House Republican Press Release

January 17, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Gibbons Receives Agewise Advocate Award from Ct Commission on Aging

State Representative Lile R. Gibbons R-150th District, the House Ranking member on the General Assembly’s Human Services Committee, has received the Connecticut Commission on Aging’s first annual “Agewise Advocate Award” for her support of the state’s present and future generations of older residents.

Representative Gibbons has served residents of Greenwich’s 150th Assembly District since 2001 and is also a member of the Finance, Human Services and Transportation committees.

The Commission on Aging, established by the General Assembly in 1993, is an independent state agency that serves as an advocate for Connecticut’s growing population of older residents on issues that affect their quality of life.

“Representative Gibbons has served with distinction on the Human Services Committee and in 2005 she was very supportive of legislation that strengthened and expanded the Commission on Aging,” said commission Executive Director Julia Evans Starr. 

Evans Starr said Representative Gibbons supported legislation to move the Commission on Aging from the executive branch to the legislative branch of government. The legislation, which received strong bipartisan support, further strengthened the commission’s role as an independent advocate for older citizens, she said.   

In addition to bringing oversight of the commission to the legislative branch, the legislation expanded its membership from 11 to 17 citizen voting members from throughout the state.

The commission was established by the legislature to give older citizens a stronger voice within state government on issues including health care, nutrition, housing, employment, transportation, legal assistance and economic security.  In addition to its 17 citizen voting members, the commission’s 16 ex officio members include Representative Gibbons, seven other state legislators and commissioners from several state departments.

“Over the next several decades the unprecedented growth, longevity and diversity of the older population will have a profound impact in Connecticut,” said Evans Starr.  “We’re indeed fortunate that leaders like Representative Gibbons help make it possible for them to enjoy healthy, safe and rewarding lives now and in the future.”