TESTIMONY

OF
HONORABLE JOHN E. FOGARTY

UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, D. C.

H.R. 7957
THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT OF 1963

SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 17, 1963
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee:

It is a privilege to appear here this morning to testify
on behalf of H. R. 7957 "The Older Americans Act of 1963" which
L introduced August 6 and the identical bills which have been
introduced by our distinguished colleagues.

I believe deeply that the bills under consideration fall
squarely into the category of urgent unfinished business and
I would iike to commend the Committee for taking such prompt
action in scheduling these hearings and for the high caliber
of the witnesses representing the major areas of interest in
aging who have been invited to testify.

No one could have worked as closely as I have on the
Appropriations Subcommittee dealing with the basic programs and
budgets affecting older persons without recognizing the growing
dilemma facing America's spiraling population of older persons.

I have repeatediy challenged the responsible authorities
to develop action programs to meet these needs and to accept
leadership in stimulating and coordinating training, research
and demonstration projects that could result in utilizing the
wisdom and the talents of our older Americans for the enrichment
of retirement living with its ultimate benefits to the community,
the State and the nation.

I shall not take the time of the Committee to repeat what
seems to me an endless record of my displeasure with existing
programs, my dissatisfaction with the rate of progress and my
sincere desire to create within the framework of the Federal
government an organization properly staffed, financed and
administered at a level that would keep the operation above
personal or partisan prejudice or control and give it the pres-
tige necessary to compete with other important programs.

It will be helpful to highlight three major efforts on
my part directed toward meeting these goals.

As a first order of business when Congress convened in
January 1958, I introduced a bill known as the White House
Conference on Aging Act which became law in August of that year.
The purpose of the Bill was to convene a natinnal forum of the
most knowledgeable prople in the field of aging to distill their
combined experience into a “Blueprint for Action in Aging."

Funds were made available to every state for studies,
surveys and conferences. Never bepre in our history has a more
complete evaluation been made of an age segment in our society
than the action that preceded the White House Conference on Aging
held January 9-12, 1961.

The findings of the States together with the recommendations

of approximately 2900 delegates resulted in a comprehensive
report listing over 600 recommendations for action.

Fully aware of the implication of such a report and acting
on the suggested recommendation for a Federal organization
necessary to implement a program in aging, Senator McNamara and
I introduced identical bills on January 31, 1962, for the
establishment of an independent Commission on Aging.

The programs affecting older persons cut across the
responsibilities of many departments and agencies. It was our
recommendation that the independent commission would recognize
the importance of each of these many vital programs and give
them a proper focus without the influence or control of any
one department.

The testimony last year given before the General Subcommittee
on Education, Chaired by Congressman Bailey was practically
unanimous in favor of an independent commission on Aging.

Opposition came only from those with vested interest in
continuing the existing organization dominating the field and
programs in aging. I am convinced the Administration's best
interests were not properly represented and the legislation was
stalemated.

One other unfortunate development that was consumated in

January of this year was the reorganization within the Department
of Health, Education and Welfare that downgraded the program on
aging by removing the Special Staff on Aging from the Office of
the Secretary and placing it under the jurisdiction of the
Commissioner of Welfare as an Office of Aging.

Let me hasten to emphasize that this statement is not a
reflection on the Commissioner who is regarded as an outstanding
administrator and is recognized as an authority in the field of
public welfare.

I object and indeed I believe everyone of America's 18 million
persons over age 65 has a right to resent this official action by
the Federal government announcing to the nation that "the indepen-.
dence, dignity and usefulness of our Older Americans will
hereafter be regarded as welfare problems." This is contrary
to everything that has been researched and recommended to
change the image of aging from a sickly, indigent individual to
a dignified, responsible person. The welfare setting has wiped
out most of the social progress that was made ower the last 15
years in the field of aging.

