May 2021

SPOKANE CHAPTER 32 NEWSLETTER

Published Monthly except July and August

www.narfespokane.org

21 – 05 Advocates for Current and Former Federal Employees May 2021

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Scott Robinson

NARFE's virtual legislative training conference (aka LEGcon21) will be held June 21-23. It will offer critical advocacy training, insight from NARFE experts and lawmakers about the status of our legislative priorities, and an opportunity for you to use new skills in virtual meetings with our elected representatives. Additionally, the Centennial Gala will be the evening of June 21, and will celebrate NARFE's century of service to the federal community.

During the week of May 2-8, public servants across the country will be recognized for their commitment to ensure our government fulfills the needs of all Americans and keeps the country moving forward in these unprecedented times. During Public Service Recognition Week, NARFE proudly joins other government organizations, Congress, and the White House to express gratitude for our valuable contributions. This year, PSRW takes on additional meaning because many civil servants have served our country while risking their own health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 3, Spokane City Council President Breenan Beggs will present to me a City Proclamation to honor all public servants for their continued service in the City of Spokane.

On April 22, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a hearing for Kiran Ahuja, who is President Biden's nominee for director of the Office of Personnel Management.

Please call me at 208-661-7695 or email me at scottsoriole@q.com if you have any questions regarding Spokane Chapter 32.

Not President's Corner, but my response to Council President Breenan Beggs: Thank you, Council President Beggs, for recognizing the public servants who live and work within Spokane. Our local chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees has about 500 members. Many of our members have continued to share their time and talents within our community. Although we represent the Federal workforce, many other public servants work within State, County, and City organizations. They share our passion for public service. Thank you, again, for this recognition.

DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Due to the present health situation all Meetings are virtual until further notice.

ZOOM:

To Join the Zoom Meeting, you can either:

Call: 1 – 253 – 215 - 8782

Meeting ID: 869 6851 3284, Passcode: 142288

Or you CLICK ON THIS LINK.

WA STATE FEDERATION PRESIDENT Steve Roy

Working with Region IX VP Linda Silverio, I drafted a proclamation for Gov. Jay Inslee recognizing NARFE’s Centennial milestone. I am pleased to report it will be dated for Public Service Recognition Week, May 2 – 8.

As I previously reported, I established the WSF Reinvention Committee earlier this year to investigate our federation’s future. The committee has met virtually several times. To better understand the needs and wants of our federation leaders and members, the committee has been developing surveys. Recently, chapter leaders electronically received their survey. It is due by mid-May. Other surveys will follow to those chapter and national only members for whom we have email addresses.

Several congressional representatives are now cosponsoring the legislation to repeal GPO and WEP, one of NARFE’s legislative “campaigns.” So, contacting legislators is helping! Another good source for tracking legislation, is www.congress.gov.

NARFE-PAC MaryAnn Bosky

You can contribute to NARFE-PAC contribution form in the NARFE magazine or by sending a check, made out to NARFE-PAC to our post office box. The address is: NARFE, PO Box 4592, Spokane, WA 99220.

The more members we have the more power to protect our benefits/retirement. We are speaking to all members not just those retired.

LEGISLATION Roger Bosky

For those of you about to retire, there is an alarming figure out there. Making the decision to retire can be tough. The planning can also be difficult. NARFE can help with those things, but what NARFE cannot help with is the 6 - 12 months that it may take to get your first check or payment. You heard right! Because of backlogs at agencies and OPM, it may take up to 12 months to get even interim payments. Our advice - be prepared. NARFE will also be lobbying for faster payments.

The U.S. Postal Service is an essential pillar of American life. During the past few years, it has come under attack. However, President Biden’s nomination of three new persons to the postal governing board signals a renewed commitment to rejuvenate the postal service. All three nominees are familiar with USPS operations and want to improve services and turn around finances. It appears likely that they will be confirmed. Postmaster DeJoy is likely to continue in his position, and the nominees stated that they liked some aspects of DeJoy’s 10-year plan.

May 2 - 8 is Public Service recognition week. NARFE chapter 32 expresses it thanks to all public service employees and retirees for their contributions and dedication.

