[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 3, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                OLDER AMERICANS ACT REAUTHORIZATION BILL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 1999

  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, the Older Americans Act has been 
reauthorized 12 times since its enactment in 1965. However, this 
historically bipartisan initiative, which provides vital services to 
millions of needy seniors across the country, has been held hostage to 
partisan politics the last several years and as such, has not been 
authorized since 1995. However, I hold much hope for its 
reauthorization during the 106th Congress.
  Last week, I joined my colleagues--Mr. Clay, Mr. Goodling, Mr. 
McKeon, and Mr. Barrett--in introducing a bipartisan Older Americans 
Act reauthorization bill. This bill, I am confident, is the first step 
in a joint process to strengthen and improve the Older Americans Act.
  Although I do not doubt that Members will have differences of opinion 
as we proceed with the process of reauthorizing the many programs and 
services provided under the Older Americans Act, I am encouraged by 
this very bipartisan beginning and by the commitment demonstrated thus 
far to working through those differences keeping the best interest of 
those who are served by the Act--the seniors--in the forefront.

                          ____________________