Senate Resolution No. 2640

BY: Senator WEBB

COMMENDING Broome County Office for Aging upon the
occasion of celebrating its 50th Anniversary

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge
to the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their
past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and
valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Broome County Office for Aging upon the occasion of celebrating
its 50th Anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Members of older generations have helped build and shape
our Nation to be the greatest in the world; they have defended our
freedoms and values to ensure that those who come after them may have
better lives; nowhere in the Nation is the legacy of their efforts more
visible and more a part of the lives of all citizens than here in the
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The Older Americans Act (OAA) was passed in 1965 as part of
President Johnson's "Great Society" initiative with the goal of
supporting older Americans to live at home and in the community with
dignity and independence for as long as possible; and

WHEREAS, Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) were established under the
Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1973; Broome County Office for Aging (OFA)
was established in 1974; and

WHEREAS, During the 1970s, the OFA provided 2,000 information and
assistance contacts, 8,300 home-delivered meals, 79,000 senior center
meals, and 15,000 transportation rides to those individuals without
options or resources; and

WHEREAS, Some services, such as the Foster Grandparents Program
(FGP), Yesteryears Group Respite, and in-home personal care, were not
provided then but are available to assist individuals who require these
programs today; and

WHEREAS, In 2023, the statistics for OFA's provisions had
drastically increased; 18,219 information and assistance contacts,
172,140 home-delivered meals, 52,755 congregate meals, and 19,556
transportation rides were furnished for older community members in need;
and

WHEREAS, Amendments to the Older Americans Act in 2006 broadened its
scope of the advancement of long-term care, focusing on empowering
individuals to make informed decisions about their care through the

development of Aging and Disability Resource Centers, enabling older
adults to live healthier lives through the implementation of
evidence-based disease and disability prevention programs, and assisting
high-risk older adults in delaying premature nursing home placement
through consumer-directed services; and

WHEREAS, The success of Broome County Office for Aging is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is, and
always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all
endeavors on behalf of the institution and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proudly moved to commend the
members of Broome County Office for Aging, past and present, who have
labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the quality of life for
the community it serves; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Broome County Office for Aging upon the occasion of celebrating
its 50th Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Broome County Office for Aging.