Seniors group gives Patty Berg high marks
October 16, 2005
The Congress of California Seniors has given Assemblywoman Patty Berg perfect marks on its annual scorecard of legislative activity.
The group based its rating on a list of 12 bills that it supported and that it considered important to seniors. The bills covered a range of topics, from financial elder abuse to prescription drug access. Berg not only voted for every one of the bills, but also co-authored five of them.
"Patty Berg has been a leader on senior issues in the California Legislature," said Gary Passmore, the group's executive director. "And the Congress of California Seniors considers her one of our strongest and greatest friends."
Berg, D-Eureka, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, has been an advocate for elders for many years. She co-founded Northern California's Area One Agency on Aging, and served as its executive director for two decades before being elected to the Assembly.
She said she was "flattered" and "pleased" by the scorecard results, but not surprised.
"Of course I support California's seniors," she said. "It's just the right thing to do. And of course I'm pleased to be acknowledged by these wonderful people who do such a great job year after year."
Earlier this week, Berg chaired a hearing in the state Capitol where her committee took testimony from a panel of experts on whether the state is prepared to meet the needs of the baby boom generation as it moves into retirement.
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