[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 22, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 TRIBUTE TO GREEN THUMB OF NEW ENGLAND

                                 ______


                            HON. DICK SWETT

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 22, 1994

  Mr. SWETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Hire Older 
Worker Week and Green Thumb Inc., of New England. Green Thumb is a 
nonprofit organization which provides job training and employment 
programs for older Americans. It is part of the Senior Community 
Service Employment Program [SCSEP] and is authorized by title V of the 
Older Americans Act of 1965.
  Founded in 1965, Green Thumb was a program originally designed to 
enlist the aid of older Americans in the maintenance and beautification 
of our Nation's parks and highways. Because of the success and 
subsequent expansion of the program, today Green Thumb has over 18,000 
trained older Americans working in a variety of different fields, 
including local government and nonprofit organizations.
  There are many benefits to hiring older workers. They represent all 
racial, religious, and educational backgrounds. They often bring a rich 
and varied employment history to their jobs, as well. Green Thumb helps 
these people--many of whom have recently changed careers and need to 
receive salaries and benefits--to learn new skills and to adapt to new 
or different types of jobs.
  Green Thumb also provides services that are helpful for retirees who 
are not yet receiving Social Security benefits and require the 
financial security that comes with either full- or part-time 
employment. In addition, many older Americans are involved in the work 
force to pursue individual interests, develop new skills, or to use 
their time in a productive way. In short, Green Thumb of New England is 
an effective and extraordinary program.
  The program benefits older Americans by placing them in employment 
and enhancing their general well-being, but it also provides a valuable 
resource to communities throughout New England. More specifically, 
Green Thumb has placed workers in many organizations in my district, 
including the Boys Club of Nashua, the Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation 
Center in Greenfield, the Harris Center for Conservation and Education, 
the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of 
Employment Services, and numerous libraries.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Green 
Thumb of New England and wishing them continued success in improving 
the lives of senior citizens across northern New England.

                          ____________________