PROGRAM Chris Smith and Joanne Welch

April’s membership meeting brought Joel Loiacono, Regional Director of Eastern WA and Northern Idaho Alzheimer’s Association. Joel presented the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s, distinguishing the symptoms from more normal changes that come with aging. Some of the symptoms mentioned can be caused by other conditions including thyroid problems, diabetes, depression, Parkinson’s, and even Vitamin B12 deficiencies, so it is essential to visit a doctor for a diagnosis. The Alzheimer’s Association offers a wide scope of support for patients and families alike. The Walk for Alzheimer’s will be October 2 this year. Stay tuned for more information as the date approaches.

Gordon Williams, Postmaster and President of the WA Chapter of United Postmasters and Managers of America, will be presenting at our May 12 meeting. He will be discussing recent problems confronting the Postal Service and the future of postal reform. Louise Soles helped contact Gordon and will introduce him at our meeting. Threats to service and inequities for postal employees have been long term concerns, so we are hoping there will be some solutions soon.

In June, we will welcome Barb Sido, Executive Director of NARFE (on the national level), who will help us celebrate the Centennial of the organization.

VICE PRESIDENT Arlene Patton

LEGcon21 and Centennial Gala Registration: As a reminder, the dates for these events are June 21-23 with the gala being held the night of the 21st. Note: All times are shown as Eastern Time. Registration is now open. The Early Bird rate for LEGcon 21 is $135.00, increasing to $150.00 after May 7th. The fee for the gala is $50.00. Go to https://s7.goeshow.com/narfe/legcon/2021/index.cfm, to register.

The Washington State Federation (WSF) is reimbursing members in good standing up to $250.00 for attending these events. However, you need to contact WSF President Steve Roy at stevenroy@comcast.net or 425-344-3926 to obtain approval prior to registering! Failure to get advanced approval will result in the federation not reimbursing you. Once you receive approval, you may process your reimbursement request, using the F-1 form available on the WSF website.

MEMBERSHIP

We are looking for an energetic member willing to become the Membership Chairperson. Contact Scott Robinson if you are interested.

NARFE is more than just a great magazine. Let them know!

Promote NARFE anytime you can. The more members we have the more power to protect our benefits and retirement!

NARFE = YOUR BEST BET FOR THE FUTURE!

SUNSHINE Susan Harvey

We are all still suffering from the evil we cannot see. Many blessings to all who have been enduring these losses and the uncertainty of COVID changes. Ann Calabro, our Chapter member and widow of Larry Calabro, recently passed away. Condolences have been sent to her family.

Chapter 32 sends birthday and anniversary wishes to all who celebrate in May.

REMINDER, spouses can be members OR can take over the membership of a deceased member. If you are interested in continuing this unbelievably valuable membership, please contact Scott Robinson. He is currently recruiting for a Membership Chair. If you are interested, please contact him.

If you become aware of good news, illnesses, surgeries, or a death of a member or family member, please contact me.

ALZHEIMER’S Pat Hegerberg

Now, new research shows drinking about three cups of coffee each day might stave off Alzheimer's for older adults experiencing memory declines.

The study of 124 older adults with mild cognitive impairment ages 65 to 88 found that caffeine and coffee intake was associated with a reduced risk of developing dementia or a delayed onset of the disease.

Over a two-to-four-year follow-up in the study in which researchers examined blood caffeine levels among participants, they found that participants with MCI who progressed to dementia had 51 percent lower caffeine levels compared with those with MCI who remained stable. Their findings are published in the June 5, 2012 issue of Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

During this Stay-at-Home time, checks may be mailed directly to the WSF Alzheimer’s Chair:

NARFE Alzheimer’s Research:

Lorie Bennett

4310 S Kingwood Street

Kennewick, WA.99337-5706

Include Chapter 32 on your check.

Spokane Washington Chapter 32

PO Box 4592

Spokane, WA 99220

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association 32

NARFE on the Web: National: www.narfe.org WSF: www.narfewa.org Spokane: www.narfespokane.org

April 2021

SPOKANE CHAPTER 32 NEWSLETTER

Published Monthly except July and August

www.narfespokane.org

21 – 04 Advocates for Current and Former Federal Employees April 2021

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Scott Robinson

Spring is in the air as we survived another winter and our first year of COVID-19. I reported in February that 7% of Spokane County’s population had been vaccinated. As of this writing, 13% have been fully vaccinated and 21% have received at least one jab in the arm. Yours truly is among them. I look forward to the day when we can return to Darcy’s for our regular lunch meetings.

