Texas Legislative Committee on Aging

The 81st Texas Legislature passed House Bill 610, authored by Representative Elliott Naishtat and sponsored by Senator Leticia Van de Putte, to establish the Texas Legislative Committee on Aging. HB 610 was the first priority of the 12th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature with strong support of advocacy groups. Committee members were appointed by Governor Rick Perry, Speaker Joe Straus, and Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst. The Committee was established to study issues relating to the aging population of Texas, including issues related to the health care, income, transportation, housing, education, and employment needs of that population; and make recommendations to address those issues. Members include:

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chairman, B.S., Advertising Executive

Eddie Lucio, Jr., a native of Brownsville, was elected to the Texas Senate in November 1990, having first served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives. A member of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Lucio also serves as Chairman of the International Relations and Trade Committee. Additionally, he sits on the Senate Committees on Business and Commerce, State Affairs and Government Organization. He also serves on the Interagency Task Force on Children with Special Needs and the Texas Tourism Caucus.

Senator Joan Huffman, J.D.

Joan Huffman, Southside Place, was sworn into office on December 16, 2008 after winning a special election. Sen. Huffman serves on the Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, the Health and Human Services Committee, the Veterans Affairs Committee, and the Government Organization Committee. She also serves on the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. The Commission is currently reviewing 29 agencies.

Representative Elliott Naishtat, J.D.

Elliott Naishtat, a native New Yorker, has been elected nine times since November, 1990; he serves as a member of the Human Services Committee and Vice Chair of the Public Health Committee. In 10 sessions, Rep. Naishtat has passed more than 200 bills, including Nursing Home Reform Act of 1997, Medicaid Simplification Act of 2001, Seniors' Property Tax Relief Act of 2007, also bills that expanded protective services for elderly and people with disabilities, and created a statewide guardianship program. He is the author of HB 610.

Representative Susan King, R.N.

Susan King, Abilene, was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2006 She is member of the Appropriations Committee, Appropriations Sub-Committee on Education and the Public Health Committee. Additional memberships include the Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force, House Research Organization Steering Committee, and former Vice Chair, Human Services Committee and former Legislative Vice Chair on the Health Committee with the National Conference of State Legislatures. She is co-author of HB 610.

Betty Streckfuss, R.N.

Betty Streckfuss, Spring, is TSHL Deputy Speaker Pro tem, serving her 2nd term in that office; Past Chair, Area Agency on Aging, Harris County Area Planning and Advisory Council, Delegate, 2005 White House Conference on Aging, appointee of Congressman Ted Poe and 2008 Recipient of Valley Community Senior Advocate of the Year Award, University of Texas School of Nursing, Houston.

Homer Lear, Colonel, U.S. Air Force, Retired

Homer Lear, San Antonio, retired with rank of Colonel after 30 years service and 7,000 hours as command pilot. He serves as TSHL Speaker Emeritus and chair, State Affairs Committee. He was appointed to the 1995 and 2005 White House Conference on Aging and elected to the first National Silver-Haired Congress in 1995 and elected 4 times as chair, Board of Directors. Helped establish voting precinct in Bexar County for seniors and people with disabilities. He is co-author of 12th TSHL Resolution 33 to request creation of the Legislative Committee on Aging.