[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 18981-18982]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS' 
                              RIGHTS WEEK

  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 772) supporting the goals and ideals of National 
Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week and recognizing the importance to 
the Nation of residents of long-term care facilities, including senior 
citizens and individuals living with disabilities.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 772

       Whereas there are nearly 1.7 million individuals living in 
     17,000 nursing homes and 1 million individuals living in 
     46,000 board and care and assisted living facilities in the 
     United States;
       Whereas residents of long-term care facilities, including 
     senior citizens and individuals living with disabilities, are 
     one of the Nation's most valued resources;
       Whereas residents of long-term care facilities include the 
     ``Greatest Generation'' of Americans who protected our 
     freedoms in World War II and helped rebuild the world in the 
     postwar years;
       Whereas almost 160,000 people younger than 65 years of age 
     live in the Nation's nursing homes;
       Whereas the Nation should honor and celebrate long-term 
     care residents, recognize their rich individuality, and 
     reaffirm their rights as community members and citizens, 
     including the right to vote;
       Whereas the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 
     guaranteed important rights, such as the right to privacy, 
     the right to be treated with dignity, the right to exercise 
     self-determination, the right to participate in the review of 
     one's care plan, the right to be fully informed in advance of 
     any changes in treatment, and the right to voice grievances 
     without discrimination or reprisal;
       Whereas long-term care ombudsmen, citizen advocates, 
     facility staff, and family and resident councils work to 
     educate and empower residents in the exercise of their 
     rights;
       Whereas the week beginning October 3, 2004, should be 
     celebrated as National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week;
       Whereas in recognition of National Long-Term Care 
     Residents' Rights Week, individuals and groups around the 
     country will be affirming the importance of quality of care 
     and quality of life for long-term care residents; and
       Whereas National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week 
     originated in 1980, with resolutions introduced by 
     Representative Claude Pepper and Senator David Pryor to 
     designate a Nursing Home Residents Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Long-Term 
     Care Residents' Rights Week; and
       (2) encourages the President to issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe that 
     week with appropriate ceremonies and activities to 
     demonstrate the importance of long-term care residents to our 
     everyday lives.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Ose) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose).


                             General Leave

  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution supports the goals and ideals of 
National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week. Many Americans may not 
be aware that dozens of national, State and local organizations observe 
National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week during the first week of 
October. As we approach that time, I am pleased that the House is 
considering this resolution.
  As the U.S. population grows older, long-term care facilities become 
increasingly important resources for more American families. These 
homes provide invaluable services by helping people with the day-to-day 
care of their elderly loved ones.
  Nearly 2 million Americans today live in assisted living homes. These 
people are our parents, our grandparents, our great grandparents, our 
mentors, neighbors and friends. They have lived full lives, but they 
have much more living to do. We should always value and respect their 
dignity as that transpires.
  I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) for his efforts on 
House Resolution 772, and I urge its adoption.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, almost 1.7 million Americans live in a long-term care 
facility somewhere in the United States. With improvements in medicine 
and the aging of the baby boomer generation, that number is likely to 
increase. Therefore, it is important that we take the steps necessary 
to secure the safety, dignity and happiness of our senior citizens.
  In 1987, the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act was created as an 
important first step towards protecting the rights of senior citizens. 
The act guaranteed seniors the right to self-determination, to be 
treated with dignity and the right to voice grievances without 
reprisal. However, much more can be done to educate seniors about their 
rights.
  Creating a National Long-Term Care Residents Rights' Week is a step 
in the right direction. One week each year, Americans will be educated 
about long-term care facilities and the quality of care and the quality 
of life that our seniors deserve.
  Our seniors are a national treasure that should be valued and treated 
with the utmost respect. There is no question that we are a stronger, 
safer and more prosperous nation because of the hard work and 
sacrifices made by the generations that have come before us.

