    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [July 14, 1995]
    [Pages 1096-1097]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the 30th Anniversary of the Older Americans Act
    July 14, 1995

        Today I am pleased to mark the 30th anniversary of the Older
    Americans Act, an act which has allowed millions of elderly Americans to
    live with dignity, safety, and independence.
        When President Johnson signed this bill into law 30 years ago, he
    characterized the best intentions of a Nation when he said:
        ``The Older Americans Act clearly affirms our Nation's sense of
    responsibility toward the well-being of all of our older citizens. But
    even more, the results of this act will help us to expand our
    opportunities for enriching the lives of all of our citizens in this
    country, now and in the years to come.''
        Indeed, we should be proud of our Nation's compact with older
    Americans and the public private partnership that is embodied in the
    Older Americans Act. This compact has included community-based services
    such as Meals on Wheels, transportation, ombudsman services, and other
    efforts to prevent abuse of the elderly.
        As the Congress considers reauthorization of the Older Americans Act
    this year, my administration is committed to keeping the act whole and
    preserving the core principles which have

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    guided its success: grassroots support, citizen input, bottom-up
    planning, and coordination of services. Programs like the Title V Senior
    Community Service Employment Program have been instrumental in helping
    us all benefit from the accumulated experience and judgment of older
    Americans. I will fight to keep these programs strong and to maintain
    the active role of the national aging network in assisting elderly
    Americans.
        While we commemorate an important anniversary today, every American
    should be proud that we have greatly improved the way our people live
    their lives as they grow older, providing new hope for entire lifetimes
    of purpose and dignity. We must remember that with this kind of
    opportunity in a democracy goes continued responsibility. Our job today
    is to preserve this progress not only for our current seniors in their
    lifetimes but for all generations of Americans to come.