[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 114 (Thursday, September 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN HONOR OF PENN SOUTH SENIOR SERVICES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2006

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Penn South Program 
for Seniors for an outstanding 20 years of service to the naturally 
occurring retirement community in and around the Penn South cooperative 
on Manhattan's West Side.
  When President John F. Kennedy dedicated Penn South in 1962, he said, 
``It is the task of every generation to build a road for the next 
generation. This housing development . . . can provide a better life 
for the people who come after us, if we meet our responsibilities.'' 
Indeed a subsequent generation of Manhattanites has benefited from the 
vision of the eariest residents of Penn South. Many of the original 
members of the cooperative still live in Penn South, and many of the 
current residents are senior citizens. The Penn South Program for 
Senior continues to provide dedicated support to those people who 
helped make Chelsea the vibrant neighborhood it is today.
  Originally built to house members of the International Ladies Garment 
Workers Union and their families, Penn South sparked a renaissance on 
Manhattan's West Side when ``urban renewal'' was a phrase used only 
among city planners. As growing demand for affordable housing prompted 
Penn South to open itself to the public, the cooperative became a 
thriving community that truly transformed the neighborhood.
  Widely regarded as one of the best-run cooperatives in the state of 
New York, Penn South has made contributions beyond its own community. 
During New York City's budget crisis in the 1970s, residents of Penn 
South scraped together enough money to prepay their property taxes and 
help the City through that difficult time.
  The Penn South Program for Seniors was our Nation's first Naturally 
Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) program, and has become a nexus 
of senior services. Since 1986, it has provided care management, 
entitlement screening and advocacy, homecare coordination, health 
services, counseling, support groups, referral services, recreation, 
educational programs, volunteer opportunities, a social adult day care 
program, and an intergenerational garden for both seniors and children. 
The program also links West Side residents with community services such 
as Meals on Wheels, home care, and transportation. Later, because Penn 
South was selected as a training site for psychiatric fellows, two 
medical centers have opened on-site geriatric practices and residents 
have access to free psychiatric consultations.
  Most importantly, the program allows seniors to continue living in 
their homes as part of the Penn South community. This chance is vital 
to hundreds of long-time residents, especially at a time when financial 
concerns and high real estate costs are forcing many of New York City's 
seniors out of their apartments.
  Again, I commend the Penn South Program for Seniors for its tireless 
support for the generation of New Yorkers who brought Chelsea back to 
life.

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