December 9, 2005

Michigan’s premiere experts in the field of aging are headed to Washington D.C. this weekend for the 2005 White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA). The Conference, which occurs once every ten years, will be held December 11 to 14. The theme of the conference is The Booming Dynamics of Aging, From Awareness to Action.

The delegates – appointed by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and members of Congress – will outline recommendations for the President and Congress on issues, policy and research in the field of aging. They will lay the outline for a national agenda for the public and private sectors in promoting dignity, health, independence and economic security of current and future generations of older persons.

“Michigan’s delegates are top notch and are passionate about the issues affecting our state’s 1.6 million seniors,” said Sharon L. Gire, Director of the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging. “This is a tremendous opportunity to impact the future of aging policy.”

Michigan’s delegates are:

Mr. Norman Abeles of East Lansing

Mr. Paul Bridgewater of Detroit

Dr. Charles Chambers of Southfield

Mr. Nick Ciaramitaro of Roseville

Ms. Kathy Crawford of Novi

Ms. Georgia Durga of Traverse City

Mr. Larry Erlandson of Holland

Dr. Mohamed F. Farrag of Dearborn

Mr. Willie W. Felder of Detroit

Ms. Beth Fitzimmons of Ann Arbor

Mr. Michael Flory of Okemos

Ms. Sharon L. Gire of Lansing

Ms. Alison Hirschel of Ann Arbor

Ms. Lynn Kellogg of St. Joseph

Ms. Jerutha Kennedy of Detroit

Ms. Kathryn Lawter of Columbiaville

Mr. Jonathan S. Mead of Escanaba

Ms. Marye Miller of Rochester

Ms. Lori Offenbecher of Caro

Dr. Susan Ogland-Hand of Grand Rapids

Ms. Tene Ramsey of Detroit

Mr. Ed Scribner of St. Clair Shores

Mr. Aaron Simonton of Monroe

Mr. Roscoe Stuber of Brighton

Ms. Ginny Wood-Bailey of Onsted

Ms. Renee Wood of Caro

Key programs such as the national aging network, home delivered and congregate meals programs, Medicare and Medicaid, the Older Americans Act, the Supplemental Security Income Program, Social Security reforms, and the National Family Caregiver Support Program were all initiated by past conferences.