[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 102 (Friday, July 28, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8412-S8414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTONS

      By Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. 
        Durbin):
  S. 3761. A bill to amend the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act 
of 1973 to assist the neediest of senior citizens by modifying the 
eligibility criteria for supplemental foods provided under the 
commodity supplemental food program to take into account the 
extraordinarily high out-of-pocket medical expenses that senior 
citizens pay, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry.
  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Senior 
Nutrition Act, which will make needed improvements to the Commodity 
Supplemental Food Program to prevent our seniors from having to make 
the difficult choice between food and medicine as they try to balance 
their budgets.
  I am pleased to have the support of my friend, Senator Domenici of 
New Mexico, who has been one of the Senate's strongest supporters of 
CSFP. Also I am pleased to have the support of Senators Johnson and 
Durbin.
  Nationally, 32 States and the District of Columbia participate in 
CSFP, which works to improve the health of both women with children and 
seniors by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA commodity 
foods. According to USDA, more than half a million people each month 
participated in CSFP during fiscal year 2005, with the overwhelming 
majority being seniors.
  My State of Michigan has one of the largest and oldest CSFP network 
in the Nation. Last year, over 80,000 people in Michigan benefited from 
this important program.
  The bill I am introducing today will make the following important 
changes to CSFP.
  First, categorical eligibility is granted for seniors for CSFP if the 
individual participates or is eligible to participate in the Food Stamp 
Program. No further verification of income would be necessary in such 
cases. The Food Stamp Program provides a medical expense deduction, 
which seniors may use to account for their high prescription drug 
costs.
  Second, this bill says that the same income standard that is 
currently used to determine eligibility for women, infants, and 
children in CSFP--185 percent of the poverty income guidelines--would 
be applied to seniors as well. The current income eligibility standard 
for seniors has been capped at just 130 percent. Under the current 
Federal poverty guidelines, a single senior cannot earn more than 
$12,740 per year to qualify. By raising the standard to 185 percent of 
poverty, the same senior can earn as much as $18,130 to qualify for 
food. This will make a major difference in the lives of so many seniors 
who are struggling with the high cost of prescription drugs.
  This bill has been endorsed by the National CSFP Association as well 
as several national and Michigan senior advocacy and faith-based 
groups. I ask unanimous consent that a copy of these support letters be 
printed in the Record following my remarks.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                    National CSFP Association,

                                  Farmington, NM, August 17, 2005.
     Hon. Debbie Stabenow,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Stabenow: Thank you for your continuing 
     support of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) 
     which provides an important buffer for our vulnerable 
     children and seniors each month. Your support has made a 
     difference and we appreciate your tireless efforts.
       The National CSFP Association strongly supports your 
     efforts to re-introduce and pass the Senior Nutrition Act and 
     will work diligently to see that it happens this year. As you 
     know nearly 90% of our recipients are now seniors living 
     below 130% of Federal Poverty Level. For a household of one, 
     this is a maximum of $1,037 per month. While some changes 
     have been made in Medicare to help seniors buy prescriptions, 
     the rising fuel costs are still of great concern to those on 
     fixed incomes and many of those seniors qualifying for food 
     stamps due to medical cost deductions will lose the 
     deductions to income and subsequently the food stamps. By 
     amending the eligibility criteria for seniors served by CSFP 
     through the Senior Nutrition Act, the neediest of seniors 
     will continue to receive nutrition assistance, which is 
     crucial if they are to remain in good health.
       Again, thank you for championing our nation's children and 
     seniors.
           Sincerely,

                                                Vicki Metheny,

                             ECHO, Inc., Food Programs Supervisor,
                             President, National CSFP Association.

[[Page S8413]]

     
                                  ____
                                              Michigan Association


                                               of United Ways,

                                  Lansing, MI, September 28, 2005.
     Re commodity foods for seniors legislation.

