LANSING – State Representative Richard E. Hammel (D-Mt. Morris Township) has been named Legislator of the Year by the Valley Area Agency on Aging (VAAA) in recognition of his leadership in obtaining the resources necessary to help our seniors maintain a high quality of life.
"Rick has always committed his time and resources to help further senior citizen initiatives," said Kathryn Boles, executive director of Valley Area Agency on Aging. "He worked hard to preserve funding for senior programs through his work on the budget at the state level, and has pledged to do the same in this upcoming budget year."
The VAAA is a nonprofit agency that provides programs and services for 90,000 older or disabled individuals who live in Genesee, Lapeer and Shiawassee counties.
"It is important to me to make sure that our seniors have the resources they need to live active lives and stay engaged in our community," said Hammel, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. "It means a lot to me to receive this award. Our seniors have so much to offer, and I will continue to work hard to see that they get the programs and services they deserve."
Barbara Krapohl also praised Hammel's commitment to the senior community.
When Rick makes a commitment he sticks to it and does what needs to get done," Krapohl said. The Krapohl Senior Center is named in honor of her late husband, Donald. "Rick visits us regularly at the senior center and holds us close to his heart. He is one of the most honest people I know and we're lucky to have him."