1999's CCHOAA WINNER

Our first recipient is a man of stature…someone who has been in the aging field as a professional and as a volunteer for many years. 

E. Bentley Lipscomb has made many contributions and is well known. Bentley has many traits similar to those of C. Colburn Hardy aka "Coly": the first is that he NEVER gives up.  He is a combination of the Energizer Bunny, a worthy adversary and  a tenacious crusader.  Bentley, like Coly, either succeeds or is still “in there pitching” for the issues and programs he believes in.

Bentley has had many accomplishments in both Washington and Tallahassee. Like the Hardy family, one may not always agree with him on everything, but you always know where he stands and he can compromise to best serve the elderly. Perhaps his most well known success was to initiate the Silver Haired Legislature in the late 70’s. Coly thought that was just great, very effective, and EXACTLY what successful and talented older persons should be doing to advance public policy and programs. Bentley’s development of the Community Care for the Elderly program, and his service as Florida’s first Secretary of Elder Affairs are well documented.

Bentley is a star. His commitment to seniors is extraordinary. He exemplifies Coly's belief that those privileged and educated persons in this country have a duty and responsibility to return something to society. In Coly that “something” was a vision of how the State of Florida, regardless of politics, should be ahead of the Millennium in changing approaches to its exploding older population. Bentley embodies that vision, wisdom and diligent advocacy on behalf of older Floridians.

It was Mrs. Dorcas Hardy's (C. Colburn Hardy's daughter) honor and privilege to present the  First C. Colburn Hardy Award to the Honorable E. Bentley Lipscomb.