[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 36 (Wednesday, March 19, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E511]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT NUTRITION PROGRAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRANK RIGGS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 19, 1997

  Mr. RIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to commend 
the Older Americans Act nutrition programs for 25 years of providing 
nutritious meals to senior citizens.
  Saturday, March 22, 1997, marks the 25th anniversary of the signing 
of the law authorizing the nutrition programs under the Older Americans 
Act.
  While nutrition assistance is but one of many services provided to 
senior citizens through the Older Americans Act, it is one of the most 
successful in helping senior citizens live long, healthy, productive 
lives.
  Without this nutrition assistance, many seniors would be forced out 
of their homes and into nursing homes. For senior citizens no longer 
able to prepare meals in their home, the in-home meals program, often 
known as Meals on Wheels, assures they receive nutritional meals. 
Coupled with other in-home services, this program allows seniors to 
remain in their local community with friends and family and not be 
forced prematurely into a nursing home setting.
  For senior citizens who are not homebound, the congregate meals 
program offers them meals in a setting with other seniors, allowing 
them to socialize with other seniors and participate in a variety of 
other activities.
  I am certain the millions of senior citizens that benefit from these 
programs each year join me in paying tribute to this successful 
program. The fact that they voluntarily contribute to the cost of their 
meals is a sure sign that the program is providing them with meals that 
are not only healthy and nutritious, but appealing as well.
  Because of the importance of these programs that serve our Nation's 
elderly, I am particularly looking forward to working on the 
authorization of the Older Americans Act this year. It is my intent to 
pass legislation that improves services to seniors and helps them live 
fuller, more active lives. We want to improve services by making sure 
that funds are being sent where they are needed the most, by increasing 
flexibility for State and local programs and by helping to improve the 
quality of all programs under the act. These vital programs help keep 
many of our Nation's seniors healthy and strong and I look forward to 
working with my colleagues on this issue.

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