September 14, 2009
Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) voted for and helped the House pass by a vote of 387-0, a resolution recognizing senior caregivers (H.Con.Res 59). The resolution honors those who provide care for our seniors, and calls on Congress to: examine and continue to fund current federal programs which address the accessibility and affordability needs of seniors and their family caregivers: as well as focus on learning more about senior care to be better prepared to manage the needs of our aging population.
“All too often we hear stories of our nation’s seniors becoming victims of physical, emotional, or financial abuse,” said Congressman Sestak. “This legislation is an opportunity to recognize those who, day in and day out, lovingly care for our nations elders.”
Congressman Sestak’s Elder Abuse Victims Act, which funds more effective law enforcement and prosecution of elder abuse, was the first legislation on elder abuse to make it through the House of Representatives in 17 years. Between one and two million Americans age 65 or older have been victims of elder abuse.
In addition, he has consistently supported giving seniors more choices about the care they receive and ensuring federal policies allow seniors the ability to choose the least restrictive environment of care. For example, the Congressman co-sponsored the Community Choice Act, which increases access to community-based healthcare services for older Americans in Medicare rather than requiring them to live the remainder of their life in long-term care facilities, and the Elder Care Tax Credit Act, which provides a tax credit for to lower expenses for families who care for their elders in the home.
Born and raised in Delaware County, former 3-star Admiral Joe Sestak served in the Navy for 31 years and now serves as the Representative from the 7th District of Pennsylvania. He led a series of operational commands at sea, including Commander of an aircraft carrier battle group of 30 U.S. and allied ships with over 15,000 sailors and 100 aircraft that conducted operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. After 9/11, Joe was the first Director of "Deep Blue," the Navy's anti-terrorism unit that established strategic and operations policies for the "Global War on Terrorism." He served as President Clinton's Director for Defense Policy at the National Security Council in the White House, and holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. According to the office of the House Historian, Joe is the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to the U.S. Congress.
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