Last week, about 500 active senior delegates from across the nation and from many backgrounds joined together in Washington, D.C. for the Alliance Legislative Conference.
Attendees heard from strong political and labor leaders like Reps. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Xavier Becerra, Rep. Raul Grijalva, Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Richard Trumka, Mary Kay Henry, John Sweeney, Randi Weingarten, Gerald McEntee, Dennis Van Roekel and others on issues of importance to them. Singer and activist Judy Collins offered entertainment, while Robert Adler from the Consumer Product Safety Commission provided helpful tips to seniors.
Sessions like "Using Facebook to Communicate"
and "Senior Fraud Patrol: Let's Stop Medicare Fraud" were popular stops in the breakout session circuit.
An entire afternoon was dedicated to lobbying on Capitol Hill. Alliance members who are active year-long in their states around issues like preserving Social Security and Medicare got to visit their Representatives' national offices and discuss these issues with Members of Congress or their staff.
Photos here.
Videos & other materials are coming up here.
2011 Award reciepients included:
Al Hamai - President of the Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans - President's Award
Tony Fransetta - President of the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans - President's Award
Gerald McEntee - President of AFSCME - Leadership Award
Nancy Pelosi - Democratic Leader, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives - Leadership Award
Pictured: Top: Texas Alliance for Retired Americans' Bob Feltzke & Sarah Carothers; Bottom: Texas Alliance delegation visits Congressman Al Green at his D.C. office.