Many people have experienced slower than expected deliveries with the US Postal Service. The dedicated work of postal employees is not to blame, but rather recent policies enacted by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. He was appointed by a Board of Governors during the previous administration but cannot be terminated with three vacancies on the board. President Biden recently nominated three candidates to fill these vacancies. Perhaps, change for the better will come to the Postal Service. Our guest speaker in May will talk about Postal Service reform.

NARFE is preparing for its Centennial celebration (June 21) and Legislative Training Conference (aka LEGcon21, June 21-23). LEGcon21 promises to be an exciting event with training on how best to advocate for your benefits, with an emphasis on setting up virtual meetings with our legislators. The Centennial celebration will offer memorable speeches and presentations honoring our 100 years of service to the federal community. Registration for both events will open in early April.

Please call me at 208-661-7695 or email me at scottsoriole@q.com if you have any questions regarding Spokane Chapter 32.

DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Due to the present health situation all Meetings are virtual until further notice.

ZOOM:

To Join the Zoom Meeting, you can either:

Call: 1 – 253 – 215 - 8782

Meeting ID: 869 6851 3284, Passcode: 142288

Or you CLICK ON THIS LINK.

NARFE-PAC MaryAnn Bosky

You can contribute to NARFE-PAC contribution form in the NARFE magazine or by sending a check, made out to NARFE-PAC to our post office box. The address is: NARFE, PO Box 4592, Spokane, WA 99220.

The more members we have the more power to protect our benefits/retirement. We are speaking to all members not just those retired.

LEGISLATION Roger Bosky

As more and more federal employees return to their regular workplaces, I offer my sincere appreciation for their dedications, especially those on the front lines. With COVID-19 still rampant, there are many safety challenges. Whenever we come in contact with these employees we should give them a well-deserved “thank you”.

Once again Congress has introduced a bill to repeal the Wind Fall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Already, it has garnered 111 bipartisan sponsors. Last year it had over 250 sponsors.

Almost 2 million beneficiaries get their Social Security benefits reduced because they worked less than 30 years under Social Security and also held a non-Social Security Administration covered job at some point in their careers. The GPO and WEP unfairly discriminates against people who have worked in both government and non-government jobs. This bill needs to get passed. Please call our representative. We have 4 known chapter members losing benefits.

Another long overdue bill is the Federal Adjustment of Income Rate (FAIR) Act. This bill would provide an average 3.2% coverage pay raise for federal employees. Let’s remember those several years when employees got no raises and had to pay more for their retirements. The raise would allow the U.S. to compete more readily with private employees. Support federal employees by telling Congresspeople of this need.

PROGRAM Chris Smith and Joanne Welch

Our NARFE program for March featured Tom Clark, Darin Watkins, and Tom McArthur from the Spokane Association of Realtors. It was a fascinating overview of the housing crisis in Spokane. Some interesting facts: Spokane is short 30,000 houses for potential buyers, 57% of adult children under 30 live at home due to difficulty finding homes or rentals, Spokane and Scottsdale, AZ are top desired spots for folks looking to relocate. The Spokane market is especially depleted in homes and condos under $250,000. The cost of lumber, permitting, strict zoning, and new energy codes have contributed to rising home costs.

April’s speaker will be Joel Loiacono, Regional Director of Eastern WA & Northern Idaho Alzheimer’s Association. He’ll be talking about “The Ten Warning Signs” of Alzheimer’s.

May’s speaker will be Gordon Williams, Postmaster & President of WA Chapter of United Postmasters & Managers of America. He will be addressing the continuing saga of postal reform. Thanks, Louise Soles, for arranging for Gordon to join us.

VICE PRESIDENT Arlene Patton

Quarterly, NARFE National purges its membership records. During the March purge Chapter 32 had 21 Chapter members dropped for Non-Renewal. To remain strong, we need all current members to help by renewing their membership with NARFE and Chapter 32. Effective March 10 we were down to 290 Chapter 32 members and 209 National only members. Postcard renewal notices were sent to the 21 dropped members. Also, NARFE material was sent to the prospective members.

