New Senior Group to Educate, Mobilize Retirees in Key 2012 Battleground State of Virginia

Richmond--- This Tuesday, 43 delegates and 8 guests convened to found the Virginia Alliance for Retired Americans. The Virginia Alliance will be an active part of the four million member national organization that works to mobilize retirees, senior and community activists into a nationwide grassroots movement to advocate a progressive political and social agenda - one that respects work and strengthens families. Members of the state and national Alliance come from a variety of trades and backgrounds.

The newly chartered Virginia Alliance has its work cut out for it in 2012. It will engage in important battles to protect and preserve programs vital to the health and economic security of older Virginians.

The founding convention heard from the following speakers and special guests yesterday: Congressman Bobby Scott; NFL Players Association - Former Player Services Senior Director Nolan Harrison III; Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee; Former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine; Virginia AFL-CIO President Doris Crouse Mays; Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Brian Moran; Virginia Delegate Luke Torian of the 52nd District; and leaders from the national Alliance for Retired Americans.

The founding convention elected the following officers: Melvin Carter, President (UAW retiree); Roger Wood, Secretary (CWA retiree); Ron Thompson, Treasurer (IUOE retiree).

Mr. Carter, the newly elected Virginia Alliance president said, "We are extremely excited to get to work on issues important to seniors and working families in Virginia."

Barbara Easterling, President of the national Alliance for Retired Americans and Virginia resident said, "Virginia is the Alliance's 31st chartered state. ... It's no exaggeration to say that the large senior vote in Virginia will help shape the future of Social Security and Medicare. This year and beyond, we will do everything we can to help seniors separate fact from fiction."

In the last ten years the Alliance has become a strong voice for older Americans, working to strengthen Social Security and Medicare, ensure older Americans have access to affordable health care and to address retirement security issues of today's and future retirees. The Virginia Alliance will be an active player with 53,000 members and growing.