Bennett, Hon. Charles E., a Representative in Congress from the Buck, James M., manager, retirement division, Florida Development Celebrezze, Hon. Anthony J., Secretary, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; accompanied by Dr. Ellen Winston, Com- missioner of Welfare; Dr. Donald P. Kent, Director, Office of Aging; and Wilbur J. Cohen, Assistant Secretary - Cramer, Hon. William C., a Representative in Congress from the 215 245 Donahue, Dr. Wilma, chairman of the division of gerontology, In- stitute for Human Adjustment, the University of Michigan, member of Michigan Commission on Aging--- Edelman, John W., acting president, National Council of Senior Fitch, William C., executive director, American Association of Retired Fogarty, Hon. John E., a Representative in Congress from the State Gallagher, Monsignor Raymond J., secretary, National Conference of Hartung, Dr. Ernest W., vice president and provost of the University Lourie, Norman, deputy director, Pennsylvania Department of Public O'Brien, James C., executive director, Committee on Older and Retired Workers, United Steelworkers of America; accompanied by Joseph McDonald, legislative representative of Steelworkers of Odell, Charles E., coordinator, UAW older and retired workers 138 Bechill, William, executive secretary, and Mrs. A. M. G. Russell, chairman, Citizens' Advisory Committee on Aging, State of Cali- LIL Prepared statements, letters, supplemental material, etc.-Continued Celebrezze, Hon. Anthony J., Secretary, Department of Health, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Welfare Admin- istration, Office of Aging (chart). President's Council on Aging (chart). Selected References on Aging, April 1963, issue.. "The Older American," publication by President's Council on Cook, Miss Lorraine, commissioner, State of Utah Department of Donahue, Dr. Wilma, chairman of the division of gerontology, Insti- tute for Human Adjustment, the University of Michigan, member of Michigan Commission on Aging, prepared statement by.. Edelman, John W., acting president, National Council of Senior 'Gallagher, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Raymond J., secretary, National Con- Harger, Mrs. Eone, director, New Jersey Division on Aging, testi- Hartung, Dr. Ernest W., vice president and provost, University of Lazenby, Rev. Canon Herbert C., president, American Association of Homes for the Aging, letter to Chairman Dent, dated September 12, McNamara, Hon. Pat, a U.S. Senator from the State of Michigan, Mulvey, Dr. Mary C., honorary president and board member of "Our Life Span Increases and With It Our Problems," editorial in the Woolf, Hayvis, O.D., American Optometric Association, statement of 252 260 259 251 186 191 ADMINISTRATION OF AGING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1963 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON EDUCATION OF THE The subcommittee met at 10 a.m., pursuant to notice, in room 429, Cannon Building, Hon. John H. Dent (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. Present: Representatives Dent, Daniels, Carey, Hawkins, Bruce, and Martin. Also present: Dr. John C. Muntone, director, Select Subcommittee on Education. Mr. DENT. The hearings of the Select Committee on Education will come to order. The hearings this morning are on H.R. 7957, introduced by the gentleman from Rhode Island, Mr. Fogarty; a bill to provide assistance in the development of new or improved programs to help older persons, for grants to the States, for community planning and services through research and development or training project grants, and to establish within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an operating agency, et cetera. In May of 1962, there was established, by Executive order, the President's Council on Aging. The Council was charged with the task of reporting annually to the President and of making available information of interest to private and public organizations which are concerned primarily with the problems of the aging. In transmitting its first report in May of this year the Council called attention to the situation of some 18 million Americans who collectively share the problems of "the older American." It would appear that the figure "18 million" is of special significance when one realizes that included in this group are Three ex-Presidents. Nearly 10 percent of the Nation's population. Nearly 12 million people living on farms. More than 3 million people who migrated from Europe to the Surely, there must be many among this vast segment of our citizens who have contributed significantly to the position we now enjoy in the family of nations. And, yet, we learn from the work of private and public agencies that the older American, who has given so much of himself in the development of this great country, may not be sharing proportionately in the very greatness he has passed on to us. 1 It was the purpose of these hearings to gather all possible information relating to the problems of the aging so that we of the Select Subcommittee on Education, and subsequently, the Committee on Education and Labor, may present to the House such legislation as is necessary and appropriate to aiding this vast number of older Americans in their quest to lead a more active, functional, and independent life. At the same time, we hope to look closely at the needs for special assistance for those in this group who are dependent or otherwise at a disadvantage. To aid us in our task we have called upon a number of highly qualified witnesses representing a variety of groups having particular interest in the issue before us. This bill, H.R. 7957, is accompanied by 13 other bills on the same subject and