Press Release from Bill Haslam for Governor; May 26, 2010:
MEMPHIS – Republican gubernatorial candidate and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam announced today that he will develop a network of support across the state that connects churches and faith-based organizations, physicians, nonprofits, community groups and state agencies involved in educating and supporting family caregivers.
This morning Mayor Haslam and his wife Crissy, a native Memphian, met with residents of The Parkview Community Living in Memphis. Mayor Haslam shared his plans for the state, and Crissy spoke fondly of her experiences growing up just down the street from The Parkview.
Demonstrating his support for seniors and the need for the elderly to live as independently as possible and with dignity and security, Mayor Haslam addressed today the critical role families play in helping seniors maintain a high quality of living.
“Our seniors and elderly loved ones play such an important role in families and communities bringing experience, wisdom, and a high level of civic engagement, but they’re also one of our most vulnerable groups,” Haslam said. “All of us have experienced or will experience the important and challenging job of caring for aging grandparents or parents, and often it’s the family caregivers that don’t receive enough support or information to effectively care for loved ones.”
As governor, Mayor Haslam will work to coordinate the efforts of the Area Agencies on Aging and Disability and private sector nonprofit, faith-based and community groups to make sure the right information and resources are available to those who need it. He will create this network to ensure they are talking, sharing information and providing the right level of support. Mayor Haslam will also use this effort to draw attention to this important issue and to educate the public on the challenges facing seniors and those who care for them.
“Because many family caregivers suddenly take on that role, many are unprepared for the physical, emotional, financial and spiritual demands these situations require,” Haslam continued. “I want individuals and families to know there are places to go for information and support if they need it, and the more we can do to raise awareness of this issue, the better off our seniors and their families will be.”
Bill Haslam is the two-term Mayor of Knoxville, re-elected in 2007 with 87% of the vote. A hardworking, conservative public servant, he led Knoxville to become one of the top ten metropolitan areas for business and expansion, while reducing the city’s debt, tripling the rainy day fund, and bringing property taxes to the lowest rate in 50 years. An executive leader with a proven record of success, he helped grow his family’s small business from 800 employees into one of Tennessee’s largest companies with 14,000 employees.
Bill and Crissy Haslam have two daughters, Annie and Leigh, and a son, Will, who resides in Knoxville with his wife, Hannah. For more information on Bill Haslam, please visit www.BillHaslam.com.
