Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Olen Loe Named Silver Haired Legislator

The Area Agency on Aging of Southwest Arkansas has announced the certification of Olen Loe of Bluff City as a delegate, representing Nevada County to the 12th biennial Silver Haired Legislative session.

The mock session, authorized by the Arkansas General Assembly, is held at the State Capitol in years preceding regular legislative sessions. This year delegates will travel to Little Rock on August 29, attend a reception at the capitol and convene their session the following day.

The morning will consist of opening ceremonies, introduction of bills and assignment to committees and committee meetings. The afternoon session will feature floor debate and voting on bills and resolutions, which are reported out of the various committees. Bills and resolutions that pass are sent to all members of the General Assembly.

As a result of past Silver Haired Legislative sessions many of the bills have been introduced in the General Assembly and become Arkansas law.

Loe will participate in training in the legislative process, establishment of regional priorities and bill writing before the end of July. These activities will be scheduled and conducted by personnel of the Arkansas Division of Aging and Adult Services and the Area Agency on Aging in Magnolia.

Vernell Loe will serve as Mr. Loe's alternate in the event Mr. Loe is unable to attend the session. Alternates will participate in the training and bill writing prior to the session.

The Silver Haired Legislative session has been conducted biennially since its institution by a 1977 General Assembly resolution sponsored by Rep. B.G. Hendrix and the late Rep. W.F. Bill' Foster.

Arkansas is one of 26 states to give its older citizens an opportunity to participate in the legislative process. The event is administered by the Arkansas Division of Aging and Adult Services with assistance from the Area of Agency on Aging.