U.S. Senator Ken Salazar

Member: Finance, Agriculture, Energy, Ethics and Aging Committees

 

2300 15th Street, Suite 450 Denver, CO 80202 | 702 Hart Senate Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

 

 

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

CONTACT: Stephanie Valencia – 202-494- 8790
Cody Wertz – 303-350-0032

Sen. Salazar Congratulates Southern Colorado Centenarians

ALAMOSA, CO – Tomorrow, as part of a month-long celebration to commemorate the lives and contributions of older Americans, United States Senator Ken Salazar will recognize the remarkable resilience and longevity of six Southern Colorado Centenarians at a ceremony sponsored by the Colorado Commission on Aging. At the event, Senator Salazar’s San Luis Valley Regional Representative, Charlotte Bobicki, will present each of the Centenarians with a hand-signed letter congratulating them on this important milestone, and wishing them the very best as they embark upon the second century of their inspiring life’s journey.

“In surpassing the one-hundred year marker, these Coloradans have reinforced the age-old axiom that age ‘is just a number,’” said Senator Salazar. “Now in the second century of their life’s journey, they are honored members of our communities and our society, and as such, are well-deserving beneficiaries of our admiration and respect.”

Senator Salazar continued, “During Older Americans Month, we should all come together – young and old, male and female, urban and rural – to not only celebrate the continued contributions of this valued population, but to help improve the health and well being of today’s and tomorrow’s older Americans as well.”

The Centenarians to be honored at tomorrow’s event include:

  • Irma Satterfield, Alamosa – Born April 25, 1908
  • Claude Albert, Alamosa – Born July 13, 1907
  • Ruth Coch, La Jara – Born June 16, 1906
  • Ethel Davis, Monte Vista – Born October 3, 1908
  • Vaughn Gagliardi, Trinidad – Born September 21, 1900
  • Juanita Gutierrez, Trinidad – Born April 3, 1906

According to the Colorado Department of Health and Human Services’ Commission on Aging, there are approximately six-hundred Colorado centenarians (aged 100 years or older), and the population is expected to reach 700 by the year 2012.

The Southern Colorado Centenarian Celebration is part of a week-long (May 19 – May 23) series of events sponsored by Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. to help Coloradans celebrate Older Americans Month. Throughout the week – centered on the theme “EngAge Your Future: Planning for the Second Half of Life” – a number of events will take place throughout the state to highlight some of the ongoing work being done to improve the lives of older adults, and to celebrate their continued contributions to our communities, our cities and our state.

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