March 15, 2006
Montanan Elected Chairman of National Silver Haired Congress
Wally Daeley, 74, of Lambert was elected chairman of the National Silver Haired Congress (NSHC) at its recent annual session in Alexandria, Virginia. He will serve in the position for the next two years.
Daeley is also chairman of the Montana Silver Haired Legislature, in which he has represented Richland County since 1995. He said he became involved in the two organizations because “somebody needs to pay attention” to ensure that the growing number of Americans over the age of 60 continues to have access to important services and programs.
Daeley recently returned from the national session and shared the top five priorities identified by the group from among more than 70 resolutions. They were:
- To reauthorize the federal Older Americans Act;
- To extend to Dec. 31 the deadline for enrollment without penalty in the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan;
- To ensure that all seniors have access to dental care through Medicare;
- To develop a national background check and registry for all health-care workers; and
- To initiate congressional action on the recommendations from 2005 White House Conference on Aging.
The resolutions will be presented to both Congress and the President as recommendations for legislation or policy changes to address key aging issues.
The NSHC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots advocacy organization composed of people 60 or older who represent their state or Congressional District. Members have an opportunity to learn about important aging issues and experience the realities of politics. The group was established by Congress in 1994 and held its inaugural session in 1997.
Page last updated: 06/13/2006
