[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6247-6248]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       IN HONOR OF JOSEPH NASTASI

 Mr. BREAUX. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Mr. Joseph 
Nastasi, who has been an advocate for the seniors of Monroe, Louisiana, 
for 18 years as executive director of the Ouachita Parish Council on 
Aging.
  A veteran of World War II, and the wars in Korea and Vietnam, Joe 
honorably served his country in the Marine

[[Page 6248]]

Corps from 1943 until he retired in 1979. After his long and 
distinguished service, Joe shifted his focus to serving older 
Louisianians as he began work with the Ouachita Council on Aging in 
1982.
  Under his leadership, the Ouachita Council on Aging has significantly 
increased its senior services. Eighteen years ago, daily meals were 
delivered to 80 seniors. Today, that number has expanded to 
approximately 500. And, in large part to Joe's efforts to enhance 
senior transportation, more seniors in Ouachita Parish now have access 
to essential services such as heart and cancer centers.
  In addition to his work with the Council on Aging, Joe has also 
served as President of the Louisiana Council on Aging Directors 
Association, on the boards of the Louisiana Public Transportation 
Association and Louisiana State University Monroe Medical Center, and 
as a member of the Louisiana Elderly Health Care Council.
  As ranking Democrat of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, I can 
tell you that Joe has been an invaluable resource to me and my Aging 
Committee staff. Last November, he testified at an Aging Committee 
field hearing in Monroe and provided excellent insight into the 
challenges faced by family caregivers. Joe's experience and insight 
have enriched our work time and again.
  After many years of loyal service, Joe recently retired from the 
Ouachita Council on Aging. I want to thank him for his hard work and 
dedication, and wish him well in his retirement.

                          ____________________