                              {time}  1415

  We are without doubt in their debt. I support the goals and ideals of 
National Long Term Care Residents' Rights Week, and I encourage the 
President to issue a proclamation that calls upon the people of the 
United States to observe National Long Term Care Residents' Rights Week 
beginning October 3.
  We also need to seriously look at what is being done about the pay of 
individuals who work in nursing homes and especially those at the lower 
levels. Even as I speak today, I think of my father who is 93 years old 
and who is probably breathing out his last breath in a facility today, 
so I have a great deal of concern for those individuals who work in 
these facilities and who often times are paid wages that are not 
commensurate with the importance of the work that they do.
  I also would like to express appreciation to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Waxman) for his leadership on this important piece of 
legislation.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 772, a 
resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Long-Term Care 
Residents' Rights Week and recognizing the importance of residents of 
long-term care facilities to our everyday lives.
  I want to thank Representative Tom Davis and Representative Danny 
Davis for working with me to bring this resolution to the floor in a 
timely manner. I also want to recognize Representative John McHugh for 
joining me in sponsoring this National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights 
Week resolution.
  Since coming to Congress 30 years ago, one of my top priorities has 
been improving the health care received by senior citizens and persons 
living with disabilities. It is these people whom we honor during 
National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week, which will begin this 
year on October 3.
  I am especially pleased to be following in the footsteps of the 
legendary Claude Pepper, who first introduced a resolution in 1980 to 
designate a Nursing Home Residents Day. As many of you may remember, 
Claude Pepper was a tireless advocate for the interests of senior 
citizens and the disabled during his five decades of public service. 
Since 1980, this commemoration has been broadened to include all 2.7 
million persons who live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, 
and board and care facilities in the U.S.
  A large number of these long-term care residents are members of 
America's ``Greatest Generation''--those men and women who protected 
our freedoms in World War II and helped rebuild the world in the post-
war years. Our Nation should honor and celebrate these

[[Page 18982]]

residents, recognize their rich individuality, and reaffirm their 
rights. These rights include the right to privacy, the right to be 
treated with dignity, the right to review one's care plan, the right to 
voice grievances without fear of reprisal, and the right to vote.
  Mr. Speaker, residents of long-term facilities are a vital part of 
our Nation and they deserve our honor today. I urge the passage of H. 
Res. 772.
  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 772, 
which recognizes the importance of residents of long-term care 
facilities to the Nation, including senior citizens and individuals 
living with disabilities. This resolution calls for the week beginning 
October 3, 2004 to be celebrated as National Long-Term Care Residents' 
Rights Week.
  We should do all that we can to help senior citizens and individuals 
living with disabilities maintain their rights and dignity in their 
daily lives as they strive to participate in the community and make 
meaningful contributions to our society. Helping them achieve their 
goals and dreams, and empowering them with the resources they need to 
lead rewarding lives depend on making sure their rights and benefits 
are preserved and strengthened. The objectives set forth under this 
resolution are consistent with these laudable goals.
  Our nation's elderly include approximately 1.7 million who are living 
in 17,000 nursing homes and 1 million living in 46,000 assisted living 
facilities in the United States. About 160,000 people younger than 65 
years of age live in the Nation's nursing homes. These numbers show the 
elderly and disabled constitute growing significant segments of our 
population and that we should recognize their specific needs and 
challenges and how to best serve their interests. I encourage my 
colleagues, therefore, to support the goals and ideals of National 
Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week, and I welcome the participation 
of long-term care advocates as we strive to help those in such 
facilities lead productive and rewarding lives.
  My commitment to our seniors in long-term care facilities and who are 
cared for by their families is why I introduced ``The Elder Justice 
Act'' (H.R. 2490). This bill will elevate problems associated with 
abuse against seniors to national attention by consolidating existing 
government functions dealing with the problem in several different 
federal agencies under a new Elder Justice Office within the Department 
of Health and Human Services. My legislation will also help States and 
local agencies combat neglect and exploitation--whether it is physical, 
psychological or financial--such as assisting victims and at-risk 
seniors through ``safe havens'' and supporting local and state 
prosecution of abuse perpetrated against the elderly.
  Mr. Speaker, we should fulfill our commitment to seniors and disabled 
Americans. And we must ensure that resolutions like these move forward 
to demonstrate our obligations to those who need our help. I thank the 
gentleman from California, Mr. Waxman, for introducing this important 
resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support passage of H. Res. 772.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues support the passage of 
this important legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Linder). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 772.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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