Outreach, during this time of COVID – 19, has been a challenge. We need to look for every opportunity to get involved and support local events. For the second year we will not be holding the annual spring Pre-Retirement Seminar and the Rest Stop fundraiser is questionable. We do hope that by Late summer we can hold the garage sale and participate in the annual health fairs. On October 2, 2021 the annual Alzheimer Walk is scheduled for Spokane. This might be a great event for Chapter 32 to be involved in, what do you think?

MEMBERSHIP

We are looking for an energetic member willing to become the Membership Chairperson. Contact Scott Robinson if you are interested.

NARFE is more than just a great magazine. Let them know!

Promote NARFE anytime you can. The more members we have the more power to protect our benefits and retirement!

NARFE = YOUR BEST BET FOR THE FUTURE!

SUNSHINE Susan Harvey

NARFE has not received notice of any deaths of our members. I recently sent a “Thinking about you” card to Ken and Tina Kaul as he is undergoing medical treatment. We are still suffering from the evil we cannot see. Many blessings to all who have been enduring these losses.

Chapter 32 sends birthday and anniversary wishes to all who celebrate in April.

REMINDER, spouses can be members OR can take over the membership of a deceased member. If you are interested in continuing this very valuable membership, please contact Scott Robinson. He is currently recruiting for a Membership Chair. If you are interested, please contact him.

If you become aware of good news, illnesses, surgeries, or a death of a member or family member, please contact me.

ALZHEIMER’S Pat Hegerberg

Link between Alzheimer's disease and gut microbiota is confirmed

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. In recent years, the scientific community has suspected that the gut microbiota plays a role in the development of the disease. A team from the University of Geneva Switzerland, together with Italian colleagues from the National Research and Care Center for Alzheimer's and Psychiatric Diseases Fatebenefratelli in Brescia, University of Naples and the IRCCS SDN Research Center in Naples, CONFIRM the correlation, in humans, between an imbalance in the gut microbiota and the development of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are at the origin of the neurodegenerative disorders’ characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

Proteins produced by certain intestinal bacteria, identified in the blood of patients, could indeed modify the interaction between the immune and the nervous systems and trigger the disease. These results, to be discovered in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, make it possible to envisage new preventive strategies based on the modulation of the microbiota of people at risk.

Spokane Washington Chapter 32

PO Box 4592

Spokane, WA 99220

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association 32

NARFE on the Web: National: www.narfe.org WSF: www.narfewa.org Spokane: www.narfespokane.org

March 2021

SPOKANE CHAPTER 32 NEWSLETTER

Published Monthly except July and August

www.narfespokane.org

21 - 03 Advocates for Current and Former Federal Employees March 2021

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Scott Robinson

MESSAGE FROM STEVE ROY, WASHINGTON STATE FEDERATION PRESIDENT

ARE YOU A VICTIM OF THE UNFAIR WEP and GPO?

IF SO, WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR PERSONAL Story. The WEP and GPO unfairly impacts thousands of Americans including federal retirees and hits them in the pocketbook. We would like to share your story with Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05). Here is the background on WEP and GPO, The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduces the Social Security benefits of local, state and federal retirees who worked in Social Security-covered employment (e.g., private-sector jobs) and who also receive a government annuity from their non-Social Security covered government employment. As of December 2019, the WEP affects 1,912,706 beneficiaries, including 1,797,415 retired workers, 12,943 workers with disabilities, and 102,348 spouses and children. In 2020, the WEP can result in a monthly benefit that is $480 lower than under the regular benefit formula. This unfair reduction causes a disproportionate reduction in benefits for workers with lower monthly benefit amounts than those with higher benefit amounts.

The WEP applies to federal retirees who began their federal employment prior to 1983 and are covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Under CSRS, federal employees pay a 7 percent payroll contribution toward their CSRS retirement annuities. They do not pay a 6.2 per-cent payroll tax toward Social Security, and therefore, do not earn any Social Security benefits based on their federal work. The WEP does not apply to federal employees covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), as these federal employees pay the 6.2 percent payroll tax, in addition to their FERS retirement contributions, and therefore earn Social Security benefits based on their government work.

