First Lady Michelle Obama pays tribute to Jersey City and others

JERSEY CITY – The city of Jersey City was recognized Wednesday by First Lady Michelle Obama, representatives from the National League of Cities (NLC), and several federal agencies at the White House during a celebratory event honoring the achievements made by local elected officials participating in the Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC) initiative. Department of Health and Human Services Director Stacey Flanagan attended the event, representing the city and the HHS staff whose work contributed to Jersey City being a leader in the initiative.
Jersey City was the first city in the TriState area to achieve the five Lets Move! initiative goals and attain gold status.
“The work the Health Department is doing is changing lives across the city, as more and more residents young and old are becoming active, eating healthier and engaging with their community,” said Mayor Fulop. “We couldn’t be prouder of this recognition by the First Lady and the Obama Administration, which acknowledges the success of our HHS staff in the Let’s Move! campaign, which has been a launching pad for additional health programs and partnerships.”
During the event, the First Lady announced that 500 cities, towns and counties, including Jersey City, have committed to the five goals in the LMCTC initiative since July 2012. LMCTC is a key part of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative and helps local elected officials, their staff and communities ensure all children grow up healthy and have the ability to reach their full potential. NLC works in partnership with Let’s Move! and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide assistance to local elected officials.
Jersey City is part of a growing national movement to build healthier communities and ensure that the health and wellbeing of young people today and that of future generations is a priority.
In 2013, Mayor Fulop tasked the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to spearhead a citywide push for fitness initiatives. The Mayor’s Partnership for a Healthier JC and the #healthierJC brand were established soon after. The LMCTC program provided a solid, comprehensive set of goals for the city.