[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 193 (Wednesday, December 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING LEGAL SERVICES FOR SENIORS

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                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 4, 2019

  Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask that my colleagues in 
the House join me in congratulating Legal Services for Seniors on the 
occasion of their 35th Anniversary. Beginning in 1985, Legal Services 
for Seniors has been dedicated to facilitating attorneys and legal 
advocates for senior residents of the 20th Congressional District of 
California. More specifically, Legal Services for Seniors has a history 
of providing no-cost legal representation to elderly low-income 
individuals residing in Monterey County who would otherwise not have 
access to the resources necessary for protecting their legal rights.
   Legal Services for Seniors has made it their goal to address and 
correct legal harm done to Monterey County seniors. They have offices 
and outreach locations in Seaside, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Pacific 
Grove, King City, Greenfield, Soledad, Gonzales, Castroville and 
Monterey. Legal Services for Seniors' attorneys and advocates provide 
free legal advice and complete legal representation to local seniors in 
order to address legal problems including physical, financial, and 
emotional abuse. More than 90,000 seniors have benefitted from no-cost 
legal support over the past 35 years. Many of the issues are very 
dramatic or life-threatening, and include abuse, Medicare, landlord-
tenant conflicts, medical and private insurance issues, Social Security 
problems, consumer fraud, scams, identity theft, probate guardianships, 
wills and advance health care directives. Thankfully, approximately 
3,000 citizens are assisted with these issues each year by Legal 
Services for Seniors. In 2018 alone, Legal Services for Seniors 
restored one million dollars in property fraudulently appropriated by 
the individuals which prey upon our seniors on the central coast of 
California.
   In addition to direct client representation, Legal Services for 
Seniors provides community-wide presentations to approximately 2,000 
seniors and their family members annually. These presentations provide 
information regarding issues which are vital to seniors' wellbeing, 
including recognizing and preventing elder abuse, scams, and consumer 
fraud as well as providing resources for affordable housing and end of 
life healthcare and decision-making. These services are crucial to 
informing citizens of their rights and resources. Additionally, the 
agency presents information on challenges faced by local seniors 
through public service announcements, newspaper articles, resource 
fairs, workshops, and other public venues.
   Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the dedication and 
commitment to compassion and justice that Legal Services for Seniors 
provides to the 20th Congressional District. We are fortunate to have 
this non-profit establishment call the Central Coast home as the only 
nonprofit agency in Monterey County providing no-cost legal services to 
our elderly residents. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating 
the 35th Anniversary of Legal Services for Seniors.

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