Event: "Prime Time to be on the Job"
Date/time: Thursday, Oct. 5, 2000, at 4 p.m.
Location: 216 Hart Senate Office Building
Description: Senator Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and ranking member Sen. John Breaux will honor an outstanding older worker from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Green Thumb, a nationwide, non-profit organization, chose the most outstanding workers from among the many older Americans who continue to give back to their communities in their later years. A panel of the award winners will testify before the committee and answer senators' questions. Afterward, all 100 senators are invited to meet and talk with their state's award winner.
Federally authorized under the Older Americans Act, Green Thumb seeks to promote the positive attributes that older workers bring to the workplace, such as loyalty, experience, dependability and enthusiastic attitude. The organization has many programs to assist older individuals in finding opportunities that make continued service, work and education available to them.
Iowa winner: The Year 2000 Outstanding Older Worker from Iowa is Jim Gittins of Sioux City. Disabled by polio and later afflicted by heart attacks and a stroke, the 72-year-old helps others with disabilities to live independently.