[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 142 (Saturday, October 10, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               REAUTHORIZATION OF THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT

 Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, on Friday, October 10th, I 
became a cosponsor of legislation introduced by Senator McCain that 
would reauthorize the Older Americans Act. This Act, established in 
1965, established a series of programs to benefit older Americans. 
Services provided include nutrition, transportation, nursing home 
ombudsmanship, and other senior's rights programs. Needless to say, 
Arkansas, which has over 200,000 senior citizens, has benefitted 
greatly from the services provided through the Older Americans Act. In 
addition, the organizations in Arkansas that have received funding 
through the Act have done an incredible job in reaching out to our 
seniors.
  While the Older Americans Act expired in 1995, its programs have 
widespread support, which has resulted in continued funding. 
Nonetheless, authorization is critical for the long-term stability of 
these programs and for the peace of mind of senior citizens. the McCain 
bill renews the act, without any changes, for a period of 3 years. Let 
me say that, as with any reauthorization, I strongly believe in the 
need for congressional hearings to examine the programs contained 
within the act to ensure that they are working well, efficiently 
serving the needs of seniors, and that any appropriate adjustments in 
funding are made. Regrettably, the Senate Labor and Human Resource 
Committee, on which I serve, has not taken action on any 
reauthorization legislation this year. Until the committee does so, and 
as an indication of my very strong support for the programs contained 
in the Older American Act, I am cosponsoring the McCain bill.
  The Older American Act has improved the quality of life for so many 
of our Nation's elderly, and it will continue to provide vital services 
as the aging population grows. I sincerely hope that the Senate will 
act on legislation to reauthorize this important act soon.
  (At the request of Mr. Daschle, the following statement was ordered 
to be printed in the Record.)

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