[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 23, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S5535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                     RECOGNITION OF LARRY SINCLAIR

 Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, since 1963, the month of May has 
helped the nation focus on the contributions and achievements of 
America's older citizens. Fewer people over the age of 65 require 
nursing home care and more are living on their own, with little or no 
outside help. Older Americans increasingly redefine modern maturity, 
re-shape cultural boundaries and dispel age-related stereotypes 
associated with getting older. They are leaders in our families, in our 
workplaces and in our communities.
  One of these leaders is a 71-year-old man from Davenport, Iowa. Larry 
Sinclair understands the value of helping others. Through his 
initiative, compassion, and commitment, he has touched the lives of 
many in the Davenport community.
  Originally from Maine, Mr. Sinclair and his wife, Sylvia, moved to 
Davenport in 1959. A 33-year veteran of the Rock Island Arsenal, Mr. 
Sinclair became involved with helping seniors after his retirement. At 
the time, his mother in Maine was suffering from Alzheimer's Disease 
and the distance prevented Mr. Sinclair from helping his sister care 
for her on a regular basis.
  After hearing a presentation at church about respite assistance for 
caregivers, Mr. Sinclair decided it was time to get involved. Although 
he couldn't go to Maine to give his sister the respite she needed, he 
could provide help to caregivers in Davenport. For eight years, Mr. 
Sinclair volunteered up to 10 hours a week to provide relief to 
caregivers in the community. Although he is no longer actively involved 
in the program, he still keeps in touch with several of families that 
he worked with over the years.
  Mr. Sinclair's commitment to seniors in the community has been 
instrumental in the success of one of the few all-volunteer congregate 
meal sites in Iowa. Eleven years ago, Mr. Sinclair helped establish the 
meal site at his church. Every Tuesday, he and his wife spend the their 
day serving a meal to 25-30 seniors. Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair do 
everything from meal pick-up in the morning to clean-up in the 
afternoon. Although Mr. Sinclair has the formal title of meal site 
manager, he gives much of the credit to his wife. He says the two of 
them make a ``pretty good team.''
  Mr. Sinclair also is highly active in the Great River Bend Area 
Agency on Aging. He has been a member of the agency's policy board for 
the past six years, serving as its president last year and vice 
president this year. As an Operation Restore Trust volunteer he makes 
presentations to various senior groups, nursing homes and assisted 
living facilities about Medicare fraud and abuse. He has served as a 
delegate to aging association meetings in Washington, DC, and he is a 
member of the agency's nutrition committee and services committee.
  In 1959, Mr. Sinclair became a charter member of the West Park 
Presbyterian Church and he is still actively involved in serving the 
congregation. Friends know that if they need help, Mr. Sinclair is the 
first one to call. He serves as an elder in the church and chairman of 
the committee that is responsible for programming church activities and 
fundraisers. Mr. Sinclair says he feels it is important for people like 
him, who have the time to help, to do what they can to keep the church 
growing for younger members.
  A devoted family man, Mr. Sinclair has been married to his wife 
Sylvia for 50 years. The couple has three daughters, four grandchildren 
and one great-grandchild. Mr. Sinclair stays physically active by 
walking with his wife three miles a day. In addition, he enjoys golfing 
and biking.
  With all of these activities, Mr. Sinclair's friends sometimes wonder 
if he is one of those people who just can't say no. But, Mr. Sinclair 
refutes that characterization, saying he chooses not to say no because 
he enjoys what he does.
  I want to thank Mr. Sinclair for his contributions to the Davenport 
community. His initiative and compassionate concern for others is an 
example to us all that we should always be willing to help others, no 
matter what our age.

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