Wednesday, October 24, 2001
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Wednesday, October 24, 2001 |
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Group quietly works on seniors' issues By DAVE
HAMRICK
When the dust settles after a session of the Georgia Legislature, chances are that many of the bills passed actually originated in another body, the Silver Haired Legislature. But the group rarely gets the credit. "If it's something that's really needed, [the Legislature] will take it and run with it," says Joan Neal, Fayette County's representative on the Silver Haired Legislature. "We don't get the credit for it, but that's all right. What we're working for is good legislation." The group, sponsored by the Secretary of State's office, meets annually to discuss concerns of seniors, and passes resolutions and even mock legislation that often is then passed on to the regular Legislature. Its 2001 session is scheduled for Oct. 29-31 in Toccoa. Its work has been going on quietly for decades. Neal, who worked as a lobbyist for educators in Georgia before retiring and once ran for the regular Legislature back in the '70s, says it's a natural activity for her. "I got elected eight or ten years ago," she says. "Then you have to run again every year." Active in a variety of local organizations, including Fayette Senior Services, she not only serves as a member of the organization, but is its speaker of the House protempore. "It's a great organization," says Neal.
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