The Government Pension Offset (GPO).

Legislation was enacted in 1977 to prevent government retirees from collecting both a government annuity based on their own work in non-Social Security covered employment and Social Security benefits based on their spouse’s work record. The new law became effective with government employees who were first eligible to retire in December 1982. The law known as the Social Security Government Pension Offset, or GPO provides that two-thirds of the government annuity offsets whatever Social Security bene-fits would be payable to the retired government worker as a spouse (wife, husband, widow, widower). Take the example of a spouse who receives a civil service annuity of $900 per month based on his/her own earnings and applies for a Social Security widow(er)’s benefit of $500. Two-thirds of his/her annuity, or $600, totally offsets the Social Security widow(er)’s benefit. Therefore, he/she receives no widow(er)’s benefit from Social Security.

As of December 2019, the GPO affects 707,879 beneficiaries. Of those affected by the GPO, 46 percent are widows or widowers, and 83 percent are women. In addition to Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) annuitants, the GPO affects thousands of state and municipal retirees, as well as teachers and police officers whose work is not covered by Social Security.

Please help us to inform Representative McMorris Rodgers about the impacts of WEP and GPO by providing us with your personal story. Our goal is to ask her to cosponsor legislation in the 117th Congress to repeal WPO and GPO.

Thank you.

DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Due to the present health situation all Meetings are virtual until further notice.

ZOOM:

To Join the Zoom Meeting, you can either:

Call: 1 – 253 – 215 - 8782

Meeting ID: 869 6851 3284, Passcode: 142288

Or you CLICK ON THIS LINK.

NARFE-PAC MaryAnn Bosky

You can contribute to NARFE-PAC contribution form in the NARFE magazine or by sending a check, made out to NARFE-PAC to our post office box. The address is: NARFE, PO Box 4592, Spokane, WA 99220.

The more members we have the more power to protect our benefits/retirement. We are speaking to all members not just those retired.

LEGISLATION Roger Bosky

As the new legislative session begins, Congress has proposed several bills favorable to employees and retirees. H.R. 352 would provide an average 3.2% pay raise for employees, H.R. 82 would eliminate some of the impacts the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Offset Provision (GPO) have on federal employees. NARFE has an extensive list of proposals in support of our earned benefits. They are included in the latest NARFE Magazine. NARFE is also doing a great job in providing all representatives with copies of our legislative agenda.

At our last meeting there was support for focusing our efforts on a couple of issues, Postal Reform, the WEP, and having our Congressional representative speak to us via zoom.

What I propose is to develop some brief talking points describing these issues and what we want. The talking points would provide a brief description of the issue (2-3 sentences) and then 2-3 sentences describing the impacted and asking for her support. We would then follow up by inviting our representative to a zoom meeting to discuss these and any other issues of import to her.

I believe that these steps will provide a sound basis for staying in touch with our representatives.

PROGRAM Chris Smith and Joanne Welch

Dr. Francisco Velazquez, interim Health Officer for Spokane Regional Health District, delivered an excellent presentation on the state of Covid vaccinations. The advice sounds familiar, but still so important: continue to wear a mask (double layer), wash your hands, and social distance… and get a Covid vaccination (any brand) as soon as you can. Once you’ve had the vaccine, continue to follow the same three tenets above for the protection of others.

In March, we will welcome Eric Johnson, 2021 President of the Spokane Association of Realtors. He will have the latest figures on Spokane county residential real estate as well as some info on how Covid and lower interest rates have affected the market. He’ll also cover downsizing, competing in a seller’s market, and choosing a realtor. Bring any questions you always wanted to ask a realtor who wasn’t listing your home. See you there!

VICE PRESIDENT Arlene Patton

Chapter 32-Spokane is holding steady with 311 Chapter members and 211 National only members for a total of 522 members. The challenge during this time of a pandemic is how to reach out and recruit new members. In past years we used the annual pre-retirement seminar and the Health Fairs as events for recruitment. Neither of those events happened in 2020 and are on hold at this time. Would love to hear from NARFE members to other recruitment opportunities.

