Eloise Cook, alternate Cherokee County delegate, and Jack Allison, Cherokee County delegate are pictured with Lamar Bailee, speaker of SCSHL, Walt McLeod, representative from Newberry County, and Thomas Alexander, senator from Oconee County. COLUMBIA - Five resolutions were proposed by the South Carolina Silver Haired Legislature at a meeting Sept. 11-13 in the chambers of the State House of Representatives

These five were adopted by the more than 125 delegates from a list of 17 that were first proposed. These resolutions will be presented to the state legislature when it reconvenes in January.

In its ninth annual session, the Silver Haired Legislature's resolutions were prioritized as follows:

1. Criminal background checks for in-home care providers.

2. Increased funding for abused elderly.

3. High interest loans.

4. Debt forgiveness for nurse practitioners specializing in geriatric care.

5. Senior transportation for an affordable fee.

The South Carolina Silver Haired Legislature, created in 1999 by statute, is one of 31 state groups in the United States. It was created to identify issues, concerns and possible solutions for problems facing the aging population in the state. It makes recommendations to the governor, General Assembly and various departments and agencies on aging.

The group also arranges and participates in educational forums to explore ideas related to older South Carolinians. It promotes good government, carrying out its purpose and activities on a nonpartisan basis, and is mandated to conduct its general assembly session annually in the State Capitol.

The SCSHL represents and advocates on behalf of the more than 722,000 senior South Carolinians, Cherokee County was represented at the meeting by Jack Allison, county delegates, and Eloise Cook, alternate delegate.

Guest speaker for the sessions included Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, Sen. Thomas Alexander, Rep. Denny Neilson, Rep. Wally McLeod and Dr. Paul Leazer.