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October 27, 2003 Contact: Jane-ellen Weidanz, (503) 551-8121 Leading advocates for senior concerns receive awards The Oregon Governor's Commission on Senior Services has voted to give its highest honor to Ruth Shepherd, of Salem, the Bob Van Houte Award honors outstanding advocacy for and service to Oregon's senior citizens. Shepherd received the surprise honor Friday, October 24, 2003 at the Commission's annual dinner celebration. Since 1992, distinguished leaders in Oregon's senior advocacy community have been recognized with the Van Houte award, which may be presented annually but doesn't necessarily have to be given each year. The Governor's Commission on Senior Services voted to honor Shepherd "because of her long standing work for Oregon's seniors. She exemplifies the criteria of the award and the memory of Bob Van Houte," said Don Butsch, GCSS chair. The Governor's Commission on Senior Services is a 21-member advisory panel mandated by Oregon statute. Members are appointed by the presiding governor for three-year terms that may be repeated. "Ruth has been a leader in Oregon on senior issues. She is especially known for her work on bringing together seniors and children," said Georgena Carrow, staff at the Department of Human Services who has known Ms. Shepherd since the 1980s. Through the years, Shepherd has brought together her experience as a teacher and a writer to help people understand the needs of seniors. She has taught others how be effective and has mentored numerous advocates thereby creating services and programs that meet the needs of Oregon's frailest citizens. "Like Van Houte, Ruth has always kept the needs of Oregon's seniors at the forefront. She has always urged people to consider the impact of every decision on the people we are charged to serve," Butsch said. According to GCSS archives, the award is named in honor of the late Bob Van Houte "an outstanding advocate for seniors, for children and for all the people of Oregon. Van Houte (of Salem) served with distinction on many advocacy organizations for many years. To honor his tireless dedication, the Commission inaugurated the Bob Van Houte Award in 1992." Van Houte was a key in senior leadership responsible for writing the state policy on aging and working with the committee that developed SB 555. The law created a comprehensive state office for all programs related to seniors and defined the values of choice, independence and dignity as key values for all decisions related to senior programs. His recognized achievements included the independent Ombudsman program, passage of elder abuse statues, creation of adult foster care, and many other programs that help the frail elderly stay independent. Van Houte served as President of United Seniors for many years in the 1980s and was involved in many pieces of legislation that helped improve the lives of Oregonians. "He was respected by legislators in both parties and governors talked about him as their teacher, mentor, and friend," the archive record states. Previous recipients of the Van Houte Award were: 1992 - Walt McGettigan , Portland 1993 - Cecil Posey, Portland 1994 - Betty Johnson, Corvallis 1995 - Frank Armstrong, Newport 1996 - Hazel Simms, Portland 1997 - Phyllis Rand, Salem 1998 - Rollie Smith, Corvallis 1999 - Lee Hazelwood, Stayton 2000 - Alice Neely,- Milwaukie 2001 - Phyllis Lissman, Burns 2002 - Lucille Pugh, Salem Other GCSS service recognition awards presented went to Mike Volpe, of Corvallis, and Ruth McEwen, of Salem. The Governor's Commission on Senior Services presented Volpe and McEwen with awards because of their "tireless and caring advocacy on behalf of all Oregonians. Both individuals are outstanding advocates. They help legislators and other policy makers understand the impact of their decisions," said Dolores Hubert, chair of GCSS Health and Long-term Care Committee. "Volpe has spent a great deal of time in Salem during the legislative sessions advocating for those in need, especially on Oregon Health Plan issues." "Ruth McEwen is a forceful, knowledgeable advocate for seniors and people with disabilities. She is able to impact Oregon's services for seniors and people with disabilities at all levels," said Don Butsch, GCSS chair. |
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