Meeting with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

March 29, 2010
For Immediate Release

State Senator Rubén Díaz, Sr. and the New York State Senate
Advisory Council for Senior Issues to meet with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

Albany, NY - State Senator Rubén Díaz, Sr., Chairman of the New York State Senate Committee on Aging, announced today that he along with the New York State Senate Aging Advisory Council will meet with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, on Tuesday, March 30th, in her New York City office, 780 Third Avenue, to address concerns impacting New York seniors. Senator Gillibrand will also discuss her legislative proposals to help seniors and what the historic health care bill means for New York’s elderly.

Senator Gillibrand said, “I look forward to the opportunity to work with State Senator Díaz to tackle the issues that are most important to the more than two million seniors in New York. From health care costs to fighting financial fraud, I will continue to help New York seniors.”

Senator Díaz said, “I am very excited about this opportunity that we have to meet with Senator Gillibrand to discuss important aging issues in New York State.” 

Senator Díaz was named Chairman of the Committee on Aging in 2009, and he immediately formed the New York State Senate Aging Advisory Council.  “The purpose of the Advisory Council is to evaluate and help prioritize the work of the (Aging) Committee, to act as the eyes and ears of this Committee throughout the State, and to help us solve problems,” he continued.

The Aging Advisory Council members who are confirmed to attend include Michael Burgess, Director and Greg Olsen Deputy Director, New York State Office for the Aging; Lilliam Barrios- Paoli, Commissioner, New York City Department for the Aging; Lois Aronstein, Executive Director and David McNally, Director of Government Affairs, NYS AARP; Igal Jellinek, Executive Director and Bobbie Sackman, Director of Public Policy, Council of Senior Centers and Services; Suleika Cabrera-Drinane, Executive Director, IPRHE/Hispanic Senior Action Council; Mario Tapia, President and CEO, Latino Center on Aging; Anne Marie Cook, President and CEO, LIFESPAN of Greater Rochester; Joseph Baker, President and CEO, Medicare Rights Center; Laura Cameron, Executive Director, NYS Association of Area Agencies on Aging; Joanne Macklin, the New York State Coalition for the Aging; Michael Adams, Executive Director, SAGE (Services and Advocacy for LGBT Elderly)  Justin Cunningham, Executive Director, Statewide Senior Action Council; and Nancy Miller, Executive Director VISIONS.

Senator Díaz continued, “Our conversation with Senator Gillibrand will no doubt be very productive and I look forward to continued collaboration with her in the service of New York State’s senior citizens.”

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