[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 138 (Saturday, October 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1975]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 OLDER AMERICANS ACT AMENDMENTS OF 2000

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                               speech of

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 2000

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 782, to 
reauthorize the Older Americans Act.
  I would like to begin by recognizing Chairman Goodling and Ranking 
Member Clay for all of their hard work in producing this legislation. 
Mr. Clay will be missed in this chamber next year.
  I also would like to extend my deep appreciation to Subcommittee 
Chairman McKeon and Ranking Democrat Tierney for their dedication to 
our older Americans.
  Although I believe that this legislation is flawed and still has 
several problems, it is an important bill and Congress can no longer 
allow the important programs served under the OAA to continue without 
authorization.
  Unfortunately, this bill contains new formulas for funding which, in 
the coming years, could shift vitally needed resources away from 
Northeastern urban areas such as my home of New York City.
  Like with the funding formulas used by the VA, the Government tries 
to allocate resources based on new population data, neglecting the 
needs of those who need the most care.
  But while this bill has several problems--problems I hope will be 
worked out in a bipartisan way by the Congress next year, this bill 
also contains a number of important new programs as well.
  This legislation establishes a $125 million caregiver program. This 
creation will help thousands of New York families be able to provide 
for their loved ones in their later years. I salute this new program.
  Additionally, the Committee included a hold harmless provision for 
nutrition programs such as the Meals and Wheels program, which benefits 
so many of my older constituents, particularly in such places like 
Mitchell-Linden in my District.
  This legislation also toughens up the language on a top concern of 
mine--elder abuse. Although I did not have the opportunity to amend 
this legislation with provisions from my bill, the Elderly Protection 
Act (H.R. 1984), to provide for Federal background checks of employed 
caregivers or assistance to train new caregivers to identify signs of 
domestic abuse, I am pleased at the new language.
  This bill increases the severity of committing crimes such as fraud 
and exploitation of the elderly--an all too common occurrence in our 
country.
  In my district, Father Coleman Costello of Walk the Walk is 
establishing a new and innovative center to provide for the abused 
elderly and provide treatment for their abusers. While this bill could 
have gone further to address this hidden crime, it does make positive 
steps.
  I ask welcome the language regarding the senior jobs program in Title 
V of the OAA. Our senior need jobs, but we must ensure that these jobs 
are in their communities and serving their needs as well as the needs 
of the elderly in their neighborhoods.
  All in all, with the problems notwithstanding, I will vote to support 
this legislation as it will provide some new funding streams to New 
York City as well as reauthorize a number of key programs under the 
Older Americans Act.
  Stating that, it is my hope that Congress can revisit some of the 
questionable provisions of this bill in the 107th Congress so that all 
older Americans can fully benefit from the Older Americans Act.

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