89R6217 AMB-D
By: Flores S.C.R. No. 2
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Texas Silver-Haired Legislature has benefited
our state in countless ways over the course of four decades, and its
achievements are indeed deserving of recognition; and
WHEREAS, Designed to encourage older Texans to take an active
role in legislative and governmental affairs, TSHL traces its
origins to April 1985, when the 69th Texas Legislature passed
S.C.R. 37 to establish the program; the elected members of the
inaugural TSHL body met for a training and orientation session in
July 1986, and they were sworn in by the Texas secretary of state
the following September; the initiative was modeled on similar
programs in other states, the first of which was organized in
Missouri in 1973; and
WHEREAS, Today, TSHL is a nonpartisan organization composed
of up to 123 members, age 60 and over, who are elected by and
represent the state's 28 Texas Area Agencies on Aging; TSHL members
strive to promote good government by discussing and advocating for
action on issues affecting older Texans; and
WHEREAS, In carrying out their work, members serve on
committees covering a range of subject areas; during the group's
biennial legislative session at the Texas Capitol, members debate
and vote on resolutions addressing key issues, and the approved
resolutions are presented to state lawmakers and other officials;
over the years, TSHL has impacted more than 275 pieces of
legislation, and its involvement has resulted in legislative action
on a variety of issues, including the establishment of the Silver
Alert program for missing seniors, criminal penalties for senior
financial abuse, and efforts to assure the soundness of pension
funding for the Employees Retirement System and Teacher Retirement
System of Texas; and
WHEREAS, The vitality of our democratic system depends on an
informed and engaged citizenry, and since its inception, the Texas
Silver-Haired Legislature has made a positive difference in the
Lone Star State by drawing on the knowledge and experience of older
Texans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate April as Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Month;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section
391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect
until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally
passed by the legislature.