The Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) of the Arkansas Department of Human Services, in partnership with the Arkansas Area Agencies on Aging, has announced the 2016 nominees for the Senior Arkansans Hall of Fame and inducted three.
Keith Laverne Hamm of Berryville, Phil McBee of Pine Bluff and Harriet Raley of Searcy were recognized at a luncheon during the 20th Biennial Silver Haired Legislative Session at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Little Rock. The nominees included Charlie Baxter, Georgia Childers and Dan Trevathan.
Each year, DAAS recognizes senior Arkansans who have been nominated by other citizens for serving their communities and enhancing the lives of fellow seniors. They must be citizens of the State of Arkansas, at least 60 years or older and have performed outstanding contributions or services. Prior to today, there were 70 seniors in the Hall of Fame.
Presentations were made by Craig Cloud, director of DAAS, and Brad Nye, assistant director of DAAS. The new inductees received a plaque and will have their names added to a plaque in the governor’s office.
Delegates serve as legislators during the two-day session by writing, debating, and voting on bills addressing issues critical to older Arkansans. Prior to the session, the elected delegates received training on topics such as the legislative process, how to write bills, and how a bill becomes a law.
On Wednesday, delegates traveled to the Arkansas State Capitol for committee meetings in the following areas:
- Legal/Revenue and Tax
- Aging Issues
- Service Rates/Funding
- Senior Centers
On Thursday, they’ll hear from Ted Hall, President of the Arkansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Barrett Dudley, Caucus District 4, will read the bills and resolutions to wrap up the session Thursday afternoon.
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.
Older Arkansans interested in becoming a delegate in future sessions should contact the Area Agency on Aging in their county or the Division of Aging and Adult Services. County candidates will need to circulate qualifying petitions and submit them to their Area Agency on Aging.
For more information, contact Gwen Ervin-McLarty of the Division of Aging and Adult Services at 501-320-6557 or gwen.mclarty@dhs.arkansas.gov, your local Area Agency on Aging or the DAAS website at http://www.daas.ar.gov/.