[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  40TH ANNIVERSARY OF SENIOR COMPANION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2014

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, this year, we celebrate the 40th 
anniversary of the Senior Companion Program. This important program 
pairs senior volunteers with frail seniors or disabled adults who are 
homebound. By providing companionship, taking care of routine chores 
and providing transportation to medical appointments or the grocery 
store, Senior Companions are often the only reason that frail seniors 
or disabled citizens are able to remain in their homes. The program 
helps over 60,000 Americans continue living on their own, which not 
only benefits the individuals but saves the federal government millions 
of dollars. Other Senior Companions provide assistance and friendship 
to seniors who would otherwise be isolated.
   I was responsible for bringing the first Senior Companion program to 
my home state of Oregon back in 1977. After being elected to Congress 
in 1986, I kept up my commitment to Senior Companion and other Senior 
Corps programs like RSVP and the Foster Grandparent Program. These 
programs have improved the quality of life for the citizens of my 
district and across the country. By mobilizing seniors to volunteer 
their skills and experience, vital community needs are met at a lower 
cost and senior volunteers reap the mental and physical benefits of 
remaining active in their communities.
   After 40 years of success, we need to maintain our commitment to our 
nation's seniors. I have built a bipartisan coalition and led the fight 
against misguided proposals to defund Senior Corps and dismantle the 
current structure of the program in this year's budget debates. We must 
continue to utilize the talents of seniors and work to improve and 
protect vital Senior Corps programs like the Senior Companion Program.

                          ____________________