[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 20, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1997

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                        HON. MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 1997

  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, for more than three decades, the Older 
Americans Act has been providing our Nation's seniors with the services 
that help them enjoy security, health, and independence. Therefore, it 
is with great pleasure that I introduce the Older Americans Act 
Amendments of 1997, which will update this statute for the 21st century 
and beyond.
  The majority of this legislation is based upon the administration's 
proposal for reauthorization of the Older Americans Act which I 
introduced during the 104th Congress. It includes provisions that grant 
flexibility to States, area agencies on aging, and providers which will 
foster new and creative ways to design and administer services for the 
elderly. This measure also allows for the expansion of cooperative 
partnerships for the identification of local needs and delivery of 
comprehensive services. Most importantly, all this is accomplished with 
a strong commitment to those protections that have and will continue to 
ensure seniors' health and well-being for years to come.
  Despite my support for much of what is contained in the 
administration's proposal there are some areas which I feel warrant 
change and further negotiation. One area in particular concerns the 
future of the Senior Community Services Employment Program [SCSEP]. 
While the administration would transfer the SCSEP to the Administration 
on Aging, the legislation I introduce today retains the program within 
the Department of Labor. While in principle and practice I have 
previously supported various proposals to consolidate and coordinate 
related Federal programs and services, the fact that the SCSEP is 
fundamentally an employment program compels me to support maintaining 
the program within the Labor Department.
  As take up the Older Americans Act reauthorization again this year, I 
look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues on 
both sides of this aisle to fashion bipartisan legislation that 
continues to protect our Nation's seniors.

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