Local Senator Receives Statewide Recognition

Bloomsburg – Senator John R. Gordner (R-27) has received a statewide award from the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees for his service to Pennsylvania's public school retirees.

Local retired school employees gathered in Bloomsburg today to present the Senator with the award . These individuals enthusiastically celebrated Senator Gordner's dedication to the issues important to retirees today.

Gordner has been selected for the PASR Joseph Seigman Award due to his work on behalf of his community, public education and especially for public school retirees. Each year, only a single legislator from within the 253 possible recipients is selected.

"Senator Gordner has spoken out to ensure fair treatment and improved conditions for retirees. He has worked diligently to increase the number of annuitant representatives serving on the PSERS Board of Trustees. We are appreciative of Senator Gordner's personal attention to the plight of today's retirees and greatly appreciate the work he does on our behalf," said Don Casto, PASR President.

Gordner has introduced legislation to increase the number of retiree representatives on the PSERS Board of Trustees from one to three. This change would put representation in line with the System's membership. His proposal would also enable the elected members on the Board to designate substitutes in the event they could not attend a meeting. This is a privilege currently extended to the politicians appointed to the Board, but not to the persons serving on the Board who were elected by the systems' members.

The Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees consists of more than 40,000 members, is the largest school retiree organization in Pennsylvania and third largest in the nation and serves all types of retired public school employees including secretaries, teachers, bus drivers, administrators, etc.

CONTACT: Todd B. Roup (717) 787-8928