     Hon. Debbie Stabenow,
     U.S. Senator,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Stabenow: The Michigan Association of United 
     Ways enthusiastically supports your efforts to introduce 
     legislation to make it easier for seniors to receive 
     commodity foods. Your legislation will enable seniors to 
     receive assistance from the Commodity Supplemental Food 
     Program if seniors receive Food Stamps or have income up to 
     185 percent of poverty.
       On August 30, 2005 the U.S. Census released its annual 
     report on income, poverty, and health insurance coverage in 
     the United States. The statistics are alarming. 1.1 million 
     more people fell into poverty, bringing the ranks of poor 
     Americans to 37 million. This is 12.7 percent of the 
     population in 2004, compared to 35.9 million (12.5 percent) 
     in 2003.
       The 63 United Ways in Michigan help to meet the basics 
     needs of vulnerable people of all ages. United Ways must 
     partner with government to protect the social safety net for 
     seniors. United Ways are well aware that many low-income 
     seniors run out of money before the end of the month and need 
     help. Your legislation will help insure that low-income 
     seniors receive the support that they deserve.
       Thank you for your continuing concerns for all low-income 
     families in Michigan.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Robert E. Parks,
     Director of Membership Services.
                                  ____



                                  Elder Law of Michigan, Inc.,

                                  Lansing, MI, September 28, 2005.
     Senator Debbie Stabenow,
     133 Hart Senate Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Stabenow: On behalf of Elder Law of Michigan, 
     Inc. I want to voice our strong support for the re-
     introduction of Senate bill 486 to increase the eligibility 
     for free commodity food for seniors from 130% of the poverty 
     level to 185% of the poverty level. In our public law 
     practice, we see thousands of Michigan seniors each year who 
     are going without food to pay for their other living and 
     health care expenses. We anticipate that rising automobile/
     gas and home heating costs will dramatically erode older 
     citizens' ability to pay for their basic needs of food, 
     shelter, and medicine.
       Increasingly we see seniors face the pressure to 
     financially support children and grandchildren in our state. 
     The pressure on these families due to the economic conditions 
     in our state and limited job opportunities set the stage for 
     financial exploitation and elder abuse. Providing additional 
     access to commodity food can alleviate some of the pressure 
     these low-income, multigenerational families experience.
       Food is a basic human right. Thank you for your leadership 
     on this issue. Please contact me if I can provide any 
     additional support on this or other issues to improve the 
     well being of seniors in Michigan and the United States.
           Sincerely,
                                             Kate Birnbryer White,
     Executive Director.
                                  ____



                                     Center for Civil Justice,

                                  Saginaw, MI, September 21, 2005.
     Re legislation to help seniors access commodities.

     Hon. Debbie Stabenow,
     U.S. Senator,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Stabenow: The Center for Civil Justice was 
     pleased to hear that you will be co-sponsoring a new version 
     of S. 468 (from the 108th Congress). The proposed legislation 
     will enable seniors to receive help from the Commodity 
     Supplemental Food Program (CFSP) if the seniors receive Food 
     Stamps or have income up to 185% of poverty.
       I am writing to express our support for this initiative. 
     The Center for Civil Justice assists thousands of people each 
     year who call our Food and Nutrition Program Helpline for 
     information about federal food programs. We also work with 
     community organizations throughout Michigan who provide 
     emergency food and services to those in need. Through this 
     work, we are well aware that there are many seniors who need 
     help with food and who could benefit from the commodities 
     program.
       In Michigan, seniors comprise approximately 17% of the Food 
     Stamp households. We know from talking to the seniors who 
     call our Food and Nutrition Helpline that many of these 
     households are struggling to pay for medical care and higher 
     gas bills. These expenses reduce the money they have 
     available to buy food. These seniors will benefit from 
     increased access to supplemental food commodities as a result 
     of the legislation.
       Thank you for your continuing concern with assuring 
     adequate food for Michigan's most vulnerable households.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                  Terri L. Stangl,
     Executive Director.
                                  ____



