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to fruition. And, gee, I'm just, as a simple citizen peasant, I'm so pleased, sir, by your attitude of mind that I would like the record to so reflect that.

Mr. HANSEN. Thank you very much, Senator, and thank you also for a very important and valuable contribution to our hearing. Thank

you.

Mr. CAIN. Then you are finished with me?

Mr. BRADEMAS. Thank you very much, indeed Senator Cain, Mrs. McGill and Mr. Simson. We are very grateful to all three of you for having testified.

Mr. CAIN. Those are the people you want to get to know better. We never pay them anywhere close to what they are worth. Because of what they have done, this has been a great establishment.

Mr. BRADEMAS. The Chair would like to observe that we shall now hear from a panel of persons active at the Senior Centers. Following the panel, we propose to break for lunch, and then return to hear three other witnesses.

The following are the members of our next panel: Mr. Rudy Miller, member of the Metropolitan Senior Center. Mr. Miller, are you here? Come up and have a seat.

Mr. Fernando Cervantes, member of the Spanish group of the center, Mrs. Mittie Romero, member of the black group of senior centers, Mr. Leonard Batz, member of the Malcom Ross Center and president of the Inter-Center Presidents Organization, and Mrs. Mattie Brown of the Perrine Service Center.

Yes, come right on up. Now, what the Chair proposes in the interest both of time and affording everyone on the panel an opportunity to be heard, is that we should like to hear from all of you, perhaps in the order in which your names were read. If you would be good enough to summarize as briefly as you can the main points you would like to make, that would enable us to have more time to put questions to you. We are very pleased indeed that you have been willing to give us the benefit of your views on Congressman Pepper's bill and on the program that you have been operating here.

Now, our first witness will be Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller.

STATEMENT OF RUDOLPH MILLER, MEMBER OF THE
METROPOLITAN SENIOR CENTER

Mr. MILLER. The Honorable Chairman, distinguished members of this committee, members of the panel, ladies and gentlemen, I have here a statement prepared by me why we, as senior citizens of the State of Florida, are strongly in need of a Federalized program.

At this time, I would like to digress for just a moment from the statement that I am going to read. In listening to the remarks and comments made by the gentleman representing the Bureau of Aging in the State of Florida, he admits in fact that they have found out, they have learned our needs, our wants. All he has offered us is that they're contemplating doing this; this is something that they propose for the future. He has not told you in a monetary value of any moneys that have been appropriated by the State of Florida for the relief of the plight of the senior citizens. It is my prime conviction that in his remarks to this panel he has stated more ably than I can in my pre

pared statement the need, the great need of a Federalized program for the senior citizens not only in the State of Florida but because of reasons not known to me, these same sentiments, the same actions take place all over the country without them appropriating the small sums of money that are necessary to alleviate some of the plights of the senior citizens.

As I complete this statement in view of some of the remarks and comments made to this distinguished body, I would like to add some opinions of my own. Gentlemen, the statement as I have prepared it:

I, Rudolph Miller, a resident of the Robert King High Towers and an active participating member of the Metropolitan Senior Center, would like to present my views concerning why we as senior citizens are in need of a strong Federalized program to protect the dignity of us older citizens as human beings. The urgent need to provide for future help and assistance so vitally needed to enable us to live out the twilight years of our lives as first-class citizens and not deprived of essentials. An inquiry on your part will show for the record that the State of Florida-if the low-cost meal program proved to be a successwould provide some financial support for the continuation of this

program.

The hot meal program, in my judgment, has achieved an outstanding success and in the judgment of all the people who are familiar with its purpose and intent. When our State government was called upon to appropriate continuing funds, it acknowledged the program was a success, but they felt the responsibility for the continuation of said program was a matter for our county government and shut the door in our face. Our county government, at that time, accepted the responsibility, appropriated a generous sum of money, increased our supervisory staff to the extent that we could enjoy the use of these beautiful facilities for our entertainment and provide a place where we could associate with our friends and neighbors several evenings a week. This privilege is now denied to us due to lack of funds and staff.

The Center as of now operates on a 5-day week schedule, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed on holidays *** and no evening entertainments which we used to have and looked forward to. Our Federal, State and local governments have created these beautiful recreational centers for the senior citizens per se, but because of inadequate funding has severely limited their use which, in my judgment, violates the intent and purpose for which these facilities were intended for.

