[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 107 (Friday, August 5, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS WEEK

  Mrs. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Post Office and Civil Service be discharged from further 
consideration of the Senate Joint Resolution (S.J. Res. 153) to 
designate the week beginning on November 21, 1993, and ending on 
November 27, 1993, and the week beginning on November 20, 1994, and 
ending on November 26, 1994, as ``National Family Caregivers Week,'' 
and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate joint resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Virginia?
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I just want 
to acknowledge that the gentlewoman from Maine [Ms. Snowe] is the prime 
sponsor of this resolution. We have no objections to it. This 
resolution is important. With National Family Caregivers Week, to be 
designated in November, family caregivers have become so very 
important, and particularly as we look at health care reform, I know I 
for one am a long-distance caregiver. Many others are caring for other 
members of their families and should be saluted.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Post Office and 
Civil Service Committee for bringing this resolution, National Family 
Caregivers Week, to the House floor.
  At Thanksgiving we traditionally take time to be with our families. 
Therefore, it is appropriate that National Family Caregivers Week, 
which has been recognized for 6 years, is celebrated over Thanksgiving 
Week.
  National Family Caregivers Week allows us to recognize the care and 
devotion the estimated 17 million family caregivers show each and every 
day. They are responsible for two-thirds of the home care provided in 
this country at an enormous cost savings to our health care system. 
They also provide between 80 and 90 percent of the medical care, 
household maintenance, transportation, and shopping needed by older 
persons. More importantly, they allow their loved one to maintain their 
independence, their dignity and their self-respect--three items on 
which no cost can be placed.
  Some may wonder just who these caregivers are. They are our friends, 
our neighbors, and our coworkers. They are the adult child of an aged 
parent, the well spouse of an ill or disabled spouse, the parents of a 
child with an illness or disability, a friend or a companion.
  Numerous studies have found that family caregivers give up their 
jobs, have reduced their working hours, or have rejected promotions in 
order to provide long-term care to loved ones. In fact, last year the 
GAO issued a report I had requested on family caregivers in the 
workplace. The report noted that 2 million caregivers work and provide 
significant unpaid care to elderly or disabled relatives. In addition, 
6 million more employed persons have parents or spouses who are 
disabled and may also need assistance with these activities.
  Caregivers are in great need of our support. They give their money, 
their time, and their love in order to allow their family member to 
have a more comfortable and independent life. While such commitment to 
a family member offers many rewards, many caregivers often find 
themselves under a great deal of pressure in their attempt to juggle 
the competing demands of their immediate families, their careers, and 
their own personal needs.
  It is appropriate that we consider this resolution as we stand ready 
to take up health care reform. I hope that this resolution will serve 
as a reminder that we need to work harder to enhance the home care 
programs, respite and support groups available in order to assist those 
who take on the challenge of caregiving. In addition, as the population 
ages, the pressing need for caregiving will increase. Through improved 
public-private partnerships, eldercare, tax credits, and expanded 
family medical leave policies, I believe that we may begin to address 
the seriousness of caregivers' concerns.
  Mr. Speaker, I am glad that we can once again celebrate our Nation's 
caregivers during National Family Caregivers Week.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of Senate 
Joint Resolution 153, National Family Caregivers Week.
  Family caregivers not only fulfill a functional need in our society, 
but moreover they provide care that serves to reinforce the family 
structure in our society. Unfortunately, my colleagues in the Congress 
have been discouraged to witness the deterioration of this structure 
lately. The family plays an integral part in the perpetuation of 
values, high standards, morals, and sound judgment.
  I believe we all know the value of a loving, caring family. These 
caregivers go beyond the normal responsibilities to family and offer 
help to loved ones who are frail and disabled. This selfless offering 
is commendable indeed.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be a cosponsor of National Family 
Caregivers Week and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
measure.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the Senate Joint resolution, as follows:

                             S.J. Res. 153

       Whereas the number of Americans who are age 65 or older is 
     growing dramatically, with an unprecedented increase in the 
     number of frail elderly age 85 or older:
       Whereas approximately 5,200,000 older persons have 
     disabilities that leave them in need of help with their daily 
     tasks, including food preparation, dressing, and bathing;
       Whereas families provide help to older persons with such 
     tasks, in addition to providing between 80 and 90 percent of 
     the medical care, household maintenance, transportation and 
     shopping needed by older persons;
       Whereas 80 percent of disabled elderly persons receive care 
     from their family members, most of whom are their wives, 
     daughters, and daughters-in-law, who often must sacrifice 
     employment opportunities to provide such care;
       Whereas family caregivers are often physically and 
     emotionally exhausted from the amount of time and stress 
     involved in caregiving activities, and therefore need 
     information about available community resources for respite 
     care and other support services;
       Whereas the contributions of family caregivers help 
     maintain strong family ties and assure support among 
     generations; and
       Whereas there is a need for greater public awareness of and 
     support for the care that family caregivers are providing 
     older persons: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That the week 
     beginning on November 21, 1993 and ending on November 27, 
     1993, and the week beginning on November 20, 1994 and ending 
     on November 26, 1994, are each designated ``National Family 
     Caregivers Week'', and the President is authorized and 
     requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of 
     the United States to observe such weeks with appropriate 
     programs, ceremonies, and activities.


                    amendment offered by mrs. byrne

  Mrs. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker. I offer an amendment.
  The clerk read as follows:

       Amendment offered by Mrs. Byrne:
       Page 2, beginning on line 3, strike ``the week beginning on 
     November 21, 1993 and ending on November 27, 1993, and''.
       Page 2, line 6, strike ``are each'' and insert ``is''.
       Page 2, line 9, strike ``weeks'' and insert ``week''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the amendment offered by 
the gentlewoman from Virginia [Mrs. Byrne].
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The Senate joint resolution was ordered to be read a third time, was 
read the third time, and passed.


                 title amendment offered by mrs. byrne

  Mrs. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment to the title.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Title amendment offered by Mrs. Byrne: Amend the title so 
     as to read: ``Joint Resolution to designate the week 
     beginning on November 20, 1994, and ending on November 26, 
     1994, as `National Family Caregivers Week'.''.

  The title amendment was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________