[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DANIEL L. LAVER

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 14, 1998

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Daniel L. 
Laver, a long time resident of San Diego, who has recently retired as 
Director of the San Diego County Area Agency on Aging. Mr. Laver leaves 
behind an agency that has become the leader in services to the elderly 
and disabled populations in our county. For almost forty years, Mr. 
Laver gave his all to the County of San Diego and its citizens, often 
times putting his life on hold to meet the challenges and break the 
roadblocks that prevented the agency from providing the highest quality 
services. Several services and products developed under Mr. Laver's 
leadership have been deemed ``Best in Class'' at the local, state and 
national levels. Dan's motto has been: ``If it's good for seniors--do 
it! It It's not--don't.''
  Dan is known for his tenacity in enhancing options for elderly and 
disabled people to remain living independently in their own homes and 
communities and for his creativity in program development and 
management. Highlights of his remarkable career include: building and 
renovating 18 senior centers throughout the county under the Senior 
Center Bond Act of 1984; creating ``Meals on the Move'' which delivers 
hot, nutritious meals to the homebound elderly on holidays, weekends 
and on an emergency basis; expanding the county's case management 
program to embrace younger persons with disabilities, as well as the 
elderly; establishing ``Links-to-Life,'' which provides emergency 
medical identification bracelets for low-income seniors; and helping to 
establish ``Christmas in April,'' which rehabilitates the houses of 
low-income elderly and disabled homeowners.
  Mr. Laver is currently President of the National Association of Area 
Agencies (N4A) on Aging and leads them in their nationwide advocacy. In 
that capacity, he testified on the Older Americans Act before the 
Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families, which I chaired at 
that time. In 1988, he was given N4's highest honor, the Distinguished 
Director Award. He also led the California Association of Area Agencies 
on Aging as its President from 1986 to 1987.
  I commend Dan Laver for making a significant impact on the lives of 
elderly and disabled people in San Diego County and throughout the 
nation.

                          ____________________