[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 65 (Monday, May 23, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
IN RECOGNITION AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE CONVENING OF A NATIONAL SILVER 
                            HAIRED CONGRESS

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 176) to recognize and encourage the 
convening of a national silver haired Congress.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 176

       Whereas many States have encouraged and facilitated the 
     creation of senior citizen legislative and advocacy bodies;
       Whereas in creating such bodies these States have provided 
     many older Americans the opportunity to express concerns, 
     promote appropriate interests, and advance the common good by 
     influencing legislation and actions of State government; and
       Whereas a National Silver Haired Congress, with 
     representatives from each State, would provide a national 
     forum for a nonpartisan evaluation of grassroots solutions to 
     concerns shared by an increasing number of older Americans: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress hereby recognizes and 
     encourages the convening of an annual National Silver Haired 
     Congress in the City of Washington, District of Columbia.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Michigan [Mr. Kildee] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Barrett] will be recognized for 20 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Kildee].
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 
176 which calls for the convening of a national silver haired Congress.
  Currently, seniors in 24 States have the opportunity to participate 
in silver haired legislatures.
  These forums enable seniors from all walks of life to convene in the 
form of a legislative body to discuss issues of importance to them.
  By forming these legislative bodies seniors have the opportunity to 
research and discuss important issues, and develop legislative 
solutions.
  Through this process elderly persons not only focus attention on the 
needs of the elderly, but also gain a greater understanding of the 
legislative process.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank Mr. Gephardt for introducing this 
legislation and for his leadership on issues affecting the elderly.
  I also want to thank Mr. Martinez, chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Human Resources and Ms. Molinari, ranking Republican of that 
subcommittee, for their important contributions to improving the lives 
of the elderly.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the passage of House concurrent resolution 
176--a sense of the Congress to recognize and encourage the convening 
of a national silver haired Congress.
  This legislation recognizes that, for two decades, silver haired 
legislatures have convened in 24 States, including my State of 
Nebraska, to provide a nonpartisan forum to discuss issues of concern 
to senior Americans, such as consumer protection, health care, crime 
prevention, and many other similar issues.
  These mock Congresses have been very successful in allowing senior 
citizens to voice their views on these important issues.
  This legislation, of which I am a cosponsor, expresses the sense of 
the Congress that a similar silver haired Congress should be convened 
on the national level.
  It should probably also be noted that this legislation does not 
authorize any public funds for the creation of such a Congress.
  Again, I support suspending the rules and passing this concurrent 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Kildee] that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, House concurrent resolution 
176.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof), the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________