[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 18, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       INTRODUCTION OF THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1995

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                        HON. MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 18, 1995
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Older 
Americans Act Amendments of 1995, which is the Clinton administration's 
proposal for the reauthorization of this critical legislation.
  The Older Americans Act celebrates its 30th birthday this year.
  In May of this year, 2,300 delegates to the 1995 White House 
Conference on Aging endorsed the Older Americans Act and stressed the 
importance of this reauthorization in preparing the aging network for 
the 21st century.
  This bill builds on the successes of the Older Americans Act--while 
moving the administration of the act toward the reinvention program 
established under Vice President Gore's director.
  The bill moves toward sensible consolidation of programs and 
streamlining of processes, while providing greater freedom of action by 
the State units on aging and the area agencies on aging.
  However, I should point out that I am not in full agreement with all 
of the provisions of this bill, and I would hope that, during the 
markup in the Economic and Educational Opportunities Committee to 
strengthen any bill in a bipartisan way, to preserve what is now 
perhaps the most successful Government program ever devised.
  I am especially concerned that the bill include provisions that 
encourage local input to annual plans and to the performance objectives 
process, including the holding of open hearings at which local 
providers and local service recipients are encouraged to provide input.
  It is the grassroots nature of these programs that is the strength of 
the Older Americans Act, and any bill we pass must ensure that the kind 
of input now provided in the law is maintained.
  Local input has resulted in programmatic improvements throughout the 
life of the Older Americans Act.
  Local input ensures that those charged with program implementation 
are constantly aware of the need to meet the needs of people, not the 
whims of bureaucrats in Washington, the State house, or city hall.
  I look forward to this reauthorization effort and call upon my fellow 
Members on both sides of the aisle to read and consider this important 
bill, and, if they agree, to cosponsor this bill.
  Thank you Mr. Speaker.
  

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