access to primary preventive health and screening services for low-income families. Sen. Kuehl's passionate service as chair of the Senate Health Committee put universal access to health care at the center of California's policy debate. Her health-focused legislative leadership has extended to the areas of environmental health and the prevention of domestic violence.

During his 12 year legislative career, Sen. Jack Scott has been a leader in advancing policies to control the proliferation of guns, improve school safety and enhance youths' access to after-school activities -- strategies that have solid track records for reducing violence against youth. He championed measures to develop the health care workforce by increasing access to higher education and nursing training. After leaving the California State Senate, Scott will serve as chancellor of California's community college system.

"Senators Kuehl and Scott exemplify the spirit of public service and commitment to the health and wellness of their constituents -- and all Californians," said Sandra Martinez, TCWF's program director overseeing the award program.

The purpose of the Public Policy Leadership Award is to recognize departing legislators who have made substantial contributions to the advancement of public policies that promote the health of underserved Californians.

The California Wellness Foundation is an independent, private foundation created in 1992, with a mission to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention. The Foundation prioritizes eight issues for funding: diversity in the health professions, environmental health, healthy aging, mental health, teenage pregnancy prevention, violence prevention, women's health, and work and health. It also responds to timely issues or special projects outside the funding priorities. TCWF is one of the state's largest foundations. Since its first year of operation, the Foundation has awarded 5,169 grants totaling more than $641 million. Last year, TCWF awarded $64 million in grants in pursuit of its mission. Please visit TCWF's website at http://www.tcwf.org/ for more information, including a newsroom section devoted to the Public Policy Leadership Award and the two honorees. Photos suitable for downloading are also available.

The California Wellness Foundation

CONTACT: Cecilia Laiche of The California Wellness Foundation,+1-818-702-1900

Web site: http://www.tcwf.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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