AARP State President to Present Assemblymember Brown Capitol Caregiver Award

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino), chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, will be honored with The Capitol Caregiver Award by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) on Friday, February 27, in Fontana. The award will be given by AARP California State President Patricia Perez.

Now serving in her second term, among her greatest priorities have been addressing senior care issues. Her key legislative victories among senior care issues include the passage of AJR 29, which memorialized the Congress and president of the United States to restore federal funding cuts made to senior nutrition programs, and AB 1899,  which ensures that a licensee who abandons residents and their residential care facility be prohibited from operating in California indefinitely.

“I’m extremely honored and privileged to receive The Capitol Caregiver Award by AARP,” said Assemblymember Brown. “This award is special to me because I am a caregiver and I understand the significance of this enormous responsibility. It requires a lot dedication to the people who depend on us. I am truly grateful for this recognition and will continue to support the needs of caregivers across the state.”

The Capitol Caregiver Award recognizes elected officials who advance and support policies that make it possible for older Californians to live independently in their homes.

Assemblymember Brown was selected for the award based on her leadership in introducing AB 1744, also known as the California Caregiver Act of 2014, which was vetoed by the Governor.

AB 1744 would have required the California Department of Aging (CDA) to establish a blue ribbon task force committee on unpaid family caregiving and long term care support services. The blue ribbon task force, consisting of 13 members, would have been responsible for identifying and compiling an inventory of resources and programs available for family caregivers and provide to the Legislature a report of its findings and recommendations.

“On behalf of AARP’s more than 3 million California members, I want to thank Assemblymember Brown for authoring and championing AB 1744, the Family Caregiver Taskforce bill,” said AARP California State President Patricia Perez. “Had it not been vetoed by Governor Brown, AB 1744 would have represented an important step toward easing some of the burdens that face California’s family caregivers. That’s why I am so pleased to present Assemblymember Brown the inaugural Capitol Caregiver award in acknowledgment of and appreciation for her leadership in helping to make life better for California’s family caregivers and their loved ones.”

The award presentation honoring Assemblymember Brown will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Fontana Senior Center in conjunction with her senior scam event.

For more information, contact Ashley Jones at 909-381-3238