A Message from AARP Oklahoma President Bob Bristow
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-05-09 16:23:49.239740-04:00
This is an extraordinary time to live in Oklahoma. Our state is in the midst of a year-long centennial celebration to remember the challenges and triumphs of Oklahoma's past while casting an eye toward a positive future. Oklahoma's 3.5 million residents have a lot to be proud of and thankful for. So does AARP Oklahoma.
In the five years since AARP opened its Oklahoma office, the association's membership in the Sooner State has grown from 398,000 to nearly 425,000. Our volunteers and staff serve as a leading catalyst for positive social change on issues such as economic security, affordable and quality health care, livable communities and healthy behaviors. I am very proud to be associated with these advocates and I thank them for all of their creativity and hard work in 2006.
I also want to thank the many nonprofit organizations, agencies and lawmakers we work with to help achieve our goals. AARP Oklahoma leveraged long-standing relationships and sought out new alliances to move our issues forward in 2006. Through our collective advocacy and community outreach efforts, we increased the value of AARP membership and while we are succeeding to that end, there is much work that lies ahead.
AARP is set to embark on an ambitious social agenda leading up to the association's 50th anniversary in 2008. As one of our top priorities, AARP will engage their citizenry on the issues that concern them most. We will begin this effort by brokering dialogue between the people and their elected representatives in search of viable bipartisan solutions on health care and financial security.
Locally, AARP Oklahoma will join other aging organizations in seeking additional staffing requirements for Alzheimer's units, a permanent state funding solution for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), transportation solutions for seniors and additional rights for grandparents raising grandchildren.
Our 2006 volunteer recognition event could not have been held at a more appropriate place—the new Oklahoma History Museum. In touring the galleries that housed the artifacts of our past, I was reminded of the many strides Oklahoma has made in 100 years of statehood. In the subsequent celebration of our volunteers, I was reminded about how much the Oklahoma State Office has accomplished in five short years, and how much potential we have to make a difference in the future.
Bob Bristow,
AARP Oklahoma President
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