"Welfare" to Americans means public assistance. It seems to
me that the recent welfare publications of the Department of
Health, Education and Welfare have failed to convince or overcome

this understanding.
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I give you these details to document the background of
H.R. 7957 and the identical bill s§. 2000 which Senator McNamara
has introduced. To keep faith with the thousands who have gone
on record in favor of grants for training, research and demon-
stration projects; to resmere the Federal program in aging to a
level where our nation's older persons can look with pride; to
provide the States with funds needed to salvage the programs
initiated with White House Conference on Aging funds and permit
older persons to provide a climate for senior citizen participation,
the Older Americans Act of 1963 was introduced.

you are undoubtedly familiar with the Bill, but I would like
to highlight several of its features which to me are so long
overdue and urgently needed that we cannot afford further delay
without risking another social revolution among a segment of our
population that quite frankly has been assigned the status of
another minority group. H.R. 7957 would restore this deserving
group of our population to their rightful place as first class
citizens.

I might add in passing that this group represents a 35
billion a year market in the United States and that 15 out of
100 eligible voters in the United States are over 65.

It is because older Americans are responsible individuals,
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they look to the orderly Congressional processes for providing

the necessary funds and facilities by which they can exercise

their full citizenship rights and offer their services.

The objectives of the Older Americans Act.of 1963 are

primarily these:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

An adequate income in retirement in accordance with

the American standard of living.

The best possible physical and mental health which

medical science can make available and without
regard to economic status.

Suitable housing, independently selected, designed
and located with reference to special needs and

available at costs which older citizens can afford.

Full restorative services for those who require
institutional care.

Oppatinity for employment with no discriminatory

personnel practices because of age.

Retirement in health, honor, dignity-after years of

contribution to the economy.

Pursuit of meaningful activity within the widest

range of civic, cultural, and recreational opportunities.

Efficient community services which provide social
assistance in a coordinated manner and which are
readily available when needed.

(9) Immediate benefit from proven research knowledge

which can sustain and improve health and happiness.

(10) Freedom, independence, and the free exercise of

individual initiative in planning and managing their
own lives.
Within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare an
administration to be known as the Administration for Aging would
be established. This would be under the direction of a Commis-
sioner for Aging to be appointed by the President by and with the
advice of the Senate.
It would be the duty and function of the Administration:
1. To serve as a clearing house for information related to
the problems of the aged and aging

2. Assist the Secretary in all matters pertaining to the
problems of the aged and aging

3. Administer the grants provided by the Act

4. Develop plans, conduct and arrange for research and
demonstration programs in the field of aging

5. Provide technical assistance and consultation to States
and political subdivisions with respect to programs for

the aged and aging
-~B-

Prepare, publish and disseminate educational materials deal-
ing with the welfare of older persons

Gather statistics in the field of aging which other Federal
agencies are not collecting, and

Stimulate more effective use of existing resources and
available services.

Funds would be appropriated for grants by the Secretary to

States for projects for;

1.

Community planning and coordinating of programs to carry
out the purposes of the Bill

Demonstrations of programs or activities which are partic-
ularly valuable in carrying out such purposes

Training of special personnel needed to carry out such
programs and activities

Establishment of new or expansion of existing programs to
carry out such purposes, including establishment or
expansions of existing centers providing recreational or
other leisure time activities and informational, health,
welfare, counseling and referral services for older persons
and assisting such persons in providing voluntary community
or civic services.

It should be noted that no cost of construction other than
minor alterations and repairs would be included in such

establishment or expansion.

Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, I think you will agree
that this is basic legislation. There are no frills. Every part
of it has been directed toward a demonstrated need. Its adminis-
tration will be at a level equalto that of the Commissioner of
Social Security and the Commissioner of Welfare.

It will enjoy the prestige needed to get the job done. The
funds have been provided for a limited period to provide the
necessary safeguards, but for a period long enough to demonstrate
the practical aspects of the proposed program.

I am convinced that the testimony which you will be hearing
the next few days will further document the urgency for this
legislation.

It almost seems unnecessary to encourage prompt action on
the Older Americans Act of 1963. As the facts unfold in iater
testimony, I believe you will agree with me that the hour is
late, action overdue, and that our role as responsible
legislators is to do everything within reason to expedite the
passage of H.R. 7957. This Bill transcends personal or political
self interest and will be regarded as one of the most important

contributions to the social legislation of our time.