The Texas Alliance for Retired Americans (TARA) was launched at a founding convention at the Texas AFL-CIO headquarters in Austin on May 20. Our state became the 25th to be chartered by the national ARA. Victor Pauly of Victoria was elected President and Elaine Jones is our first Secretary-Treasurer. Vice Presidents were elected by the participating organizations.
Ed Coyle, National ARA Executive Director, outlined
some of the history of labor's efforts to provide effective leadership to
the nation's retirees. President Lyndon Johnson credited our 
predecessor,
the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), with the political backing
that passed Medicare. The NCSC was replaced by the broader Alliance for Retired
Americans (ARA) in 2001. The UAW and other internationals negotiated dues
payments for all members. The total was about 1.9 million, Ed Coyle said.
Today, the national organization claims 4 million retired unionists and 400,000 members of community groups as members, Ed Coyle said. About 81,000 Texans are already members who had their dues paid by their internationals. Unlike the better-known AARP, the ARA strongly opposed the now-infamous "Part D" Medicare Prescription Drug Bill. The ARA proudly claims a major role in stopping the government's push to privatize Social Security last year.
The challenge for the Texas group will be to connect retirees and channel their tremendous strength to meet today's challenges. Convention speakers noted that Texas retirees will be a major factor in the November elections because of attacks on their pensions, health care, Social Security, and other rights. Thousands of the retirees who signed up for the "Part D" drug plan will lose coverage this summer while continuing to pay premiums.
President Pauly emphasized that the new organization's
growth will not depend entirely on unions. Any Texas organization that supports
TARA's goals can join, including church, civil rights, and community 
groups.
TARA's exceedingly low membership dues will not be an obstacle to growth.
The maximum dues for a big organization is $30/year!
Pauly acknowledged the tremendous role of the Texas AFL-CIO in organizing TARA. He particularly pointed out Secretary-Treasurer Becky Moeller who, with almost all of the Texas AFL-CIO leadership, was present at the founding convention. Renowned Communications Director Ed Sills volunteered to help the new retiree organization overcome our state's vast distances with a flow of information that will benefit every Texas retiree. Connie Engholm, from National ARA, will liaison with Texas leadership and will produce a timely newsletter.
Among the many leaders present were Mike Cunningham of the Texas Building Trades Council, President Linda Bridges of the Texas Federation of Teachers, President Danny Cooke President of the Texas State Council of Machinists, Wil Duncan from National AFL-CIO, and Joe Gunn, former President of the State Federation.
President Pauly emphasized that there is tremendous
work ahead, but amazing potential for Texas retirees. "Retirement is
not the end," he said, "Retirement is the beginning!"
Texas retirees put serious thinking into creating their new statewide organization. National leader Ed Coyle (blue shirt above) outlined some of the great challenges and opportunities. Newly elected President Victor Pauly (black jacket above) encouraged everyone to start reaching out to the state's retiree organizations
--Gene Lantz, TARA Communications Director