When the dust

settles after a session of the Georgia Legislature, chances are that many

of the bills passed actually originated in another body, the Silver Haired

Legislature.

But the group

rarely gets the credit.

"If it's

something that's really needed, [the Legislature] will take it and run

with it," says Joan Neal, Fayette County's representative on the

Silver Haired Legislature. "We don't get the credit for it, but that's

all right. What we're working for is good legislation."

The group,

sponsored by the Secretary of State's office, meets annually to discuss

concerns of seniors, and passes resolutions and even mock legislation

that often is then passed on to the regular Legislature. Its 2001 session

is scheduled for Oct. 29-31 in Toccoa.

Its work has

been going on quietly for decades.

Neal, who worked

as a lobbyist for educators in Georgia before retiring and once ran for

the regular Legislature back in the '70s, says it's a natural activity

for her. "I got elected eight or ten years ago," she says. "Then

you have to run again every year."

Active in a

variety of local organizations, including Fayette Senior Services, she

not only serves as a member of the organization, but is its speaker of

the House protempore.

"It's

a great organization," says Neal.