Message from the President
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2008-01-22 13:40:09.852455-05:00
The legacy of Dr. Andrus stayed with me during the lovely AARP Arkansas volunteer luncheon at the Governor's mansion in November where we recognized the recipient of the Andrus award for community service, and many other hardworking, dedicated AARP volunteers. We watched Governor Beebe sign the Divided We Fail pledge and heard him praise the AARP volunteers and staff for their work with him as attorney general and as governor. Then, we heard Aretha Franklin's stirring rendition of AARP's battle song, "Stand Up for Yourself." Oh, what a feeling.
The stimulating speech on the Divided We Fail effort, by Dr. Cora Christian, one of the volunteers on our AARP national board, reminded me that AARP never rests on its laurels. The presidential election is right around the corner and another legislative session follows closely on its heels. We need to convince Congress to change American health care and financial security for the better, and a million signed Divided We Fail pledges will do the job.
Our role in the next national election is crucial. So, in the spirit of Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, I ask you to join AARP in creating a nation where people age with dignity and purpose. Join the fight for affordable, quality health care and lifetime financial security. Sign the Divided We Fail pledge online, or call the state office at 1-866-554-5379 to find out how you can do more.
We must begin preparing for the 2009 Legislative Session today. We know there is power in numbers. Arkansans are reaping the benefits of the state's new Options Counseling in Long-term Care Program, partly because a sea of AARP red shirts at the State Capitol on a single day was impossible for lawmakers to ignore. In 2008, we need you and others like you to grow our legislative advocacy volunteer ranks for the challenges of the 2009 Arkansas General Assembly.
Accept the challenge of our motto, "to serve, not to be served." Again, call our state office at 1-866-554-5379 and sign up to become an AARP Arkansas legislative district volunteer.
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