News Releases

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) has nominated Lynn M. Stockman, Executive Director of the Newberry County Council on Aging, to be a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging in October.

Stockman has 29 years of experience working with older Americans – 12 years in the nursing home industry and 17 with the Council.

“Lynn Stockman has devoted her life to improving the lives of older Americans,” said Spratt.  “I was honored to nominate her to the conference and I know that she will make an outstanding contribution.”

Each Member of Congress may select one delegate and one alternate to the conference.  Spratt chose Maria Cardenas, an adult nurse practitioner in Rock Hill, as alternate.

The White House Conference on Aging occurs once a decade to make aging policy recommendations to the President and Congress, and to assist the public and private sectors in promoting dignity, health, independence, and economic security of current and future generations of older persons.

The 2005 conference occurs as the first wave of the baby boom generation prepares for retirement, creating an important opportunity to assess aging in America and improve the lives of older Americans.  It will include 1200 delegates, who will assemble October 23-26 in Washington, D.C.  The delegates will represent Members of Congress, governors, National Congress of American Indians, and other organizations with a stake in the aging of America.

The theme of the conference, “The Booming Dynamics of Aging: From Awareness to Action,” embraces 78 million baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) who will begin to turn 60 in 2006. The theme highlights the changing face of aging in the United States, encouraging Americans of all ages to participate in developing plans for aging generations now and in the future.

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