[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 68 (Friday, May 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E866-E867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RHODE ISLAND'S SENIORS CENTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 2004

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, almost 60 years ago, the 
nation's first senior center opened in New York, marking the beginning 
of the senior center movement. Today, almost 10 million older Americans 
participate in senior centers across the country. In my district alone, 
the First District of Rhode Island, we are fortunate to have 24 senior 
centers. I visit these centers often, and when I do,

[[Page E867]]

I am continually impressed by the dedicated directors and staff who 
work to make these facilities welcoming to all members of the 
community.
  This week is National Senior Center Week, and the theme is ``Senior 
Centers on the Move!'' I cannot think of a better phrase to describe 
the seniors in Rhode Island. Senior centers give them the opportunity 
to get out of the house to attend exercise classes, computer seminars, 
dances, Feng Shui demonstrations, and hundreds of other activities. 
Some senior centers even sponsor overnight trips to neighboring cities. 
Many centers promote health and wellness beyond exercise classes, by 
bringing physicians and nurses to the centers for office hours. By 
hosting seminars on healthy living and the management of chronic 
illnesses, like diabetes, these centers are enhancing the lives of 
seniors and their families.
  Rhode Island's seniors centers, and the centers around the Nation, 
are one stop centers for seniors and their families to get the care 
they need, both physically and emotionally. Whether you go to get your 
blood pressure checked, take an exercise class, or meet a neighbor for 
lunch, the senior center's staff welcomes you like family. I would like 
to congratulate Rhode Island's senior centers, and all senior centers, 
on National Senior Centers Week, and their directors and staff who work 
to bring the most up-to-date activities to the seniors community. The 
commitment of the directors and staff is commendable and I would like 
to take this opportunity to thank them for their dedication and for 
working to sustain the heart of our communities.
  I would like to recognize the following Senior Center Directors in 
the First District of Rhode Island:
  Debra Diniz, Barrington Senior Center;
  Rita Ayers-Gaulin, Bristol Senior Center; Mary Luz, YMCA Community 
Center; Lori Gagnon, Cumberland Senior Center; Bob Rock, East 
Providence Senior Center; Charlotte Richardson, Jamestown Senior 
Center; Lois Durkin, Lincoln Senior Center; Marjory O'Toole, Little 
Compton Community Center; Arlene Kaull, Middletown Senior Center; David 
Dean, Edward King House.
  Pauline Moye', Florence Cray Center; Amanda Leinhos, Martin Luther 
King, Jr. Center; Karen Testa, Salvatore Mancini Center; Joan Crawley, 
Leon Mathieu Center; Cynthia Koniecki, Portsmouth Senior Center; John 
Deluca, Davinci Center; Jessica Haley, Hamilton House; Sue Robbio, 
Jewish Senior Agency; Everret Cavalho, Mt. Hope Center; Lori Silvia, 
Fox Point Senior Center; Marilyn Heller, Smithfield Senior Center; 
Janice Gomes, Tiverton Senior Center; Elizabeth Hogue, Warren Senior 
Center; and Jill Anderson, Woonsocket Senior Center.

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