At the same time, the Elderbridge Agency on Aging of Mason City, Iowa, received a National Award for Excellence in Aging Programs. The award comes for a program in which community businesses loan cellular phones programmed with emergency numbers to low-income older Americans.
Grassley's remarks at the awards ceremony follow:
I'm honored to receive a national award from the U. S. Committee for the Celebration of the U. N. International Year of Older Persons 1999.
This award is very special to me. It is special because it is conferred by a group of our most outstanding leaders. They share my goal of improving life and opportunities for our older citizens.
They themselves have worked for many years to do just that. It is special also because I have worked very closely for many years with many of the Member Organizations of the U.S. Committee.
I'd like to compliment the U.S. Committee, and the Federal Committee, for the work they have done to make the International Year of Older Persons a success. It has been a large undertaking. Its theme expresses a well-considered goal: "Toward a Society for all Ages." The theme of today's meeting, "Positive Aging: A Goal for the Next Millennium," surely stresses a goal to which we can all aspire as we move forward together into the new century.
Some people might wonder how to translate these themes into action. I'm proud to have a shining example from my home state of Iowa. Rich Laurence and his wife, Jennifer, are here representing the Elderbridge Agency on Aging in Mason City, Iowa.
Rich pairs older citizens with new technology. He works with a local company to provide cellular phones to low-income older residents.
The phones are programmed with three numbers: 911, the Highway Patrol and the operator. Older citizens check out the phones for safety during car trips, or they keep them for emergencies if they live in isolated areas.
The local television station runs public service announcements about the phones. Through this effort, a community has marshaled its resources to protect its older citizens. This program provides those who may feel vulnerable with peace of mind. That commodity is invaluable.
It's gratifying to know that the innovative spirit thriving in Mason City, Iowa, also flourishes all over the country, and all over the world. Each pocket of light, taken together, illuminates our everything in our domain.