The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature is a dedicated group of advocates who represent the interests of Kansans aged 60 and older. KSHL delegates develop bills and resolutions that are presented to the Kansas Legislature and governor. The 2025-26 delegates for Butler, Harvey and Sedgwick Counties are:
Dennis Bender, Sedgwick County, District 1. Bender, a new delegate, was executive director of the Union Rescue Mission in Wichita for several years, served as the Kansas President of the Arthritis Foundation and was part of the Wichita Police Department’s Citizen Review Board.
Gerald McCoy, Sedgwick County, District 2. McCoy is also new to KSHL. His areas of interest include the expansion of Medicaid in Kansas, expansion of the Senior Care Act, legalization of medical cannabis and the elimination of daylight saving time.
Michael Lynn, Sedgwick County, District 3. A delegate since 2023, Lynn intends to keep a close watch on voting in the House and Senate on the issues related to older citizens and report back to district residents.
Cindy Tannehill, Sedgwick County, District 4. Tannehill, a new KSHL delegate, is an advocate for individuals in long-term care facilities and skilled nursing homes and is committed to protecting older adults from predatory financial practices.
Donna Lehane, Sedgwick County, District 5. Lehane has participated in KSHL for many years and currently serves as Secretary of its Executive Board. She works with the Alliance for Retired Americans and sits on the Executive Board of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).
Charles (Chuck) Schmidt, Sedgwick County, At-Large. Schmidt joined KSHL in 2019 and has served as Speaker of the KSHL House. He is a former state representative, educator and school superintendent.
Leroy Burton, Butler County. A delegate since 2023, Burton currently serves as Floor Leader for the KSHL Executive Board. His topics of interest include Medicaid expansion, legalization of medical cannabis, increasing Senior Care Act funding and funding for community-based transportation for older adults.
Arnita Haury, Harvey County. Haury has also been involved with KSHL since 2023. She is a retired educator who has served on ministry committees at her church, was board president of a nonprofit called Peace Connections/Circle of Hope and was Chair of the Harvey County Democrats.
You, too, can be an advocate for aging issues. For more information on the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature visit www.kansas-shl.org or call 785-368-7326.
KSHL representatives are volunteers, and the cost of their advocacy efforts is funded through their own contributions, donations from local companies/organizations and private individuals. Donations may be addressed to the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature at 503 Kansas Avenue, Topeka, Kansas, 66603.
Jennifer Lasley is Director of Information and Community Services for the Central Plains Area Agency on Aging.
