H.Res. 1002

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1002 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1002

Recognizing the value of the Older Americans Act of 1965 nutrition 
program in addressing hunger, malnutrition, and isolation, and 
improving the health and quality of life for millions of our Nations 
seniors each year.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 15, 2026

Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr. 
Kelly of Pennsylvania, Ms. Davids of Kansas, Ms. Lois Frankel of 
Florida, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. Cohen, Mrs. Dingell, 
Mr. Bishop, Ms. Norton, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Panetta, Ms. Stevens, and Mr. 
Morelle) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the value of the Older Americans Act of 1965 nutrition 
program in addressing hunger, malnutrition, and isolation, and 
improving the health and quality of life for millions of our Nations 
seniors each year.

Whereas, on March 22, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed into law Public Law 
92-258, which amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 (OAA) and 
established a national nutrition program for individuals 60 years and 
older;
Whereas thousands of local senior nutrition programs, both congregate and home-
delivered, are funded through the OAA nutrition program;
Whereas these programs provide a vital lifeline to millions of older adults and 
individuals with disabilities in communities across the United States 
who may be homebound and isolated, struggling with hunger and 
malnutrition;
Whereas local OAA nutrition programs provide nutritious meals, socialization, 
friendly visits, and wellness and safety checks through volunteers and 
staff to individuals who suffer from long-term chronic conditions, as 
well as to those who may need short-term assistance;
Whereas the official purposes of the OAA nutrition program are to--

(1) reduce hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition;

(2) promote socialization of older individuals; and

(3) promote the health and well-being of older individuals by assisting 
such individuals to gain access to nutrition and other disease prevention 
and health promotion services that can delay the onset of adverse health 
conditions resulting from poor nutritional health or sedentary behavior;

Whereas the OAA nutrition program reduces other costs to taxpayers, primarily 
lowering Medicare and Medicaid expenditures by helping to--

(1) prevent falls;

(2) avoid unnecessary hospital transports, admissions, and 
readmissions;

(3) expedite recovery from illness; and

(4) delay or prevent institutionalization;

Whereas local OAA nutrition programs are proven, valuable, and effective public-
private partnerships that leverage private, corporate, and individual 
donations and other non-Federal funding sources to operate their 
services efficiently and successfully; and
Whereas the over-60 population of the United States is rapidly growing and 
projected to increase significantly every year for the next several 
decades, causing a similar increase in the need and demand for local OAA 
nutrition program services: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes and values the important work of local Older 
Americans Act of 1965 (OAA) nutrition programs nationwide in 
giving voice to millions of our Nation's seniors each year, 
improving their quality of life and addressing senior hunger, 
malnutrition, and isolation;
(2) recognizes and values the important role that local OAA 
nutrition programs and national organizations play in 
increasing awareness of the growing unmet need for these 
programs and in raising additional non-Federal funds and 
soliciting volunteers to support and assist the important 
missions of these programs;
(3) recognizes and values volunteers as the backbone of the 
OAA nutrition program, noting that they deliver nutritious 
meals to seniors and individuals with disabilities who are at 
significant risk of hunger, malnutrition, and isolation, and 
provide caring concern and attention to the welfare of program 
participants; and
(4) encourages Members of Congress to support their local 
OAA nutrition programs by--
(A) delivering meals to homebound seniors or 
serving them in a congregate setting with a program in 
their district or State; and
(B) working to secure sustained Federal funding for 
the OAA nutrition program that will allow local 
providers to keep pace with increased program costs and 
demand.
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