Press Release:

TALLAHASSEE –

State leaders today welcomed more than 1,000 Florida elders to the Capitol today for the 10th annual Ambassadors for Aging Day event. The event featured a Forum on Florida’s Elders in the Senate Chambers, as well as a noon program featuring Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, Elder Affairs Secretary E. Douglas Beach and legislative leaders.

Ambassadors for Aging Day, co-sponsored by the Department of Elder Affairs and the Florida Sports Foundation, is an annual event that brings Florida elders and elder advocates together at the Florida Capitol to recognize and showcase the special contributions of older adults. With more than 4.2 million residents age 60 and older, Florida has the highest concentration of seniors in the nation.

“Seniors make up one of Florida’s most vibrant, active and important population groups, and it’s fitting that we take the opportunity to recognize their countless outstanding contributions,” Secretary Beach said.

Senior groups from as far away as Miami Gardens, Pensacola, Jacksonville and Orlando participated in the day's festivities, which included free health screenings and health insurance counseling, performances by senior entertainers, exhibitors providing information to seniors, and a complementary lunch.

At the Forum on Florida’s Elders, seniors from around the state were able to share their concerns on policy issues with a group of state legislators that included Sen. Ronda Storms and Reps. Tom Anderson, Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed and Matt Hudson.