The American Geriatrics Society - - News - Ambassador Lindy Boggs Accepts 2003 FHA Lifetime of Caring Award

For Immediate Release
October 28, 2003

For Further Information
Pamela Ingham
(212) 308-1414, ext. 302
Scott Kramer
(212) 308-1414, ext. 329

Ambassador Lindy Boggs Accepts 2003 FHA Lifetime of Caring Award

New York, NY- The Foundation for Health in Aging presented Corinne S. "Lindy" Boggs with the Lifetime of Caring Award at its annual gala last night in New York City. As a former ambassador to the Vatican and a Louisiana congresswoman who served nearly two decades in the U.S. House of Representatives, Ambassador Boggs was feted for her life-long commitment to public service.

"I am honored beyond measure to receive the Lifetime of Caring Award from the Foundation for Health in Aging, and in so doing, am joining dear friend and past recipient President Jimmy Carter in this distinction," said Ambassador Boggs. (President Carter and his wife, Rosalyn, received the Lifetime of Caring Award in 2000.) "Meeting the needs of our aging population requires ever increasing awareness of aging issues. I commend the Foundation's enlightened leadership for bringing these important concerns to the attention of our nation's political leadership."

Ambassador Boggs' daughter, Emmy-winning broadcaster Cokie Roberts, emceed the event.

Raymond Gilmartin, Chairman, President and CEO of Merck and Company, Inc., accepted the 2003 Discovery Award on behalf of Merck for its commitment to geriatrics research and education over the past two decades.

Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a nationwide, not-for-profit association of geriatrics health care professionals dedicated to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people. The society supports this mission through activities in: clinical practice; professional education on the clinical care of older people; research; public education and information; public policy efforts; and through collaborative relationships with other organizations. For more information about AGS programs and initiatives, visit the AGS Web site at www.americangeriatrics.org.