John Thompson, current Speaker of the Senior Tar Heel Legislature, was also selected this year to participate in the Senior Leadership Initiative program, sponsored by the UNC Institute on Aging. John retired after 34 years with the federal government, most recently with the Defense Contract Management Agency in Washington, DC. He and his wife, Cynthia, chose to retire to coastal Newport where he represents seniors on aging issues.

When you think of advocacy for older adults, you have to give thought to the only state-wide organization that was created for that purpose by legislative act, namely, the Senior Tar Heel Legislature.

The STHL was created by the North Carolina General Assembly with the passage of Senate Bill 479 in July 1993. One of the sponsors of that bill, then Senator Bev Perdue, had the vision of an organization with a representative (delegate) from each of the state’s 100 counties. Delegates, 60 years of age or older, would advocate on behalf of older adults and serve as a source of information on aging issues and programs. A forum, modeled after the NC General Assembly, would be convened three times a year in Raleigh to establish priorities for the upcoming year.

A large part of the STHL’s advocacy is centered on five established priorities that are voted on by the full body. These priorities are a result of a resolutions-vetting process that starts in May of even numbered years. Initially, more than a score of resolutions are sponsored by delegates from all parts of the state. These are assigned to various issues committees for evaluation, discussion and recommendation. Those accepted are forwarded to the Resolutions Committee where they are further evaluated and discussed. Finally, five resolutions are recommended to the full STHL body for vote in October at which time they become STHL’s new priorities.

During the odd-numbered years and for the upcoming short session at the NC General Assembly, the STHL reviewed the existing priorities and made small, but very important changes to the wording. For example; two of our 2011 priorities asked for increased funding for programs. It was the consensus of the Issues and Executive Committees that in today’s tough budgetary times, asking for more money just wasn’t prudent. As a result, the word “increase” was changed to “maintain.” The following is a summary of our five priorities:

•  Restore funding to sustain Project CARE (Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty)
•  Maintain funding for home and community-based services for older adults
•  Maintain funding for senior centers
•  Mandate pre-employment and random drug testing for employees of nursing, assisted living and adult day care homes
•  Dental care for NC adult special care population

As the newly elected Speaker and the first Baby Boomer to hold this office, I am committed to carrying on the tradition set by those before me. It is the partnership with the N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services and the 16 Area Agencies on Aging located throughout the state that will help us accomplish our tasks for the next two years.


Delegates from Triangle Counties

Delegates from each of the state’s 100 counties attend a forum in Raleigh, modeled after the NC General Assembly. It is during these forums, held three times a year, that the STHL establishes priorities for the upcoming years.

Alamance: Willie Mae Currin
Chatham: Anne Kissel
Durham: Amatulla Abdul-Karim
Franklin: Larry Tetterton
Granville: Dr. John Owens
Harnett: Patricia Dutton
Johnston: George E. Smith
Lee: Mary Upchurch
Moore: Gladys Britt
Orange: Jeane Suddarth
Person: Shirley O. Grimes
Vance: Marian Blackwell
Wake: Marie A. McBride
Warren: Charles Jefferson