Texas Silver Haired Legislature

Texas Silver-Haired Legislature

Who is the Texas Silver Haired Legislature?

The Texas Silver Haired Legislature are persons 60+ who have been elected from 28 regions in Texas to serve two-year terms in this official senior advocacy volunteer program established by the Texas Legislature. No funds were appropriated for this program. They meet in the House of Representatives of the Texas Capitol and conduct a non-partisan legislative session on even numbered years. They are sworn in by the Secretary of State as an official member of the Texas Silver Haired Legislature.

During their legislative session they pass resolutions addressing the needs of Texans. They provide this information to the Texas Legislature. They select ten priority issue resolutions and present them to the Texas Legislature for sponsorship during the Texas Legislature Session, which is held on odd numbered years. They actively advocate for or against issues for all citizens of Texas and provide education on issues. They provide a forum for exercising our responsibilities as informed citizens from our communities to our state.

TSHL History

The Texas Legislature established TSHL in 1985 when Governor Mark White signed Senate Concurrent Resolution 37. The first TSHL Legislative Session was held in 1986 and has continued for 20 years prior to the Texas Legislative Regular Sessions. Seniors 60 and over are elected to a 2-year term by their peers from 117 districts in Texas.

TSHL Foundation

The founders established TSHL Foundation in 1986 as a non-profit (501(c)(3) agency to raise funds to support TSHL, but only in part. Most resources come from individual members who finance their travel and other expenses. TSHL has received grants to establish and maintain its website, established April 2003. Sales and ads from the Silver Directory finance, in part, the Orientation Session. TSHL is a total volunteer group with no paid staff.

Calendar 2006-2007

File for candidacy: Jan 1 - Feb 28, 2006
TSHL Election Day: May 23, 2006
Pre-session Regional Orientation: June 2006
File for TSHL Offices: Last Day June 27, 2006
TSHL Orientation Session: July 10-13, 2006
Election of Officers: July 11, 2006
TSHL Legislative Session: Sept. 11-15, 2006
TSHL General Session: Sept. 10-13, 2007

Purpose of TSHL

To promote good government for all Texans through active participation in public affairs.

To provide an avenue through which older citizens may serve as a resource to public & private sectors, boards and commissions that shall complement other senior citizen groups, organizations, and agencies.

To develop a nonpartisan forum for older Texans to discuss senior citizen issues, debate those issues, and establish legislative priorities for the Texas Legislature to consider.

To promote advocacy training enabling TSHL members to continue their role within the community.

To provide older Texans an opportunity to become more knowledgeable about the legislative process through involvement.

Duties of TSHL members

Represent older constituents

Advocate for priority issues adopted by TSHL during its Legislative Session

Take the Oath of Office administered by a state official

Attend all TSHL Sessions

Serve on at least two committees

Abide by TSHL Code of Conduct

Support TSHL fund raising efforts

Committee Structure

As a representative, you serve on one of the following committees to take action on resolutions and manage the affairs of TSHL.

Legislative Issues Committees

Criminal Justice

Education

General

Health & Human Resources

Human Services

Retirement & Aging

State Affairs

Utilities & Natural Resources

Administrative Committees

Finance

Elections & Credentials

Communications

Operations

Legislative Action

Executive Committee

The TSHL officers, Committee chairmen and representatives from 28 regions serve on the executive committee. The executive committee authorized the creation of several special committees (2004-2006) including: Technology (website), Training, Strategic Plan, Emeritus, Documents Review, Joint Fund Raising (with TSHL Foundation), Committee Appointments, and Member News.

Who is the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature? History of TSHL TSHL Foundation Calendar 2006-2007 Purpose of TSHL Committee Structure Duties of TSHL members Current TSHL Representatives (Alamo Area and Bexar County) Link to Texas Silver Haired Legislature Official Web Page
	Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Who is the Texas Silver Haired Legislature? The Texas Silver Haired Legislature are persons 60+ who have been elected from 28 regions in Texas to serve two-year terms in this official senior advocacy volunteer program established by the Texas Legislature. No funds were appropriated for this program. They meet in the House of Representatives of the Texas Capitol and conduct a non-partisan legislative session on even numbered years. They are sworn in by the Secretary of State as an official member of the Texas Silver Haired Legislature. During their legislative session they pass resolutions addressing the needs of Texans. They provide this information to the Texas Legislature. They select ten priority issue resolutions and present them to the Texas Legislature for sponsorship during the Texas Legislature Session, which is held on odd numbered years. They actively advocate for or against issues for all citizens of Texas and provide education on issues. They provide a forum for exercising our responsibilities as informed citizens from our communities to our state. TSHL History The Texas Legislature established TSHL in 1985 when Governor Mark White signed Senate Concurrent Resolution 37. The first TSHL Legislative Session was held in 1986 and has continued for 20 years prior to the Texas Legislative Regular Sessions. Seniors 60 and over are elected to a 2-year term by their peers from 117 districts in Texas. TSHL Foundation The founders established TSHL Foundation in 1986 as a non-profit (501(c)(3) agency to raise funds to support TSHL, but only in part. Most resources come from individual members who finance their travel and other expenses. TSHL has received grants to establish and maintain its website, established April 2003. Sales and ads from the Silver Directory finance, in part, the Orientation Session. TSHL is a total volunteer group with no paid staff. Calendar 2006-2007 File for candidacy: Jan 1 - Feb 28, 2006 TSHL Election Day: May 23, 2006 Pre-session Regional Orientation: June 2006 File for TSHL Offices: Last Day June 27, 2006 TSHL Orientation Session: July 10-13, 2006 Election of Officers: July 11, 2006 TSHL Legislative Session: Sept. 11-15, 2006 TSHL General Session: Sept. 10-13, 2007 Purpose of TSHL To promote good government for all Texans through active participation in public affairs. To provide an avenue through which older citizens may serve as a resource to public & private sectors, boards and commissions that shall complement other senior citizen groups, organizations, and agencies. To develop a nonpartisan forum for older Texans to discuss senior citizen issues, debate those issues, and establish legislative priorities for the Texas Legislature to consider. To promote advocacy training enabling TSHL members to continue their role within the community. To provide older Texans an opportunity to become more knowledgeable about the legislative process through involvement. Duties of TSHL members Represent older constituents Advocate for priority issues adopted by TSHL during its Legislative Session Take the Oath of Office administered by a state official Attend all TSHL Sessions Serve on at least two committees Abide by TSHL Code of Conduct Support TSHL fund raising efforts Committee Structure As a representative, you serve on one of the following committees to take action on resolutions and manage the affairs of TSHL. Legislative Issues Committees Criminal Justice Education General Health & Human Resources Human Services Retirement & Aging State Affairs Utilities & Natural Resources Administrative Committees Finance Elections & Credentials Communications Operations Legislative Action Executive Committee The TSHL officers, Committee chairmen and representatives from 28 regions serve on the executive committee. The executive committee authorized the creation of several special committees (2004-2006) including: Technology (website), Training, Strategic Plan, Emeritus, Documents Review, Joint Fund Raising (with TSHL Foundation), Committee Appointments, and Member News.