60 Plus Association backs Austria in OH-7

State Sen. Steve Austria (R-Beavercreek) recieved the endorsment of the 60 Plus Association Wednesday from organization spokesperson, singer Pat Boone.

The group is a nonpartisan senior advocacy group that focuses on issues such as the death tax repeal, Social Security, energy costs and affordable prescription drugs.

Boone presented Austria with the Association's Honorary Guardian of Seniors' Rights award, calling him a "fighter for the elderly."

Boone cited Austria's support to repeal the "Death Tax," which the Austria campaign said hurts small businesses and farmers across Ohio and the country.

"Steve Austria, running for the U.S. House of Representatives for Ohio's 7th District, knows a bad tax when he sees one and the Death Tax is as bad as they come," Boone said. "And to those who call death tax repeal a 'tax break for the rich,' or akin to giving a 'tax break for Paris Hilton,' I say that's nonsense, a con job of the first order. In fact, invoking her name is an insult to small businesses and farmers."

Boone said he was pleased to present the award to Austria, calling him a tax cutter protecting the pocket books of senior citizens.

"60 Plus calls on nearly 5 million seniors for support so I believe I can speak on behalf of seniors when I say that they can count on Steve Austria," Boone said. "Clearly, seniors will have no finer friend in Congress than Steve Austria."

Austria said he was honored to receive the endorsement, citing what he called his proven track record of supporting tax cuts and fighting for the elderly.

"In the state Senate, I sponsored legislation that became law that would put safety measures in force to protect patients in nursing homes, hospitals, and other facilities that use medical gases," Austria said. "The intent of this bill was to help prevent a tragedy like the local tragedy that occurred at Carriage by the Lake Nursing Home in Bellbrook, Ohio from occurring again."

Four resident of the nursing home facility died in 2000 when nitrogen was administered through the oxygen lines. 

"Rest assured that I will continue to protect our seniors in Congress," Austria said.

Austria is running against attorney Sharen Neuhardt (D-Yellow Springs) to replace retiring U.S. Rep. David Hobson (R-Springfield) in Ohio's 7th District.