From: Nigel.Allen@lambada.oit.unc.edu
Subject: AARP Joins Coalition for America's Children
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: Echo Beach
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 19:48:50 GMT

Press release from the American Association of Retired Persons
 
 AARP Joins Coalition for America's Children
 To: National Desk
 Contact: Susan Nall Bales of the National Association of Children's
          Hospitals and Related Institutions, 703-684-1355; or
          Dawn Kelly-Duncan, 202-434-2560, or
          LeeAnn Steinberg, 202-434-3730, of the American Association
          of Retired Persons

   WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The children's movement
received a boost this week when the American Association of Retired
Persons (AARP) announced that it is teaming up with the Coalition for
America's Children to educate voters about the common agenda that
unites children's advocates and older Americans, such as health care,
education and strengthening and supporting family caregiving.
   The coalition, active since 1991, includes more than 180
non-profit organizations nationwide who are working together to raise
the visibility of children's issues in the public policy debate.
   "I firmly believe that older people have a moral obligation to
work for the benefit of all generations, especially our children,"
said Lovola Burgess, a retired high-school principal and president of
AARP.
   Burgess has chosen "intergenerational action" as the theme of
her two-year presidency at AARP.  She has challenged older Americans
to focus special attention on three issues that concern people of all
ages: health care reform, income security and education.
   The focus of Burgess' tenure complements the specific voter
eucation goals of the coalition and its theme, "Who's for Kids and
Who's Just Kidding."  "AARP is delighted to be a part of this dynamic
coalition," Burgess said.
   A recent national poll suggests that AARP's message to its members
to champion children will be welcomed.  The "State of the Child" poll
(Jan. '92) found older Americans strongly supportive of candidates
who favor increased spending for children's programs, even if it
means an increase in their taxes.  More than half (57 percent) of
those 50 to 64 and those over 64 (56 percent) said they would be more
likely to vote for such a candidate.
   "If our nation is going to have a secure future, we must all work
together to make sure that every child's needs are met," said
coalition spokesperson Bob Keeshan, probably best known as Captain
Kangaroo.  "We want all candidates to look seriously at children's
issues both before and after they are elected."
   AARP's commitment to the coalition includes the development of a
new brochure documenting the shared needs of all Americans, both
young and old, in fostering a healthy, educated, safe and secure
generation of children.  AARP will also host the origination site for
a national teleconference on children's issues planned by the
coalition for early fall.
   Other new coalition partners, along with AARP, are the 7 million
members of the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the
American Public Welfare Association, which represents 50
cabinet-level state human service departments.
 -30-


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