[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 136 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT

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                           HON. MARION BERRY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 2, 1998

  Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of programs funded 
through the Older Americans Act including congregate meals, home 
delivered meals and supportive services. These programs are of vital 
importance to the First Congressional District of Arkansas.
  In the ten county area of North Central Arkansas over 100 persons are 
on the Home Delivered Meal waiting list due to a lack of federal 
funding. Furthermore, because of a lack of funds, two County Aging 
Programs consisting of 15 Senior Centers now operate only four days per 
week.
  The Older Americans Act has not received substantial increases in 
almost a decade--local Senior Centers now have to do fund-raising to 
provide at least 30 percent of their budgets. Local communities, 
particularly those in rural areas, can only generate a small portion of 
the funding needed.
  With the expected rise in the older population, the demand for 
services is expected to double over the next 15 years. An increase in 
federal funding is urgently needed.
  I urge my colleagues to support an 8 percent increase to support the 
reauthorization of the Older Americans Act contained in H.R. 4344.

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