MEMBERSHIP

We are looking for an energetic member willing to become the Membership Chairperson. Contact Scott Robinson if you are interested.

NARFE is more than just a great magazine. Let them know!

Promote NARFE anytime you can. The more members we have the more power to protect our benefits and retirement!

NARFE = YOUR BEST BET FOR THE FUTURE!

SUNSHINE Susan Harvey

Personally, I am counting the days to SPRING! I am ready for sunshine, Spring flowers, everyone who wants to be immunized against COVID-19 to get it, a quieting political scene, and so much more. In my life, I need a little more peace and pleasure, seeing more friends and not worrying about those I love becoming ill.

NARFE has not received notice of any deaths of our members. I recently heard about one member who has lost four friends recently to COVID-19. I am sure this is not the only person who has lost a loved one or a close friend. We are all still suffering from the evil we cannot see. Many blessings to all who have been enduring these losses.

Chapter 32 sends birthday and anniversary wishes to all who celebrate in March.

REMINDER, spouses can be members OR can take over the membership of a deceased member. If you are interested in continuing this very valuable membership, please contact Scott Robinson. He is currently recruiting for a Membership Chair. If you are interested, please contact him.

If you become aware of good news, illnesses, surgeries, or a death of a member or family member, please contact me.

ALZHEIMER’S Pat Hegerberg

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 5, 2021) — The early prognosis of high-risk older adults for amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), using non-invasive and sensitive neuromarkers, is key for early prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

A recent study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, by researchers at the University of Kentucky establishes what they believe is a new way to predict the risk years before a clinical diagnosis. Their work shows that direct measures of brain signatures during mental activity are more sensitive and accurate predictors of memory decline than current standard behavioral testing.

“Many studies have measured electrophysiological rhythms during resting and sleep to predict Alzheimer’s risk. This study demonstrates that better predictions of a person’s cognitive risk can be made when the brain is challenged with a task. Additionally, we learned that out of thousands of possible brain oscillation measures, left-frontal brainwaves during so-called working memory tasks are good predictors for dementia risk,” said lead investigator Yang Jiang, associate professor in the UK Department of Behavioral Sciences and an affiliated faculty member at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging (SBCoA).

When looking for a specific car in a large parking lot, older persons increasingly make more mistakes and take more time than young people due to brain and cognitive aging. Jiang says it has already been reported that brain waves associated with that type of daily memory task differ in cognitively normal older people and those of patients with memory loss and dementia. For this new study, researchers followed healthy older adults for 10 years. They reported that a specific pattern of frontal brainwaves during an everyday memory task predicts a person’s risk of cognitive impairment roughly five years before clinical diagnosis. This pattern was not observed in older people who remained cognitively normal over the next 10 years.

Jiang says predicting and preventing cognitive decline is very important to allow preventive measures, such as lifestyle changes, and for researchers to help achieve a greater quality of life for the rapidly growing aging population. “Compared to current methods using neuroimaging as biomarkers, this method of measuring can be easily set up in clinics, is non-invasive, fast, and affordable. Also, reliably predicting the risk of cognitive decline in an individual is new. Our older participants will soon be able to have a better version of brainwave tests here at UK.”

The clinical and translation work of this study was a team science effort with multiple investigators from UK’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging serving as coauthors including Erin Abner, Richard Kryscio, Greg Jicha, Fred Schmitt, Charles Smith, and collaborators from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, University of Tennessee, and the Institute of Psychology, Beijing China.

This project was brought to SBCoA by scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory co-author Nancy Munro to David Wekstein and Drs. William Markesbery and Charles Smith nearly 15 years ago with funding from the Department of Energy. The research team received funding from NIH in recent years to expand this work in large-scale and diverse populations. Jiang says their longitudinal study underscores the importance of having a successful Alzheimer’s research center at UK.

Linda Van Eldik, director of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, said, “This further emphasizes the long-standing national and international reputation of UK’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and the high quality of our investigators and the research they do.”

Spokane Washington Chapter 32

PO Box 4592

Spokane, WA 99220

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association 32

NARFE on the Web: National: www.narfe.org WSF: www.narfewa.org Spokane: www.narfespokane.org