Senior Americans
Jonell Sims, Chairman
February 2008
When President Toni Anne asked me to research the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature and share my findings with this Board, I was not sure where this project was headed.
These are my findings:
1. Texas Legislature established TSHL in 1985 when Gov. Mark White signed Senate Concurrent Resolution 37. The first TSHL Session was held in 1986. This will be the 12th Legislature in 2008.
2. The TSHL is an elected, non-partisan representative body of citizens 60 years of age and older elected by their peers for a 2 year period.
3. There are a total of 117 TSHL representatives.
4. The TSHL meets in Austin, even numbered years, to consider and vote on proposed legislation that concerns the needs of older Texans. Members serve at their own expense. The Committee selects 10 priority issue resolutions and presents the information to the Texas Legislature for sponsorship during the Texas legislative session which is held on odd
numbered years.
5. To encourage senior citizens to participate more actively in public affairs in the interest of Good Government for all Texans.
6. Encourage more non-partisan discussion and debate of Senior Citizens issues.
7. Provide older citizens with avenues to serve as senior issue resources in both public and private sectors and to interact with other citizen groups, organizations and agencies.
8. Adopt selected Senior issues as legislative priorities for the Texas Legislature to consider.
9. Deadline for candidates to file is February 29, 2008. To file for candidacy, the potential candidate must obtain and complete a Candidate Information Form and and an official Candidate Petition with 25 signatures from registered voters. Candidates must be 60 years old or older, registered voter, and pay a $5.00 filing fee which must be received before February 29, 2008. Election Day is May 27, 2008.
If anyone is interested in applying for a position the TSHL, you can either contact the organization at www.txshl.org or Walter C. Graham at wcgbg@txol.com to obtain the necessary forms. It should be interesting!!!