Wiener, Joshua M., Ph.D., Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution; Robert B. Hudson, Ph.D., Professor of Social Welfare Policy, Boston University School of Social Work; Mary Daniels Levy, Executive Direc- tor, York County Area Agency on Aging, York, PA; and Paul Kerschner, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, The National Council on the Ybarra, Vickie, Public Health Nurse, Director of Social Services and Health Education, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic.... Prepared statements, letters, supplemental materials, et cetera: Adams, Sen. Brock, a U.S. Senator from the State of Washington, pre- Bradley, David, Director, National Community Action Foundation, Wash- ington DC, prepared statement of.... Clark, Ernie, Director, Planning and Natural Resources Department, Coeur D'Alene Tribe, Plummer, ID, prepared statement of. DeLaCruz, James, Coordinator, Quinault Senior Citizen Program, Vice Chairman, Washington State Indian Council on Aging, Vice Chairman, National Association of Title VI Grantees, prepared statement of...... Diaz, Michael, Case Manager, Senior Information and Assistance, South- eastern Washington Office of Aging and Long-term Care, prepared George, Georgia, Chairperson, Suquamish Tribe, Suquamish, WA, pre- Hudson, Robert B., Ph.D., Professor of Social Welfare Policy, Boston Jackson, M. Yvonne, Ph.D., Associate Commissioner on Aging, Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs, Ad- ministration on Aging, prepared statement of.. James, Virgil, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakima Indian Nation, prepared statement of.. Kerschner, Paul, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, The National Council on Martinez, Samuel, Director of Program Operations, Washington State Migrant Council, an affiliate of the National Council on La Raza, Nebraska Department on Aging, prepared statement of Olney, Ray Ê., Vice Chairman, Yakima Indian Nation Tribal Council, Chairman, Health, Education, Welfare, Recreation, Youth Activities Pablo, Michael T., Tribal Chairman, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, prepared statement of .. Peppin, Sister Miriam Therese, Doyle Senior Citizens Center, Westchester Perlman, Marilyn, Nutrition Site Manager YM-YWHA, Director, "Y" Senior Canteen, YM-YWHA, Mount Vernon, NY, prepared statement Picard, Gloria M., Program Manager/Director, Colville Indian Area Agency on Aging, Colville Indian Title VII Grant, prepared statement Pintado, Rosetta, President, American Indian Elders, prepared statement Prepared statements, letters, supplemental materials, et cetera Continued Ybarra, Vickie, Public Health Nurse, Director of Social Services and Page 200 284 250 HEARING ON THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1991 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES, New Rochelle, NY. The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:30 a.m., City Hall Council Chambers, 515 North Avenue, New Rochelle, New York, Hon. Matthew G. Martinez, [Chairman], presiding. Members present: Representatives Martinez and Lowey. Chairman MARTINEZ. Good morning. Let me start out by saying that this morning's hearing of the House Subcommittee on Human Resources is called to receive testimony on the Older Americans Act. This is the seventh in a series of hearings that we've held here, in Washington and in other places-not here in Washington, but there in Washington and other places. We're doing these hearings to get as much vital information as we can to revitalize the Older Americans Act which expires in September. The Older Americans Act is a critical support system for many of our Nation's seniors. It provides much needed nutritional service, oftentimes providing the only meal of the day for some individuals, and it also provides employment opportunities and vital support services and legal assistance as well. For these reasons, all of these reasons, when Congress revitalizes the Older Americans Act, it's imperative that we in Congress come to the grass roots to see what the effect of the program has been, and we also need to know if the act is working or not and whether changes are necessary to meet the needs of our senior citizens. I have said before that America is poised on the verge of a golden era, both in a combination of world leadership and democracy and in the growing maturation of our citizens. However, our democracy cannot be whole while individuals such as senior citizens do not have the adequate means to live their daily lives in dignity and self-sufficiency. We must be wise in addressing our citizenry. If we are successful in meeting this challenge, we can then say that the democracy has been achieved by yielding the richest harvest of human fulfillment that we can have within our own shores. America then can truly be an example for other nations to emulate. Let's start not only by ensuring the Older Americans Act is renewed, but by issuing the challenge to Congress and the administration that the act, in fact, must be expanded to fulfill the promise (1) of the original intent of Congress. Monies and a clear commitment of aggressive outreach and service must be instilled within the mission of the Older Americans Act. For all these vital reasons, we must encourage Congress to substantially expand the resources for the Older Americans Act. The core program at this time is barely able to keep pace with senior citizen service demands. To meet these burgeoning demands, we need to help the community and officials to fight for the expansion of the program, monies and services. Failure to expand resources is an abandonment of our senior citizens. Service groups will resort to smoke and mirror gimmicks to fix the problem, with dubious assurance that the senior committee will not be harmed or that these gimmicks will solve the deeper problem of inadequate funds. The Older Americans Act is a unique act with an open door for anyone, regardless of income and background. In the past 26 years of the act, the citizens have never been required to disclose their income or private services in order to be served under the act, and we must resist the temptation to do so now in an era of deficit budget. Funding explanation can be obtained. A comprehensive strategy of major appropriations increase, enhanced creative fundraising efforts from private and public sources and voluntary contribution from client and families offer solid options. With help from the senior community, the caring public and officials, we can achieve that without losing the heart and soul of the Older Americans Act. I'm very pleased to be in the district of a very distinguished member of Congress and a member of the Education and Labor Committee, Congresswoman Nita Lowey. The support of New York and the Westchester community for the subcommittee's efforts to convince others in Congress and the administration to reform and revitalize the Older Americans program is critical to the success of the program, and I look forward to hearing the witnesses today. At this time, I would like to turn to my esteemed colleague for any opening statement she might have. Mrs. LowEY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to welcome you to Westchester County and to express my sincere appreciation that you have taken your very precious time to come here to hear the viewpoints of local experts on the Older Americans Act. I also want to thank our distinguished seniors in the audience and our panelists, and in particular our counsel member Linda Levine for being here today. I am very appreciative. Under your leadership, Mr. Chairman, this subcommittee has already held a series of important and thought-provoking hearings on the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. It provides essential services to our Nation's elderly citizens. I think all of us present here today understand that the Older Americans Act has been particularly successful in meeting the needs of our elderly citizens, but we cannot afford to be complacent. The number of elderly Americans continues to grow, and their needs for comprehensive services continues to grow. It is absolutely essential that we act during this reauthorization process to strengthen the Older Americans Act and to authorize the full level |