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Seniors sought for 2016 ‘Silver Haired’ legislature

Delegates will address issues critical to older Arkansans

From Gwen Ervin-McLarty DHS Division of Aging & Adult Services

The Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, in partnership with the Arkansas Area Agencies on Aging, is seeking Arkansans age 60 and older to volunteer to serve as delegates to the Twentieth Biennial Silver Haired Legislative Session (SHLS) being held August 17-18. Delegates will serve as legislators in this nonpartisan session by writing, debating, and voting on bills addressing issues critical to older Arkansans.

Organizers are seeking one delegate from each Arkansas county. Anyone interested in becoming a delegate should contact the Area Agency on Aging in their county or the Division of Aging and Adult Services. County candidates need to circulate qualifying petitions and submit them to their Area Agency on Aging by Friday, April 15.

Elected delegates will receive training on topics such as the legislative process, how to write bills, and how a bill becomes a law.

The Silver Haired Legislative Session has been conducted biennially since its institution by a 1977 General Assembly resolution sponsored by Rep. B. G.

Hendrix and the late Rep.

W. F. “Bill” Foster. It is one of at least 28 such sessions held throughout the country to give senior citizens a chance to participate in the legislative process. Bills from the SHLS also have an opportunity to be introduced at a regular legislative session and that has occurred several times.

For more information please contact Gwen Ervin-McLarty of the Division of Aging and Adult Services at 501-320-6557, via e-mail at gwen.mclarty@dhs.arkansa s.gov, or through your local Area Agency on Aging.

You may also access information on the DAAS website at http://www.daas.ar.gov/.