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The Administration on Aging (AoA) celebrates the life of Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Throughout his career in the U.S. Senate, he worked tirelessly to support programs that assist older people, especially those programs that enable millions of older Americans and individuals with disabilities to live independently at home among their families and friends. Among those programs and services are those provided by the Older Americans Act, which operate in every community across our land with the help of AoA's national aging services network. Senator Kennedy had a personal commitment to nutrition programs for older Americans, in particular the home-delivered meals program for homebound and at-risk seniors which he helped to create in 1972. Senator Kennedy considered these senior meals programs to be “among our nation’s greatest successes,” reaching millions of older Americans in their own homes, neighborhoods and communities.
Senator Kennedy also strongly supported programs that harnessed the contributions of America’s senior citizens. He recognized that older Americans are a valuable asset to the communities in which they live. In April, President Obama signed the Kennedy Serve America Act into law, which expands service opportunities for Americans of all ages. We join the nation in mourning the passing of Senator Kennedy, and thank him for his unwavering commitment to helping those in need.
| Last Modified: 8/26/2009 3:24:42 PM |
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