For Release: Friday, June 17, 2005
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

COSTELLO ANNOUNCES EUGENE VERDU AND DAVID CHRISTENSEN NAMED DELEGATE, ALTERNATE TO THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON AGING

Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced today that upon his recommendation, Eugene Verdu of Belleville has been named a delegate and David Christensen of Carbondale an alternate to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging.  The work of the Conference will help guide national aging policies through the next decade and beyond and will be held December 11-14 in Washington, D.C. 

"I am pleased our region will be so ably represented at this important event," Costello said.  "The fact that people are living longer has serious impacts on our society and the public policy decisions we make must take this into consideration.  The quality of life of our seniors must be a top priority and the work of the White House Conference on Aging will help us frame these issues for the future."

Eugene Verdu has decades of experience working on issues of importance to seniors, most notably as the Director of Southwestern Illinois College's Programs and Services for Older Persons program from 1975-2003.  In addition, he has served on the national committees of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the National Council on Aging and the National Council of Senior Citizens. 

David Christensen taught geography and urban planning at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Florida State University for over three decades.  He served for many years on the Carbondale Planning Commission and worked to bring retirement housing projects to Southern Illinois, and also served on AARP's Illinois State Legislative Committee and National Legislative Council.

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