Awards Followed by Continued Action

Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Billy Feitlinger and Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President David Newby were recently honored by the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG) with the Alfred Hirsch Award for Outstanding Work as Legislative Advocates. 

Feitlinger and Newby were honored together for their outstanding leadership and lifetime service on behalf of working Americans.

William "Billy" Feitlinger has been the Executive Director of the WI Alliance for Retired Americans since its inception in 2005. He has worked to advance public policy that affects older Americans and stays committed to improving their lives.  Feitlinger educates seniors at community centers, nursing homes, in labor unions and other senior organizations about issues such as Medicare, Social Security and health care reform.

Prior to the passage of the new health law, Feitlinger traveled the state to make sure seniors understood the truth about its contents. He now educates seniors on how the new law affects them.  He also works to strengthen and protect Social Security, especially in this crucial time when a new Fiscal Commission threatens cuts to the program.

This week, Feitlinger and other activists from the WI Alliance for Retired Americans will celebrate the 75th Birthday of Social Security with parties in Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay.  Click here to get more information on the party in your area.

Social Security has enough money to cover full benefits for another 30 years, and has not contributed one cent to the nation’s budget problems.  These public birthday events will help set the record straight.

David Newby, President of the 250,000-member Wisconsin State AFL-CIO since 1994, has long fought for economic justice in the workplace and social justice in society. He was very pro-active in the state's charge to improve access to affordable, quality health care for Wisconsin families.

In 2003, Newby and the state federation created the Wisconsin Health Care Partnership Plan - a dynamic health care proposal offering unique solutions to the health care crisis. In 2007, the state federation's plan was integrated with other universal health care proposals to create the "Healthy Wisconsin: Your Choice, Your Plan," which serves as a national model for further health care reform.

WI Alliance for Retired Americans member Judy Burnick said, "Under their leadership, working together, the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO and the Wisconsin ARA have formed a firm partnership to protect the health and economic security of seniors that rewards work, strengthens families and builds thriving communities.  Both David and Billy are examples of what leaders in this movement should strive to be."

(This article was shared with permission from the national Alliance for Retired Americans Blog: http://ara.typepad.com.  Photo: President Newby and Executive Director Feitlinger at the Alfred Hirsch Award Ceremony.  Photo Credit: Judy Burnick.  For more pictures of the award ceremony, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/sets/72157624544622169/.)