Clinton shows his heart smarts
By Dana Bisbee
Sunday, May 14, 2006 - Updated: 10:14 AM EST
The man from Hope brought a message of hope last night to a new generation at the American Heart Association’s annual gala at the Westin Hotel.
Once an overweight child and more recently a heart bypass patient, former President Bill Clinton has teamed up with the association to create the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to help stop childhood obesity by 2010.
“We have a generation of Americans to save and a country to put right,” Clinton told an audience of 700 gathered for a dinner dance and auction.
“There is no bigger problem than childhood obesity.”
The William J. Clinton Foundation and the heart association recently announced an agreement with fast-food and soft-drink manufacturers to pull their high-calorie food and non-diet sodas from schools.
“The program will be in 75 percent of schools by 2008 and in all schools the next year,” he said. “This one agreement could save 150 calories per day for children.”
The hope is that today’s 8- year-old will be 20 pounds lighter by his high school graduation than today’s 18-year-old.
Titled “Love American Style,” last night’s Heart Ball featured speakers included Improper Bostonian columnist and heart attack survivor Jonathan Soroff and former State Street Bank CEO David Spina.
Dr. Alice Jacobs, a past association president, received the Paul Dudley White Award. Philips Medical Systems was also honored.
WCVB-TV’s Heather Unruh was emcee. Boch Automotive’s Ernie Boch Jr. and WAAF-FM’s Greg Hill were auctioneers.
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