Capitol Advocacy Team Recognized by Senate

On Saturday, March 10th,  the West Virginia Senate recognized the contributions of AARP West Virginia and its Capitol Advocacy Team of nearly thirty volunteers. In a moving tribute to AARP and the Capitol Advocacy Team the sponsor of Senate Resolution 47, Senator Mike Maroney (R - Marshall, 02) thanked the Team for their invaluable work at the Capitol, in their communities and around the Mountain State.

SR 47 acknowledges the AARP West Virginia Capitol Advocacy Team for their dedicated service and their important contributions to AARP's work to improve the quality of life for all West Virginians as they age. The Resolution also documented the Team's active participation in the legislative process each year, always bringing an important perspective to the development of policies and laws that affect everyone who lives and works in the Mountain State, especially our state's most vulnerable populations.

Reflecting on the fact that the first session of the 85^th West Virginia Legislature looked like no other, the Resolution acknowledged that even though the COVID-19 pandemic limited public access and in-person attendance at the State Capitol throughout the 2021 Regular Session, AARP and its volunteers continued to actively engage with the West Virginia Legislature virtually from their homes and communities.

In fact, the Team began their work even before the Legislature gaveled in. This winter, the Team gathered virtually for weeks of state advocacy issue training. They had virtual discussions concerning legislative issues with lawmakers, community leaders and members of the state media prior to the start of West Virginia's 60-day session. They also made contact with Senate and House Leadership and introduced themselves to the many newly elected Members of the Legislature.

AARP West Virginia joins the Senate in thanking the dedicated Capitol Advocacy Team. Their diligent advocacy and education efforts raise awareness around the important issues affecting older West Virginians and their families. The Team embodies the spirit of AARP founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, who said “the human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live.”