MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hewes, Burton, Butler, Carmichael, Dearing, Frazier, Gollott, Michel, Montgomery, Watson
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING CHEF LUIS BRUNO, FORMER EXECUTIVE CHEF FOR THE GOVERNOR OF MISSISSIPPI AND LEADING HEALTHY FOOD ADVOCATE, AS AN UNOFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, AND CONGRATULATING HIM ON HIS MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC BROADCASTING PRODUCTION "COOKING FOR LIFE WITH CHEF LUIS BRUNO."
WHEREAS, Mississippi leads the nation in obesity and diabetes. One person in Central Mississippi has committed a dedicated effort in making a difference and that is Chef Luis Bruno; and
WHEREAS, to help combat these life-threatening issues, Mississippi Public Broadcasting is developing a partnership with Chef Bruno by presenting a new television program featuring his quest to teach people about healthy options in their diet and to educate the people of Mississippi on the resources of our state's agricultural industries. The new television show, "Cooking for Life with Chef Luis Bruno," will educate and entertain the audience on the value of healthy eating, the benefit of reading labels, fresh food preparation, and the origins of the food we eat. This will be a cooking show that educates viewers and also is available for teachers to incorporate into their curriculum; and
WHEREAS, Chef Luis, a Puerto Rican born in the Bronx as a mere two and a half pound preemie, struggled through a hard childhood and Luis gained weight until he weighed over 400 pounds. Confronted by the reality of an uncertain future due to his obesity and the health complications that he faced, he made a conscious decision to change his lifestyle and lost over 200 pounds, reversing his health complications. This change started him on the path of making a difference in improving the lives of those around him; and
WHEREAS, after nine years as Executive Chef for the Governor of Mississippi, he worked on his objective of improving our children's lives by working with the Mississippi Diabetes Foundation, Mississippi Heart Association, Blair E. Batson's Children's Hospital and the Just Have a Ball Foundation; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, Chef Luis published his first cookbook, "Don't Feel Guilty, Eat IT!", which offers alternative suggestions for a healthier lifestyle. Chef Luis has had the unique opportunity to share the stage with many well known celebrity chefs such as Emeril Lagasse, Tyler Florence, Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay and Paula Deen. He has just taped a guest appearance on Paula Deen's Food Network show, "Paula's Best Dishes" which will air in June of this year. He will also be a part of the live Rachael Ray event that will take place April 10th in the Mississippi Coliseum. His story has been featured in Men's Health Magazine and an article is scheduled to run in the June issue of Southern Living; and
WHEREAS, in addition to an in-studio broadcast, Chef Luis visits various areas of the state to introduce popular local chefs to his audience through their favorite recipes and discuss how to create healthy, yet still delicious, alternatives to these beloved regional favorites:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and salute Chef Luis Bruno, former Executive Chef for the Governor of the State of Mississippi, for his educational and civic leadership through his popular cookbooks and television show "Cooking for Life with Chef Luis Bruno" and as an unofficial Ambassador for the State of Mississippi, and extend to him our best wishes for future success. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Chef Luis Bruno, forwarded to Mississippi Public Broadcasting and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.