The White House Conference on Aging occurs once each decade for the purpose of making recommendations to the President and Congress on research and policy in the field of aging. On December 11th, twelve hundred delegates will gather in Washington, DC from throughout the country to participate in the 2005 White House Conference on Aging, the fifth such conference in our nation’s history. Twelve of these delegates will represent Oklahoma.
This Oklahoma delegation – announced on June 1st – consists of three delegates named by Governor Brad Henry, seven named by members of Oklahoma’s Congressional delegation, and two named by the National Congress of American Indians. They are: Mich Magness, Oklahoma City; Mary Lee Warren, Stillwater; Rev. George E. Young, Oklahoma City; Mynan Hutto, Duncan; Dr. Kathleen Briggs, Stillwater; Theo Crawley, Weleetka; Pat Woods, Ada; Denise Bender, Oklahoma City; Lynne Bussell, Enid; Roger Scott, Jenks; Maudean Harden, Oklahoma City; Stephen Wilson, Okmulgee.
Past White House Conferences on Aging, occurring in 1961, 1971, 1981 and 1995, made strides in the area of aging by contributing to the establishment of many key programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, the Older Americans Act, the Supplemental Security Income Program, Social Security reforms, and the establishment of the National Institute on Aging. The 2005 conference timely occurs as nearly 78 million baby boomers prepare to turn 60 years old in 2006 and thus creates an important opportunity to assess aging in America and improve the lives of all older Americans.
The delegates participating in this conference will vote on resolutions and develop strategies that will help the President and Congress shape aging policies for the next ten years and beyond. The theme for this 2005 conference is “The Booming Dynamics of Aging: From Awareness to Action.”
In a June 1st press release, the White House Conference on Aging committee chairman Dorcas Hardy remarked, “Each [delegate] has an opportunity to take action that will benefit current and future generations of American seniors. I look forward to greeting all the delegates when they come to Washington, DC energized and ready to make history.”
More information about the 2005 White House Conference on Aging may be found on the website www.whcoa.gov or by writing 2005 White House Conference on Aging, 4350 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814.
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