For the past year we had a very pleasant relationship with our local county government. As usual, in the course of events as the time arrived to renew their appropriations for the years to come, they listened, we pleaded, and the request was denied; the basis for refusal being our program was somewhat discriminatory because it did not provide for senior citizens as a whole, so they slam the door in our face, cut us off without a dime, reducing our supervisory staff to the extent that we are now reduced to the level where we no longer have full use of these beautiful facilities and, in effect, declared the luncheon program dead.

This placed us in a destitute position, forcing us to bring our problems to the general public, begging, pleading, and asking for financial

support to enable us to carry on this vital necessary program. The response was most generous. The public, all news media, and many fraternal organizations, and individuals responded, because they believed that our low-cost hot meal program was human, just, and essential to many. To all those people who were so understanding, so generous in their donations, so deeply concerned about the welfare of the senior citizens, I express to you on behalf of all of us our deepest gratitude and our sincere thanks. We never forget our friends.

The public response was most generous, although the expenditures required to conduct a successful program was never fully realized as no provisions were made to compensate the many persons required to maintain the kitchen help and service, and many in our group are physically disabled to go through a line, cafeteria style. This problem is now being solved within our membership, volunteered by a gallant group of ladies who are to be highly commended for their services, 5 days a week, from 2 to 3 hours a day. Without their help and assistance, it would be impossible to carry on the program. Some of these ladies are in their seventies, one over 80. God bless them.

Some of the basic reasons for the successful food program are the ingredients which are of good quality, the preparation excellent, the distribution equitable. Under our present operation we are continually faced with a terminal date. No funds. *** No hot meals.

For the record I would like to submit the following statistics given to me, at my request, with reference to the general level of income of the residents of the Robert King High Towers, a housing project, by Mrs. Helen Lewis, whose official title is housing manager, with her consent to present to this committee. Mrs. Lewis has in excess of 1,000 units under her direct supervision. Regardless of the amount of income, everybody is required by law to pay the minimum amount of $30 per month as individuals or couples whose income does not exceed $150 per month. Those persons receiving in excess of $150 per month are on a graduated basis.

Here are some of the statistics, gentlemen:

Number of residents at present is 365; and 225 of these residents, because of their low income, pay the required minimum of $30 per month. Ninety-five of these residents are on welfare, receiving less than $100 per month as individuals; couples on welfare receiving less than $150; which leaves 140 individuals with income in excess of $150 per month. Mrs. Lewis has informed me that this is the approximate income of all units under her direction. This group includes many

veterans.

***

Because of the plight of these senior citizens *** because our State government has disowned us *** because our local government has divorced us we are out on a limb with the "powers that be" sawing and chopping away. Our experience in the past has taught us that we no longer can depend on States or local aid, clearly demonstrated by their refusal to accept their responsibilities and leaving us no alternative but to turn to the Federal Government for the aid and assistance so desperately needed just to survive.

Gentlemen, knowing of the deficiency and the needs of the senior citizen, his despair, his bleak outlook for the future, and humble attitude, you must realize that his only hope lies in a strong federalized program with equitable treatment for all. The urgency is great * * the need is now.

Mr. BRADEMAS. Thank you very much, sir.

Mr. MILLER. Mr. Chairman, please, I assume there's considerable concern in the minds of the committee and in the minds of people who have just listened to me as to how these people survive. Believe me, I'll tell you how they survive, ask the old man when was the last time that he purchased a new suit of clothes; ask the little lady of the house the last time she was able to purchase a new dress; ask why the majority of the residents cannot afford or purchase the daily newspapers; ask them the last time they went to a movie on their own; ask them about their shopping habits, surplus foods; ask us about our immediate needs.

They're able to provide for their clothes-if you come with me on a shopping spree as you all know we have the Salvation Army, the Goodwill Industries, other fraternal organizations that are set up; beg and plead for clothes that are discarded, by people who no longer need it or want it. And these agencies mend these clothes and clean these clothes, and some of these clothes are in remarkably good shape. That's where you'll find the senior citizen shopping for the garments that he wears.

