In This Issue

Join Us for AARP Day at the Capitol - Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007

AARP California Introduces New Executive Council Members

CA Focus is written, compiled, and edited by the AARP California Communications Team.

Executive Editor:
Mark Beach

Contributing Writers:
Charee Gillins
Ericka Lozano
Christina Clem

August 2007

CA Focus - Special Edition
Sometimes the news is so great; it just can't wait for our next issue. Check out what is happening with AARP California.

Join Us for AARP Day at the Capitol - Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007
AARP is getting together a few thousand of your friends to demand Quality, Affordable Health Care NOW!

AARP believes that everyone has a right to quality, affordable health care when they need it, regardless of age or preexisting condition. But for too many Californians, this is an elusive goal. Millions of Californians who currently have health care coverage are afraid of losing it, or they're concerned about their premiums becoming unaffordable.

In California, we have a unique opportunity to build a movement to demand leadership and action on health care reform. With your help, on Wednesday, August 22, we will raise our voices to let our elected officials know they must work together to address this critical issue NOW!

Jeannine English serves as AARP California State President. Prior to her appointment, English served for two years on AARP's National Policy Council, an advisory committee to the AARP National Board of Directors. English came to AARP after a long and distinguished career in state government, including more than 10 years as executive director of the Little Hoover Commission, an independent state oversight agency created to investigate state government operations and promote efficiency, economy and improved service to the public. Most recently, English was appointed by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez to represent the public as a member of the Board of Governors of the California State Bar. As volunteer state president, English will lead the California Executive Council and work in partnership with State Director Tom Porter and in collaboration with other volunteers and staff to achieve AARP's strategic priorities in California. English, who celebrated her 50th birthday by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,340 ft.), is an avid runner and cyclist who recently completed her second annual bicycle ride around Lake Tahoe (72 miles). English and her husband, Howard Dickstein, have four sons, ranging in age from 14 to 29.

Marvin Schachter, has been the chair of the Pasadena Senior Advocacy Council since 1995 and has also served as the president of the Advisory Council of the Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging, as a member of the California Commission on Aging, and as a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging. He is also Vice President of the Menorah Housing Foundation.

Schachter's background includes teaching at various Universities and colleges, including Brooklyn College, University of Colorado, Columbia University, and Cambridge University (England). He is exceedingly active in his community and has held various positions in numerous organizations.

Schachter has been a spokesman for AARP as well as a lecturer on the senior community at the University of Southern California Andrus Center and for community and business organizations. He has organized and participated in senior housing conferences for various Southern California area agencies on aging. Schachter brings a wealth of expertise and is well poised to support the vision of AARP.