[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24718]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 OLDER AMERICANS ACT AMENDMENTS OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 2000

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 782, the Older 
Americans Act Amendments and I commend its sponsors for getting it to 
the floor of the House today. This program has not been reauthorized 
since it expired in 1995, but continued only through annual 
appropriations.
  Today when we pass this reauthorization measure, we can finally say 
to our Senior citizens that we care about their concerns, enough to 
provide the support and assistance they need.
  Mr. Speaker I especially applaud the bills provisions with regard to 
older people of color, who are often poorer, lack health care services 
and experience greater difficulties having their needs met.
  The seniors in my district have benefited greatly from this act in 
the past and from the annual appropriations to continue the services--
from the elderly nutrition programs to the home care for the frail 
elderly and the senior community service employment program. They are 
very proud of the variety of needed services they give to the community 
through this latter program.
  We are also pleased that this reauthorization includes a national 
family caregiver support program. Many families across the country will 
be helped through this important measure.
  Mr. Speaker, this reauthorization is long overdue and I am pleased to 
join my many colleagues in supporting it.

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