In a Diplomatic Way, He Helps Lives of Others

Getting mellow with age for Daniel Cohen means doing what he did as a youth, only more diplomatically.

A native of New Jersey, he devoted much of his adult life to the causes of progressive politics, old-time unionism and free speech. Today, he’s a senior assemblyman in the California Senior Legislature, where he represents older Californians from the Westside.

Cohen says he has tempered his methods, but the issues remain the same as 40 years ago in health care, survivors benefits, Social Security and housing.

“We represent the fastest-growing population in the country,” he says, “and with that goes a host of problems.”

With the demeanor of an expert, he talks about transportation, nutrition, shipping and storing food and the situation where people are hospitalized because they have been over-treated and over-medicated. He is concerned about the effect of mergers and takeovers on pension funds.

There is not a note of pessimism in his voice, nor a gesture or a word that says anything but that all is possible--and always with the collective “we.”

“What we are trying to do is imagine what the needs will be in 10 years and prepare for them. That’s why getting a federal health plan for everyone is our No. 1 priority. There are 57 million Americans with inadequate or zero health care,” Cohen said.

As a senior legislator, Cohen seeks the common denominator for his constituents and the regular California Legislature. He sees the senior legislature as a valuable pool of information to lawmakers. “We advise them, and once a year we meet in Sacramento in a joint session chaired by members of the Senate and Assembly. Then we report at senior meetings and tell what’s going on.”

And one of the hottest issues is something Cohen is not pleased about. A proposal before the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee would eliminate the checkoff on state income tax forms that is the funding source for the Senior Legislature. “That will put us out of business. Even though we are all volunteers, there are expenses like travel and printing. Whatever is left over from the approximately $460,000 goes to senior progress,” Cohen said.

According to Cohen, the state Legislature is ill-equipped to imagine the ramifications and needs of the senior population, and that is why the group is so valuable.

For Cohen, a retired electrician, retirement has meant the opening of a new life that he thinks should be productive. He says people should learn how to retire and go to school, if necessary, to acquire the skills to deal with this next phase of life. “The Swedes and Japanese do it, but it didn’t go over well with my union when I suggested it,” he added. He would also like to see 5% of workers’ salaries set aside for a 13-week sabbatical every five years.

Cohen has advice for other seniors: Get involved, write letters and make visits to local government offices and other institutions that affect your life. Use what you learned in the first part of your life to make this part more productive.

The Senior Legislature is elected every two years. The state office can be reached at (916) 922-5630. The number for the Westside office is (213) 452-1859.

Bulletin Board

Nutrition Program--Senior Nutrition Program will offer hot lunch and entertainment in honor of Father’s Day; Great Hall, Plummer Park, 1200 N. Vista, Los Angeles; 10:30 a.m. today; reservations required; (213) 655-1232 ($1.75).

Older Workers--UCLA’s Center for Management Research and Education will sponsor a one-day conference “Working With Older Workers” for human resource professionals; Hyatt Hotel, 6225 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday; information: (213) 825-8034 ($125).

Social--Assistance League of Southern California Hollywood Senior Center will present a musicale, featuring soprano Karen Yarmet; 6501 Fountain Ave., Hollywood; 1:30 p.m. Friday; information: (213) 465-2158 (free).