Legendary entertainer Pat Boone, National Spokesman for the 60 Plus Association, announced today that Tennessee First District candidate Diana Harshbarger has earned the Association’s Guardian of Seniors’ Rights award. She won the GOP primary to take the seat of Dr. Phil Roe who has announced his retirement from Congress.  

In a statement released by 60 Plus, Boone remarked, “I’m still singing at concerts, but today I’m singing  the praises of Diana Harshbarger, my fellow Volunteer!” (Before moving to Hollywood and Stardom, Boone grew up in Nashville).   

He is familiar as a star of music, film, and television with three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Boone had 38 Top-Ten hits since his recording career began in the 1950s, and, according to Billboard magazine, holds the record for the most consecutive weeks (220) on the charts by any performer. He and Elvis Presley were the top recording stars in that era. 

On behalf of the American Association of Senior Citizens, 60 Plus Chairman Jim Martin and President Saul Anuzis were both on hand at a Tennessee Roundtable event in the nation’s capital to present the award.  

Martin said the Guardian award is given in appreciation to “those who work tirelessly for seniors, as so many of our elderly struggle on fixed incomes and are coping with this deadly disease. Seniors have to live within their means and so should our government.” 

Anuzis noted that the “death tax should be buried,” a tax he said “negatively impacts farmers, and small businesses who may be land and equipment rich but cash poor. To those who claim that’s a tax break for the wealthy that’s nonsense!   They have the financial wherewithal to set up trusts and foundations. Not so small businesses and farmers,” he emphasized.       

Both praised Mrs. Harshbarger for pledging to always protect Social Security and Medicare and said that’s reason enough to present her with the Association’s highest award. Others in the Tennessee Delegation to earn the Award include retired Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Marsha Blackburn, and Representative Roe himself.