dff 
[DOCID: f:sr200ats.txt]






107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 200

  Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the national nutrition 
program for the elderly, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its 
                             establishment.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 23, 2002

  Mr. Kennedy (for himself and Ms. Mikulski) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the national nutrition 
program for the elderly, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its 
                             establishment.

Whereas on March 22, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed Public Law 92-258, 
        which amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to establish a national 
        nutrition program for the elderly, commonly referred to as the ``Elderly 
        Nutrition Program'';
Whereas the Elderly Nutrition Program has been expanded since its inception in 
        1972 to include 3 distinct components: congregate meals, home delivered 
        meals, and the Nutrition Program for the Elderly in the Department of 
        Agriculture;
Whereas the Elderly Nutrition Program operates in every State and most counties 
        and cities in the United States, providing seniors with guaranteed 
        meals;
Whereas these meals each provide at a minimum 33 percent of the recommended 
        daily allowances of nutrients;
Whereas the Elderly Nutrition Program has provided more than 4,700,000,000 
        meals;
Whereas the Elderly Nutrition Program is a vital component of a service network, 
        providing a continuum of home- and community-based long-term care for 
        seniors and helping them to avoid premature or unnecessary 
        institutionalization;
Whereas the Elderly Nutrition Program provides a powerful socialization 
        opportunity for millions of seniors to help combat loneliness and 
        isolation;
Whereas a strong national network of nutrition service providers and thousands 
        of dedicated volunteers administer the Elderly Nutrition Program; and
Whereas under the Elderly Nutrition Program, more than 272,000,000 meals are 
        provided each year to older individuals in the greatest economic or 
        social need and to older Native Americans: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the 
establishment of a national nutrition program for the elderly, commonly 
referred to as the ``Elderly Nutrition Program''--
            (1) it is the sense of the Senate that the program, of 
        great importance to the health and well-being of participants, 
        is well-run and continues to achieve its objectives on behalf 
        of the senior citizens it serves; and
            (2) the Senate--
                    (A) expresses appreciation for the daily work of 
                all the individuals, including volunteers, who 
                administer the program at the local level; and
                    (B) recognizes the importance of the present and 
                future health and well-being of the millions of senior 
                citizens across the Nation, including the maintenance 
                of their independence and dignity.
                                 <all>

0