A South Coast legislator has been honored for her efforts to improve quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities.

Sen. Joanne Verger will become one of the first recipients of the 2007 Senior Champion Award on Tuesday.

Provided by the Oregon Health Care Association and the Oregon Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Disabilities, the award will be given to the Coos Bay Democrat and colleague Rep. Jean Cowan, D-Newport, during a special luncheon at the Oceanview Assisted Living Community in Newport at noon.

Rob Johnson, the government affairs representative for the Health Care Association, said during the 2007 legislative session, Verger and Cowan served in and were the most active members of the Senior and Disability Caucus, a group of 10 legislators from both chambers and both political parties that came together to highlight senior and disability issues.

“They were exceptional ... in terms of really speaking out about the importance of supportive services for seniors and people with disabilities,” Johnson said of Verger and Cowan. “I think it’s a recognition of the fact that they took the time to be informed about some of the most complex policy issues that come before the legislature.

“We’re really happy to have folks like that in the legislature and are pleased to recognize them for their achievements.”

Johnson said Verger has long been a proponent for senior adults.

“Over her legislative career, she’s opened her door to folks advocating on behalf of Oregon seniors and people with disabilities. I think it has partly to do with the fact that she is part of that generation and has a unique perspective on those issues,” Johnson said.

Verger is an eight-year legislative veteran who has served as co-chairwoman on the Joint Emergency Preparedness and Ocean Policy Committee, which dealt with preparing Oregon’s senior communities for emergency circumstances. She also served on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, which addressed prescription drug packaging and other issues of importance to older adults.

Verger said she is pleased to have been chosen for the Senior Champion Award as she has worked hard for seniors and people with disabilities throughout her tenure.

“I think it’s really important because I think seniors are one of the vulnerable populations,” Verger said, explaining that while many adults have spent years working and planning for the future, inflation has made their money less valuable. “They don’t have the quality of life they thought they would have.”  

Verger noted that the Joint Emergency Preparedness and Ocean Policy Committee focused on the responsibility of senior centers and assisted living facilities to ensure seniors are taken care of in emergency situations.