                                                      Network,

                               Washington, DC, September 20, 2005.
     Hon. Debbie Stabenow,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Stabenow: NETWORK, a National Catholic Social 
     Justice Lobby, is pleased to learn that you are introducing a 
     senior nutrition bill. We strongly support the bill we have 
     seen in draft. We understand that the bill will increase to 
     185% of the poverty threshold, the level at which a senior 
     will be eligible for commodity supplemental food program. 
     There are many seniors in this nation who struggle with 
     decisions concerning purchase of food and medication, or 
     payment of household utilities. A program supporting a 
     greater number to benefit from supplemental nutritious foods 
     seems critical.
       The U.S. Census Bureau report: Income, Poverty, and Health 
     Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2004, states that 
     nearly 3.5 million seniors lived at or below the poverty 
     threshold of $8,825 (individual) or $11,122 (couple) in 2004. 
     The current level of 130% of the poverty threshold ($11,472 
     or $14,458) severely limits what a person/couple is able to 
     purchase. The proposed level of 185% ($16,326 or $20,575) 
     seems far more acceptable for ensuring that more seniors 
     receive food supplements which supply a more nutritious diet.
       NETWORK is anxious to assist you in gaining passage of this 
     bill. Those who have gone before us, cared for us and raised 
     the present younger generations deserve to live in dignity, 
     without question of meeting basic needs. We hearken back to 
     the words of Leviticus, ``You shall rise up before the gray 
     haired and defer to one who is elder'' (19:32), and of 
     Matthew, ``Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the 
     least of these who are members of my family, you did it to 
     me.'' (25:40). Catholic Social Teaching further specifies 
     that, ``the poor have the single most urgent economic claim 
     on the conscience of the nation'' (Economic Justice for All).
       When the bill is dropped, we will elicit the support of our 
     membership toward its passage. Please, let us know anything 
     else we can do to further assist in the passage of this bill.
           Sincerely.
                                                  Simone Campbell,
                                             National Coordinator.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. McCAIN (for himself and Mr. Kyl):
  S. 3762. A bill to designate segments of Fossil Creek, a tributary to 
the Verde River in the State of Arizona, as wild and scenic rivers; to 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined by my colleague, 
Senator Kyl, in introducing a bill to designate Fossil Creek as a 
``wild and scenic river.'' A companion measure is being introduced 
today by Congressman Renzi and other members of the Arizona 
congressional delegation.
  Fossil Creek it is a thing of beauty. With its picturesque scenery, 
lush riparian ecosystem, unique geological features, and deep 
iridescent blue pools and waterfalls, this tributary to the Wild and 
Scenic Verde River and Lower Colorado River Watershed stretches 14 
miles through east central Arizona. It is home to a wide variety of 
wildlife, some of which are threatened or endangered species. Over 100 
bird species inhabit the Fossil Creek area and use it to migrate 
between the range lowlands and the Mogollon-Colorado Plateau highlands. 
Fossil Creek also supports a variety of aquatic species and is one of 
the few perennial streams in Arizona with multiple native fish.
  Fossil Creek was named in the 1800s when early explorers described 
the fossil-like appearance of creek-side rocks and vegetation coated 
with calcium carbonate deposits from the creek's water. In the early 
1900s, pioneers recognized the potential for hydroelectric power 
generation in the creek's constant and abundant spring-fed base-flow. 
They claimed the channel's water rights and built a dam system and 
generating facilities known as the Childs-Irving hydro-project. Over 
time, the project was acquired by Arizona Public Service, APS, one of 
the State's largest eclectic utility providers serving more than a 
million Arizonans. Because Childs-Irving produced less then half of 1 
percent of the total power generated by APS, the decision was made 
ultimately to decommission the aging dam and restore Fossil Creek to 
its presettlement conditions.
  APS has partnered with various environmental groups, Federal land 
managers, and State, tribal, and local governments to safely remove the 
Childs-Irving power generating facilities and restore the riparian 
ecosystem. In 2005, APS removed the dam system and returned full flows 
to Fossil Creek. Researchers predict Fossil Creek will soon become a 
fully regenerated Southwest native fishery providing a most valuable 
opportunity to reintroduce at least six threatened and endangered 
native fish species as well as rebuild the native populations presently 
living in the creek.

[[Page S8414]]

  There is a growing need to provide additional protection and adequate 
staffing and management at Fossil Creek. Recreational visitation to the 
riverbed is expected to increase dramatically, and by the Forest 
Service's own admission, they aren't able to manage current levels of 
visitation or the pressures of increased use. While responsible 
recreation and other activities at Fossil Creek are to be encouraged, 
we must also ensure the long-term success of the ongoing restoration 
efforts. Designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act would help to 
ensure the appropriate level of protection and resources are devoted to 
Fossil Creek. Already, Fossil Creek has been found eligible for ``wild 
and scenic'' designation by the Forest Service and the proposal has 
widespread support from surrounding communities. All of the lands 
potentially affected by a designation are owned and managed by the 
Forest Service and will not affect private property owners.
  Mr. President, Fossil Creek is a unique Arizona treasure and would 
benefit greatly from the protection and recognition offered through 
``wild and scenic'' designation. I urge my colleagues to support this 
bill.

                          ____________________