[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 116 (Friday, September 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NORTHEAST COUNCIL OF SENIOR CITIZENS, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT A. BORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 5, 1997

  Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an organization in 
my district that serves as a unified voice of senior citizens.
  It was 25 years ago this week--on September 13, 1972--that six senior 
citizen clubs gathered for a meeting in which they formed the Northeast 
Council of Senior Citizens, Inc., also known as the Region V, 
Archdiocesan Senior Citizen Council.
  An ecumenical, nonpartisan, organization for senior citizens, their 
mission was simple: to develop programs which would promote the health, 
welfare, spiritual growth, safety and protection of senior citizens in 
northeast Philadelphia.
  Over the past 25 years, the Northeast Council has grown to include 52 
senior citizen clubs with a membership of over 10,000 elderly citizens. 
Its commitment to improving the quality of life for seniors in 
Philadelphia grows stronger each day.
  Mr. Speaker, the Northeast Council of Senior Citizens, Inc. serves as 
a positive role model for older Americans across the country. It 
consistently demonstrates that seniors can gather together, share 
common interests and ideas, and speak in a powerful, unified voice on 
issues important to this large segment of our population.
  The council regularly holds meetings, seminars, brainstorming 
sessions, dinners, picnics, and social events. In addition, the council 
supplies knowledgeable speakers and distributes literature, keeping 
seniors well informed of current issues which directly affect their 
lives. In many ways, the members serve as the eyes, ears and powerful 
voice of the senior community--a voice I listen to frequently.
  The Third Congressional District of Pennsylvania, which I represent, 
is the 20th oldest district, by population, in the country. Over 
100,000 constituents--1 of every 5--is over the age of 65. Issues like 
Social Security, Medicare, nursing homes, and long-term health care are 
of great concern to them and their families.
  An organization like the Northeast Council of Seniors brings our 
elderly citizens together to discuss these crucial issues. Their 
passionate opinions also remind me of the responsibility I have to 
ensure that their concerns are addressed.
  The Northeast Council of Senior Citizens brings together the most 
dedicated and energetic members of our senior community. By uniting the 
most active and energetic seniors who are dedicated to improving the 
quality of life for their fellow men and women, these individuals are 
doing much to dispel stereotypes of the aging community, and 
encouraging people of all ages to be active and involved.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to represent the men and women who 
belong to the Northeast Council of Senior Citizens. I ask you and my 
colleagues to support this commendation and congratulate the Northeast 
Council of Senior Citizens as they observe their 25th anniversary as an 
organization, and join me in wishing them many more years as a positive 
and active force in Philadelphia.

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