[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 28 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E403-E404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               DeLAURO HONORS SAGE SERVICES OF NEW HAVEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 1997

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, October 25, 1996, Sage Services 
will celebrate its 25th anniversary. The organization serves people 
over the age of 55 with a number of different programs. I am delighted 
to rise today to honor Sage Services and to recognize the important 
work they are doing.
  The mission of Sage Services is twofold. The organization aims to 
enable older people to maintain their independence, to continue to 
develop their skills and abilities, and to help them feel that they are 
valued members of the community. In addition, Sage Services educates 
the community to value older people, to benefit from their 
contributions, and to understand and address the concerns and issues 
older people face.
  Sage Services provides a number of valuable job training and job 
placement programs. The organization is committed to keeping the skills 
older people possess up to date. For example, several computer training 
classes are offered which teach word processing, keyboarding and data 
base, and spread sheet skills. I can imagine that it gives participants 
a great deal of self-confidence and self-esteem to be able to keep up 
with the information age and the proliferation of computers.
  Sage Services also offers all sorts of job placement programs. Older 
people are hired by local businesses for everything from office work to 
repairs and maintenance work. I am so pleased to see local businesses 
working with the organization because older people have so much to 
offer. If we do not reach out to them we are losing a great resource. 
Their talents, abilities and experiences remain relevant to the job 
market and it is to our advantage to tap this resource.
  In addition to these great programs, Sage Services links older people 
with all sorts of services and assistance. I am impressed with the Sage 
Home Share Program which helps people remain in their homes by putting 
them in touch with someone who is in need of housing. Older people 
receive companionship and assistance and those sharing housing are able 
to find reasonably priced housing. I think this program goes to the 
heart of what Sage Services is all about; people helping each other. 
Sage Services keeps the idea that we are all family and we are all 
responsible for each other at the heart of everything it does.

[[Page E404]]

  I am proud to have this opportunity to congratulate Sage Services and 
to recognize all those who work there or volunteer their time to 
helping others. They are truly making an incredible difference in the 
lives of so many people. Sage Services is a remarkable organization and 
I commend everyone involved for making it such a success and for 
ensuring that our older citizens remain active, independent, and that 
they are valued by the community.

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