Troy City Councilwoman Dejerilyn King Henderson has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2014 Human Development Steering Committee.

For Henderson, the appointment represents a year of working to best serve her constituents and to make Troy a better place. “I’m very honored to be appointed to the steering committee,” Henderson said. “I feel that this is a further opportunity to advocate for my constituents. I am so blessed by the Lord to have the opportunities I have had to serve the people who elected me.”

The steering committee’s primary responsibility is to develop NLC federal policy positions on issues involving social services, children and learning, poverty income and support, employment and workforce development, equal opportunity, Social Security and seniors, individuals with disabilities, public health care, mental health parity and immigration reform. Henderson will be working with other elected officials from around the country to create the NLC policies.

Working to create policy on a national level is something in which Henderson has always been interested. “I’ve always expressed an interest in doing something beyond the local level,” Henderson said. “I spent the last year working on the Human Development Committee at the state level, and now I have the opportunity to do even more for my community while I serve on the national level.”

While working on the federal level is exciting for Henderson, she said her heart remains in Troy. “I see this as an opportunity to really make a contribution to my constituents,” Henderson said. “It shows that I am willing to participate in government on a national level. It gives me the opportunity to learn more about government, to advocate for my constituents, to help my constituents to survive and thrive and maybe to even speak before Congress.”

Henderson said her appointment should also benefit the City of Troy. “I think the appointment will be good for Troy because it gives the city that chance to provide input in to the policies that the NLC adopts,” Henderson said. “ I will be helping to establish policies and proposals that will affect the everyday citizen in Troy and around the country.”

For the duration of her appointment to the committee, Henderson will continue to serve in her capacity as a councilwoman. “The appointment to the committee is for one year,” Henderson said. “I have been appointed for 2014, and I have the option to be reappointed for the following year.”