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“INTRODUCTION OF THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1997” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E986 on May 20, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
INTRODUCTION OF THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1997
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HON. MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, May 20, 1997
Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, for more than three decades, the Older Americans Act has been providing our Nation's seniors with the services that help them enjoy security, health, and independence. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that I introduce the Older Americans Act Amendments of 1997, which will update this statute for the 21st century and beyond.
The majority of this legislation is based upon the administration's proposal for reauthorization of the Older Americans Act which I introduced during the 104th Congress. It includes provisions that grant flexibility to States, area agencies on aging, and providers which will foster new and creative ways to design and administer services for the elderly. This measure also allows for the expansion of cooperative partnerships for the identification of local needs and delivery of comprehensive services. Most importantly, all this is accomplished with a strong commitment to those protections that have and will continue to ensure seniors' health and well-being for years to come.
Despite my support for much of what is contained in the administration's proposal there are some areas which I feel warrant change and further negotiation. One area in particular concerns the future of the Senior Community Services Employment Program [SCSEP]. While the administration would transfer the SCSEP to the Administration on Aging, the legislation I introduce today retains the program within the Department of Labor. While in principle and practice I have previously supported various proposals to consolidate and coordinate related Federal programs and services, the fact that the SCSEP is fundamentally an employment program compels me to support maintaining the program within the Labor Department.
As take up the Older Americans Act reauthorization again this year, I look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues on both sides of this aisle to fashion bipartisan legislation that continues to protect our Nation's seniors.
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