[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 199 (Thursday, December 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2370-E2371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           OPENING OF EVERGREEN COURT SENIOR HOUSING PROJECT

                                 ______


                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 14, 1995

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, as of tomorrow, Bergen County will be a 
better place to live. Our community's quality of life will take another 
step forward when the Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff cuts the 
ribbon and lays the cornerstone on its new 33-unit supportive senior 
housing project at Evergreen Court. For more than a few people 
participating in the ceremony, this marks the culmination of a long 
time dream of the Christian health care community.
  We are all very much aware that New Jersey has more senior citizens 
than just about every other State in the Union. Indeed, the number of 
Americans over age 65 is the fastest growing segment of our population. 
With Evergreen Court, the Christian Health Care Center is adapting to 
meet the needs of our community.
  This is an innovative independent living project that allows our 
older neighbors to maximize the enjoyment and vitality of their later 
years. From my long work in senior housing and health care reform, I 
know that independent living enhances the quality of life and 

[[Page E2371]]
allows older citizens to continue to contribute and enjoy a community 
of their peers.
  And this is truly a community effort. The county of Bergen provided 
over $1 million through funds provided by U.S. Department of Housing 
and Urban Development's Home Program. This Federal-county partnership 
funding included a challenge that the private sources match the funds. 
Of course, our community responded as it always does, with generous 
donations and the support of NatWest Bank.
  On this occasion, the words of former Vice President and Senator 
Hubert Humphrey come to mind: ``The moral test of government is how the 
government treats those who are in the dawn of their life, the 
children, and those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly.''
  With this ribbon-cutting, our community and the Christian Health Care 
Center, specifically, is meeting this standard. Moreover, these actions 
should be an example to all civic groups and, I submit, to our national 
leadership.
  In Washington today, we are engaged in a great national debate about 
the quality of life for our children and their children. In fact, this 
may be the defining moment for our generation. We all recognize that we 
can and we must make our government live within its means. But this 
must not be done at the expense of the most vulnerable in our society--
those in the dawn of life and those in the twilight of life.
  We can accomplish historic budget reforms, restore good jobs, create 
a bright future for our children and still show heart to the most needy 
in our society. To do less would be to violate some of the moral 
beliefs we hold most dear.
  Our Lord, Jesus Christ, warned of the consequences of failure to feed 
the hungry, clothe the naked, and care for the sick. ``Inasmuch as ye 
have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done 
it unto me.''
  Mr. Speaker, the Christian Health Care Center is realizing its dream 
today with the formal opening of its Evergreen supportive senior 
housing project. I would urge my colleagues to take note and join me in 
commending the leadership of the center and the citizens of Wyckoff.
  Today, Bergen County is a better place to live because our seniors 
have another place to call home.

                          ____________________