[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 24, 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

                                 ______


                               speech of

                        HON. MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 1994

  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 176, a concurrent resolution to recognize and 
encourage the convening of a national silver haired congress.
  As the chairman of the House Human Resources Subcommittee which has 
jurisdiction over the Older Americans Act, I am fully aware of the 
myriad of concerns facing the growing ranks of America's seniors, and I 
am not alone.
  Just last December, the President signed H.R. 3161 the Older 
Americans Act Technical Amendments of 1993 into law.
  That legislation, which I sponsored in the House, created the 
position of Assistant Secretary for Aging in law. In doing so, clearly 
Congress and the administration recognize the growing importance and 
influence of older Americans on many of the issues facing cities, 
States, and the Federal Government today in the way they deal with the 
aging population.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution, cosponsored by 57 members of the House 
of Representatives from both sides of the aisle, would authorize no tax 
dollars, but would encourage a grass roots approach to issues facing 
our growing population of senior citizens.
  Seniors in 24 States have organized State silver haired legislatures 
since 1973.
  Generally modeled after their State legislatures, these forums have 
provided seniors from all walks of life with the opportunity to come 
together and focus their concerns on the issues facing our graying 
society.
  Silver haired legislatures have compiled ``Elder Legislation'' in 
bill form with an eye on issues like consumer protection, health care, 
insurance, crime prevention, and housing.
  Through a national silver haired congress, a national, grassroots 
senior citizen forum will be established, contributing to a nationwide 
awareness of issues facing the senior population.
  Although designed to raise public awareness of issues facing older 
Americans, the national silver haired congress would promote 
intergenerational understanding by involving civics and government 
classes of local schools in the preparation of ballots, certification 
of candidates, and verification of election results.
  These students will later be involved in the State and regional 
caucuses as the ``senior congressmen'' and ``senior senators'' prepare 
their bills and proposals.
  Mr. Speaker, as someone who has recently joined the ranks of our 
Nation's senior citizens, I support grass roots efforts for older 
Americans such as the silver haired legislatures.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to add that this resolution is not 
about lobbyists in Washington, but about local advocates at the grass 
roots level.
  As Congress has seen to recognize the importance of seniors in 
society, this resolution before the House today recognizes the value of 
local input from older Americans in formulating policy at the Federal 
level.
  Just as State silver haired legislatures have focused the views of 
seniors in State governments, this resolution would encourage the 
creation of a forum for grandmothers and grandfathers to address the 
issues facing the Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Missouri, our distinguished majority 
leader, has introduced this legislation and I wish to thank him for his 
efforts in helping bring this legislation to the floor in a timely 
manner.
  I also wish to thank the ranking minority member of the subcommittee, 
Ms. Molinari, and the ranking minority member of the full committee, 
Mr. Goodling, for their bipartisan support of this resolution.
  I would also like to once again thank my distinguished chairman from 
Michigan, Bill Ford, for his assistance in moving this resolution to 
the floor.
  And to that list of distinguished members, I add my thanks to the 
ranking Democrat on the subcommittee, Mr. Kildee, for managing this 
resolution on the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent 
Resolution 176.

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