Senate Interns Put Lifelong Activism to Work

Irv and Bea Zeiger met at a political rally. He pinned her with his Navy pilot wings and went off to World War II. She left college to work in the defense plants. When he came backthey married.

Forty-seven years later they are still together, standing on the common ground they had then--their commitment to self-improvement and to their country.

The Zeigers, both 73, recently returned to their home in the Hollywood Hills after a three-month internship in Washington in the office of Sen. Howard Metzenbaum (D-Ohio) with enthusiasm more typically associated with college seniors than senior citizens.

“We’re all in the same boat,” said Irv. “We want our country to do better.”

Bea, who sees herself as one who tends to look on the dark side, added, “I feel the country is not getting the right elected officials to meet the needs of the little people, so we decided to try to do something about it in our small way.”

Both the Zeigers have had major medical problems that limited their activities for about three years. Going to Washington was their way of making up for lost time.

Irv has known Metzenbaum, 74, since their college days at the University of Michigan. The Zeigers were introduced to the Senate staff as two individuals who were working as legislative aides.

“Everyone thought it was a bit peculiar at first but that quickly disappeared,” Bea said, “because we wanted to fit into the activities of the office immediately. So we were taught how to use a computer, and arrangements were made to attend seminars on how Congress operates and how to use its resources--just like we were going to stay there forever.”

Bea’s first assignment was to work on the U.S.-Mexico Free Trade Agreement, conducting research and attending hearings.

“She sat right there behind the senator,” Irv said proudly.

Irv worked on the problems surrounding the cancellation of the Navy’s A-12 attack jet program. As a businessman who manufactured and distributed aircraft electronic components, he was able to cut to the core.

“Look,” he said, “it’s like giving a deposit on something and not getting the stuff when you ask for it and then not getting your deposit back. The government got nothing back and that’s not right. I wouldn’t run my business that way.”

The Zeigers went to the office every day and usually were among the last to leave. But it wasn’t all work. They arranged to have their three teen-age grandchildren come visit them to observe what they were doing.

“We took them to see our office with our computer. We took them to sessions in Congress,” Bea said.

They also had a chance to see their grandfather play first base for the office team.

“I hadn’t played ball in 25 years, but my Boog Powell mitt was in the trunk of my car so I had it express mailed to me,” he said. Irv got a hit, and his grandson became his pinch runner.

The Zeigers were not starry-eyed as to what they could accomplish in such a short stay but tried to leave a legacy. Bea wrote a memorandum on how catastrophic health care coverage is too limited. Her work will be the basis for a hearing later this year.

Irv, meanwhile, investigated a little-known aspect of the savings and loan debacle. He found that the government was not providing adequate public notice when it came time to sell low-income housing it owned, making it difficult for low-income people to buy. He proposed changing the waiting period from 90 to 150 days. By the time the Zeigers left Washington, an amendment designated S1436 that would make such a change was formulated, and was referred to as the Zeiger Amendment.

The Zeigers arranged their internship directly with Metzenbaum’s office because of their friendship with the senator, but other senior citizens can get a close look at the government in operation by taking part in the Congressional Senior Citizen Intern Program. It is open to people age 50 and over. For more information call Leora Ger at (800) 232-2000.

Bulletin Board

Walking Group--The Santa Monica Strutters, for adults 50 and older, will hold a meeting; Community Room, Santa Monica Place, 4th Street and Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica; 9 a.m. Monday; information: (213) 319-4560 (free).

Saints & Sinners--The group will have dancing and entertainment; 7929 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles; 7 p.m. Tuesday; information: (213) 653-0138 ($4 guests).

Health Fair--The Westchester Senior Center will present its sixth annual Mini Health Fair; 8740 Lincoln Blvd., Los Angeles; 10 a.m. to noon Thursday; information: (213) 649-3317 (free).

Senior Centers

Here is a partial list of centers and agencies that offer programs for seniors.

Olive Stone Center, 1440 Harvard St., Santa Monica (213) 829-2228.

Culver City Senior Center, 4153 Overland Ave., Culver City, (213) 202-5856.

Felicia Mahood Senior Center, 11338 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 479-4119.

West Hollywood Senior Center, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (213) 851-8202.

Hollywood Senior Center, 6501 Fountain Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 465-2158.

Crenshaw-Baldwin Hills Senior Center, 4000 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 291-5928.

Santa Monica Senior Recreation Center, 1450 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, (213) 394-1227.

Items for Bulletin Board may be mailed to The Times, 1717 4th St., Suite 200, Santa Monica 90401, at least three weeks in advance. Events must be open to the public.