As them the last time they went to a movie, they'll tell you "I don't remember." Why, because I-me and my wife in order to go to a movie, there's a bus fare to and from the movie, $1.20, plus the price of admission which in some cases is prohibitive.

Ask them about their shopping habits, you'll find them going to the supermarkets, you'll find them looking at the real nice cuts of meat, you'll find them looking at the price of these commodities, you'll find that they quietly, respectfully put it back and they shop for the cheapest cuts of meat. They go to the part of the counter that disposes hamburger; the prices range from $1.09 a pound to about $0.69 a pound, you'll see them quietly pick up a package of hamburg, with the current prices, $0.69 the cheapest package of meat that they can purchase. All the supermarkets have a counter where they display day old bakery goods. Now, here's all these beautiful baked goods, fresh, that are displayed, but where do they purchase their breadstuffs; that type of needs? They go to this counter that is set aside; used goods, day old goods. This method of shopping enables them to survive.

Now, gentlemen, what about our immediate needs; what do we need as of now? Now, this program that has been introduced to the U.S. Congress by our Congressman, Claude Pepper, whom we dearly admire and we love; we know him to be one of the most compassionate men, one of the most understanding and one of the most helpful to any group within the continental limits of the United States that is in need of assistance. For all he has done for us, we are tremendously grateful.

What are our immediate needs? Our immediate needs are this: What we need immediately, in one hell of a big hurry, is just a little more of what we are receiving at the present time so that in some manner we can offset the spiral inflationary process which is strongly devouring us.

Gentlemen, to the honorable chairman of the committee, to the distinguished members of the committee, I want to sincerely thank you for your patience, your courtesy, and for the privilege of presenting my views. Gentlemen, I thank you.

Mr. BRADEMAS. Thank you very much, Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller, if you like, you can feel free to stay here. We propose to hear from the other four of your colleagues and then we'll put questions to all of you. Mr. MILLER. Mr. Chairman, I'm going to listen with avid attention in the company of Mrs. Miller in the rear of the hall.

Mr. BRADEMAS. I understand. As a bachelor, I understand still better. Our next witness has a most distinguished name, the Chair wants to observe, Mr. Fernando Cervantes, a member of the Spanish group of the Metropolitan Senior Center. (Spanish spoken.)

STATEMENT OF FERNANDO CERVANTES, MEMBER OF THE
SPANISH GROUP, METROPOLITAN SENIOR CENTER

Mr. CERVANTES. (Replied in Spanish to Mr. Brademas.) Ladies and gentlemen, honorable Congressmen, Mr. Chairman, it is a privilege to be appointed to represent the American Latin members; to explain and answer any questions that you would care to ask me.

In the first place, I want to say that the meals are well balanced, nutritious and tasty. The price of 50 cents is really economical. And Mrs. McGill, supervisor of the lunches, is very careful in preparing same and anxious to please all.

Although the Latin people are not accustomed to the American food, they have acquired a taste for same. I hear the people express their appreciation as they leave this dining room and pass by this table-when I'm doing the cashiering.

We hope that this hearing will take into consideration the necessity of these lunches. Thank you.

Mr. BRADEMAS. Thank you very much, Mr. Cervantes. Thank you very much.

Our next witness is Mrs. Mittie Romero, member of the black group at the center. Mrs. Romero.

STATEMENT OF MRS. MITTIE ROMERO, MEMBER OF THE BLACK GROUP, SENIOR CENTERS OF DADE COUNTY, INC.

Mrs. ROMERO. Thank you, sir. To the members

Mr. BRADEMAS. You might take that microphone, Mr. Romero. Just speak right into the microphone. Please go ahead, Mrs. Romero.

Mrs. ROMERO. To the members of this committee, it is good of you to allow me a few minutes so I can give you my ideas on why the lowcost hot meal program should be continued.

First let me say that being of a senior citizen age, I am close to the needs of the elderly in metropolitan population here, within a public housing project. I know how the average old adult lives; what he needs to eat and what he expects socially and fraternally, and what he wants out of life in his retiring years. I can tell you that utmost in his mind he wants to be with people. What he fears is being alone; being ill, unable to provide himself with proper meals. He craves the company of others, the needs of them.

One of the most noble services ever offered the senior citizens is that of the friendly visitors. I visit the home of the elderly people. They are very much depressed. They wish to have someone each and

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