Texas Silver Haired Legislature

History

The first Silver-Haired Legislature wasorganized in 1973 in the State of Missouri. Since its inception,the concept and implementation of a Silver-Haired Legislaturehas been adopted in thirty-one (31) states.

The Texas Silver-Haired Legislature (TSHL)idea was first conceived in 1979. By 1983, the Citizens AdvisoryCouncil of the Texas Department on Aging identified the creationof TSHL as one of the council's legislative priorities. Aresolution to establish the TSHL was passed by the Texas Boardon Aging in 1984. The 69th Texas Legislature adopted the enablinglegislation, Senate Concurrent Resolution 37, April 3, 1985,which authorized the creation of the Silver-Haired Legislature.

A State Steering Committee, TDoA staff,Area Agency on Aging Councils, and hundreds of volunteersthroughout the state completed planning and implementationresponsibilities. The elected members of the TSHL met forthe first time for a training session in July 1986. The firstlegislative session began when the group took the oath ofoffice on September 29, 1986, but the work of the organizationwas just beginning.

The Texas Silver-Haired Legislatureis a nonpartisan and a nonprofit organization. Funding ismanaged by the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Foundation,a 501 (c) 3 organization. TSHL is composed of 116 representativeselected by older Texans 60 years and older to serve two-yearterms.