Conn. AARP to Honor Sen. John A. Kissel for His Work Protecting Seniors

October 10, 2012
Sen. John A. Kissel (right) greets Attorney Charles Parakilas in front of Geissler's Supermarket in Somers during one of Sen. Kissel's frequent "Senator on Your Sidewalk" events. Parakilas is the President of the Enfield Society for the Detection of Thieves and Robbers which celebrated its 189th anniversary this year. Sen. Kissel has been selected to receive a 2012 Legislative Achievement Award from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) for his efforts to protect seniors from financial exploitation.

Sen. John A. Kissel (right) greets Attorney Charles Parakilas in front of Geissler’s Supermarket in Somers during one of Sen. Kissel’s frequent “Senator on Your Sidewalk” events. Parakilas is the President of the Enfield Society for the Detection of Thieves and Robbers which celebrated its 189th anniversary this year. Sen. Kissel has been selected to receive a 2012 Legislative Achievement Award from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) for his efforts to protect seniors from financial exploitation.

Sen. John A. Kissel has been selected to receive a 2012 Legislative Achievement Award from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) for his efforts to protect seniors from financial exploitation.

The AARP (www.aarp.org/ct) has nearly 600,000 members in Connecticut.

“We commend you for advocating for new standards and financial protections that protect seniors against guardianship and power of attorney abuses,” Connecticut AARP officials wrote to Sen. Kissel on Oct. 9. “Because of your work, people will enjoy stronger financial and personal protections under Connecticut’s Uniform Adult Protection Proceedings Jurisdiction Acts. We especially applaud you for working to bring together colleagues from both political parties to support this effort.”

“I am honored and humbled to have been selected to receive this award,” Sen. Kissel said. “Preventing our elderly citizens from being taken advantage of has been my priority, and I thank the AARP for recognizing my work.”

AARP officials will formally present Sen. Kissel with the award at the organization’s Volunteer & Partner Recognition Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, November 16 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville.

Sen. Kissel (www.senatorkissel.com) serves as Ranking Member of the Connecticut General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee and as Chief Deputy Minority Leader. He represents 7th Senate District towns including East Granby, Enfield, Somers, Suffield, Windsor Locks and portions of Granby and Windsor.