--- title: Rep. Derek Kilmer Visits Tacoma Community description: U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) visited a senior living community in Tacoma, Washington. --- [Argentum Logo\_RGB2](https://argentum.org) Search - [About Argentum](https://argentum.org/about-argentum/) - [Leadership](https://argentum.org/about-argentum/leadership/) - [State Partners](https://argentum.org/about-argentum/state-partners/) - [Membership](https://argentum.org/about-argentum/membership/) - [Media Kit](https://www.argentum.org/advertising-and-sponsorship/) - [Advocacy](https://argentum.org/advocacy/) - [Federal Advocacy](https://argentum.org/advocacy/federal-advocacy/) - [State Advocacy](https://argentum.org/advocacy/state-advocacy/) - [Silver PAC](https://argentum.org/advocacy/silver-pac/) - [Advocacy News](https://www.argentum.org/advocacy/advocacy-news/) - [Events](https://argentum.org/events/) - [Senior Living Executive Conference](https://conference.argentum.org) - [Webinars](https://www.argentum.org/webinars/) - [Executive Director Leadership Institute](https://edli.argentum.org/) - [Chief Executive Summit](https://argentum.org/events/chief-executive-summit/) - [Advocacy Fund Golf Classic](https://www.argentum.org/golfclassic/) - [Senior Living Symposium](https://symposium.argentum.org/) - [Public Policy Institute & Fly-In](https://argentum.org/events/public-policy-institute-fly-in/) - [Media](https://argentum.org/media/) - [Coronavirus Toolkit](https://www.argentum.org/coronavirustoolkit/) - [Press Releases](https://argentum.org/press-releases/) - [Senior Living Executive Magazine](https://argentum.org/media/senior-living-executive-magazine/) - [Argentum Daily](https://argentum.org/media/argentum-e-newsletter/) - [Senior Living Professional](https://www.argentum.org/senior-living-professional/) - [Members in the News](https://argentum.org/topic/members-in-the-news/) - [Search by Topic](https://argentum.org/media/search-by-topic/) - [Research & Initiatives](https://argentum.org/research-and-initiatives/) - [Senior Living Impact](https://seniorlivingimpact.org/) - [Senior Living Works](https://seniorliving.works) - [Senior Living IQ](https://seniorlivingiq.org) - [Women in Leadership](https://www.argentum.org/research-and-initiatives/women-in-leadership/) - [Argentum Quarterly](https://argentum.org/research-and-initiatives/argentum-quarterly/) - [Awards Programs](https://www.argentum.org/research-and-initiatives/awards-recognition-programs/) - [LEAD Program](https://www.argentum.org/lead-program/) - [Standards for Senior Living](https://www.argentum.org/research-and-initiatives/standards-for-senior-living/) - [Professional Development](https://argentum.org/professional-development/) - [Senior Living Supplier Directory](https://seniorlivingsupplierdirectory.com/) - [Senior Living Career Center](http://seniorlivingcareers.argentum.org/) - [Certificate Programs and Certification](https://argentum.org/professional-development/professional-certification/) - [Resource Library](https://www.argentum.org/professional-development/resource-library/) - [Executive Roundtables](https://argentum.org/professional-development/executive-roundtables/) # Rep. Derek Kilmer Visits Tacoma Community - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Last week, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) visited the new [Merrill Gardens community](https://www.merrillgardens.com/senior-living/wa/tacoma/south-g-street/) in the historic Wright Park neighborhood of Tacoma. He was able to make direct connections with the residents and spent time with them during a question-and-answer period. Congressman Kilmer enjoyed a tour of the community and the spectacular view of commencement day from the rooftop garden. The Merrill Gardens Wright Park community thoroughly enjoyed the visit with the Congressman and is very appreciative of his willingness to spend time making this meaningful connection. ![Kilmer_2023aug](https://blog.argentum.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Kilmer_2023aug.png?width=592&height=474&name=Kilmer_2023aug.png) Help us tell our story and share the value of senior living with lawmakers: - Download the [toolkit](https://info.argentum.org/community-visits-with-lawmakers) on how to host lawmakers for visits at your community; - Download a complimentary copy of the [Value of Assisted Living for America](https://info.argentum.org/value-of-assisted-living-for-america) report; - Make a contribution to [Silver PAC](https://ai360.aristotle.com/AI360FormBuilder/(S(e5abhslnna1xx4qcur4tzfnh))/mobileForm.aspx?dbid=74259590-b4ad-446f-86e0-a289d953b749&page_id=1), the fund supported exclusively by senior living advocates, dedicated to helping foster relationships with key lawmakers and educate them on our issues. Lawmakers are in the midst of their annual August recess, meeting with constituents and holding community events back in their states and districts. We need your help to be part of these discussions and to tell the story of senior living! One of the best ways to meet with lawmakers is by hosting them for visits at a senior living community, where they will have the opportunity to see first-hand daily life of residents and caregivers and better understand our challenges and the legislative solutions we have proposed. To help more senior living communities join in our grassroots advocacy efforts to educate and inform lawmakers on the value of senior living and our policy solutions, Argentum prepared a [toolkit](https://info.argentum.org/community-visits-with-lawmakers) on hosting lawmakers for community visits. The toolkit includes sample invitations you can send to lawmakers, a sample itinerary or tour structure, best practices for preparing for your visit, how to make your request for support of legislation and continue your conversation after the event concludes, and information on how to get started and work with Argentum and your State Partners in setting up these events. [![DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2715174/adfd1a21-1699-43ff-a384-3063a1222ab7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2715174/adfd1a21-1699-43ff-a384-3063a1222ab7) We strongly encourage all Argentum member communities to host lawmakers as part of community tours. If you are interested in hosting a lawmaker, please reach out to Kyle Loeber at [kloeber@argentum.org](mailto:kloeber@argentum.org). Topics: [Community Tour](https://blog.argentum.org/topic/community-tour) ### Written by [Argentum](https://blog.argentum.org/author/argentum) ## Stay Connected Get updates on the latest news in the senior living community. ### Footer Newsletter - [Contact Us](https://argentum.org/about-argentum/leadership/staff/) - [Terms of Use](https://argentum.org/terms-of-use/) - [Privacy Policy](https://argentum.org/privacy-policy/) - [Trademarks](https://argentum.org/trademarks/) - [Senior Living Supplier Directory](https://seniorlivingsupplierdirectory.com/) - [Senior Living Career Center](https://https://seniorlivingcareers.argentum.org/) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.argentum.org/cookie-policy/) [![Review](https://www.argentum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GPTW-2020-2021-Graphic.png)](http://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/7011541)1650 King Street, Suite 602 Alexandria, VA 22314 [(703) 894-1805](tel:703-894-1805) Argentum is the leading national trade association serving companies that own, operate, and support professionally managed senior living communities in the United States. ©2026 Argentum - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/alfa---assisted-living-federation-of-america) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ArgentumSeniorLiving/) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/argentum) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/assistedlivingfed)