Dr. Clayton Lawrence Testifies at Mayor-Elect Bowser’s Public Engagement Forum

Washington, DC, December 06, 2014 --(PR.com)-- On Tuesday, December 2nd, Dr. Clayton G. Lawrence, CEO of Lawrence Executive Alliance of Professionals (LEAP), LLC, and Chairman of LEAP Foundation DC, was invited to speak at the Health, Human Services and Homelessness Committee Public Engagement Forum. The forum, held by Mayor-Elect Muriel Bowser, was an opportunity for well-known and highly regarded leaders and citizens of the Washington D.C. community to express thoughts and ideas, as well as bring awareness to issues that they felt were of the utmost importance for the new administration to focus on as Mayor-Elect Bowser takes office.

Dr. Lawrence focused on key health, wellness, and fitness issues in his testimony before the public forum. His speech, provided in its entirety, was as follows:

“Good Afternoon,

“My name is Dr. Clayton Lawrence and I would like to begin this afternoon by congratulating Mayor-Elect Muriel Bowser and her entire staff on winning the election for mayor of Washington D.C., and I would like to offer my support to the mayor-elect as she begins leading this great city to even greater heights.

“As a veteran of the United States Army, a doctor, and the CEO of a healthcare firm and chairman of a foundation here in Washington D.C., I have developed a deep appreciation for and a strong awareness of so many of the things that make Washington D.C. great, as well as many of the challenges that are unique to our community. In addition to the active role I have played as a member of the Armed Forces, as a physician, and as business leader in this community, I am a long-time resident of Washington D.C. Having lived here for the last 13 years, I am a citizen with a vested interest in seeing this city continue to grow and thrive in ways unlike we’ve seen before.

“While there are a number of areas that mayor-elect will undoubtedly be focused on as she takes office, there are five key areas that I would like to address today, areas that I ask that the mayor-elect would keep at the forefront of her mind as she serves the citizens of D.C.

“First, President Obama and his administration have made great strides in providing equal access to healthcare for every American through the passage of the Affordable Care Act. While more men, women, and children have access to healthcare than ever before, it is important that D.C. take a leading role in further removing barriers to access for healthcare, as well as educating its citizens on the importance of living and leading proactive and healthy lifestyles.

“Second, it has been no secret that the great men and women who have served and are currently serving this nation in our military have been battling tremendous odds to receive timely and quality access to healthcare, housing, and job opportunities when in need. It is an absolute travesty to have these brave men and women denied access to some of the most basic, but undeniably significant resources needed to live healthy and productive lifestyles, and Washington D.C. must make taking care of its servicemen and women a top priority.

“Third, our nation has been battling an epidemic of obesity for the better part of the last two decades. While First Lady Michelle Obama has taken this challenge head-on through implementing a number of health and wellness initiatives, our nation’s citizens must continue to be provided with the information and resources needed to fully engage and commit to healthier living. A more dedicated focus on preventing and diminishing obesity in the D.C. community can serve as an example to the rest of the country, an example that will be a testament to the true benefits of maintaining healthy lifestyles.

“Fourth, and going hand-in-hand with the challenge of battling obesity, D.C. must be leader in striving to engage its citizens in lasting physical fitness. A city-wide focus encouraging citizens to be fit through hosting wellness events, partnering with local health-based businesses, and developing an involvement in local recreational organizations will provide a message to the D.C. community that fitness is a priority that this administration recognizes as being critical to the overall health and success of its citizens and the city.

“Last, D.C. must keep a watchful and caring eye on its elderly community and commit to making certain that we do not overlook such an integral part of our population. Caring for our elderly as our nation’s population ages will determine the true state and character of our healthcare system and the equality it provides for all. In short, it is my hope that this administration will focus on the overall health and well-being of the remarkable people in Washington D.C., as it will be these remarkable people who make this city even more remarkable.

“Since the inception of my medical staffing company, Lawrence Executive Alliance of Professionals (LEAP), LLC in 2007, and my non-profit foundation, LEAP Foundation DC, in 2009, I have dedicated myself, my employees, and my companies to addressing each of these issues in the D.C. community. Through providing medical services globally to members of the military and civilians alike, creating access to health and educational opportunities for disadvantaged citizens in the greater D.C. area, and leading by example as a fitness expert, both LEAP, LLC and LEAP Foundation D.C. have established a commitment to ensuring that each company serves this community in meaningful and powerful ways for years to come.

“Moving forward, I am interested in and look forward to the opportunity to work alongside Mayor-Elect Bowser to support her administration in any way that I can, and will do so in the sincere hope that our citizens will be better served and better cared for over the course of the leadership of this new administration.”

To learn more about Dr. Clayton Lawrence, Lawrence Executive Alliance of Professionals (LEAP), LLC, and LEAP Foundation DC, visit www.leap4staffing.com and www.leapfoundationdc.org .