almost identical in nature and content. (The bill follows:) [H.R. 7957, 88th Cong., 1st sess.] A BILL To provide assistance in the development of new or improved programs to help older persons through grants to the States for community planning and services and for training, through research, development, or training project grants, and to establish within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an operating agency to be designated as the "Administration of Aging" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Older Americans Act of 1963". TITLE I-DECLARATION OF OBJECTIVES: DEFINITIONS DECLARATION OF OBJECTIVES FOR OLDER AMERICANS SEC. 101. The Congress hereby finds and declares that, in keeping with the traditional American concept of the inherent dignity of the individual in our democratic society, the older people of our Nation are entitled to, and it is the joint and several duty and responsibility of the Governments of the United States and of the several States and their political subdivisions to enable our older people to secure equal opportunity to the full and free enjoyment of the following objectives: (1) An adequate income in retirement in accordance with the American standard of living. (2) The best possible physical and mental health which medical science can make available and without regard to economic status. (3) Suitable housing, independently selected, designed, and located with reference to special needs and available at costs which older citizens can afford. (4) Full restorative services for those who require institutional care. (5) Opportunity for employment with no discriminatory personnel practices because of age. (6) Retirement in health, honor, dignity-after years of contribution to the economy. (7) Pursuit of meaningful activity within the widest range of civic, cultural, and recreational opportunities. (8) Efficient community services which provide social assistance in a coordinated manner and which are readily available when needed. (9) Immediate benefit from proven research knowledge which can sustain and improve health and happiness. (10) Freedom, independence, and the free exercise of individual initiative in planning and managing their own lives. DEFINITIONS SEC. 102. For the purposes of this Act- (1) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare; (2) The term "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Administration of Aging. (3) The term "State" includes the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico; and (4) The term "nonprofit institution or organization" means an institution or organization which is owned and operated by one or more corporations or associations no part of the net earnings of which inures, or may lawfully inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. TITLE II-ADMINISTRATION OF AGING ESTABLISHMENT OF ADMINISTRATION SEC. 201. (a) There is hereby established within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an Administration to be known as the Administration of Aging (hereinafter referred to as the "Administration"). (b) The Administration shall be under the direction of a Commissioner of Aging to be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. FUNCTIONS OF OFFICE SEC. 202. It shall be the duty and function of the Administration to (1) serve as a clearinghouse for information related to problems of the aged and aging; (2) assist the Secretary in all matters pertaining to problems of the aged and aging; (3) administer the grants provided by this Act; (4) develop plans, conduct and arrange for research and demonstration programs in the field of aging; (5) provide technical assistance and consultation to States and political subdivisions thereof with respect to programs for the aged and aging; (6) prepare, publish, and disseminate educational materials dealing with the welfare of older persons; (7) gather statistics in the field of aging which other Federal agencies are not collecting; and (8) stimulate more effective use of existing resources and available services. TITLE III-GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING, SERVICES, AND TRAINING AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS SEC. 301. There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1964, $8,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1965, and $12,500,000 for each of the next three fiscal years, for grants by the Secretary to States for projects for (1) community planning and coordination of programs for carrying out the purposes of this title; (2) demonstrations of programs or activities which are particularly valuable in carrying out such purposes; (3) training of special personnel needed to carry out such programs and activities; and (4) establishment of new or expansion of existing programs to carry out such purposes, including establishment of new or expansion of existing centers providing recreational and other leisure time activities, and informational, health, welfare, counseling, and referral services for older persons and assisting such persons in providing volunteer community or civic services; except that no costs of construction, other than for minor alterations and repairs, shall be included in such establishment or expansion. ALLOTMENTS SEC. 302. (a) (1) From the sum appropriated for a fiscal year under section 301 (A) the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa shall be allotted an amount equal to one-half of 1 per centum of such sum and (B) each other State shall be allotted an amount equal to 1 per centum of such sum. (2) From the remainder of the sum so appropriated for a fiscal year each State shall be allotted an additional amount which bears the same ratio to |