OKC Mayor Invited as Michelle Obama's Guest to State of Union

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett will join First Lady Michelle Obama as her guest at President Obama's State of the Union Address this week.

The invitation is intended to highlight Oklahoma's City's "This City Is Going On A Diet!" initiative.

Last Wednesday, Mrs. Obama commended Mayor Cornett for challenging Oklahoma City residents to lose 1 million pounds and creating the Web site ThisCityIsGoingOnADiet.com.

"More than anything, just thrilled that they are willing to highlight our initiative. I think it shows the success of Oklahoma City's efforts to curb obesity. It's a big problem here and a lot of other places," said Mayor Cornett. "She's very interested in what's gone on in Oklahoma because there's the perception and certainly some reality about Oklahoma City's success. Certainly we've raised awareness on the issue of obesity here in Oklahoma. She's now taking a very similar message nation-wide."

While introducing her own childhood obesity initiative during the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. last week, Michelle Obama praised Mayor Cornett for using his "bully pulpit," saying, "That's what Mayor Cornett did, when he started talking about the problem of obesity and lost 40 pounds himself to get down to his target weight. And the people of his city took notice. When he goes to restaurants now, everyone watches what he orders. And a reporter quoted one of his constituents saying, ‘When the mayor pushes you to lose weight, that says something.'"

President Obama's State of the Union address is schedule for 8 p.m. Wednesday night.

More on News9.com: First Lady Michelle Obama Recognizes OKC Mayor for City's Weight Loss Plan