H.Res. 526 — Introduced in House

IV 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 526 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 27, 2014 Mr. Loebsack (for himself, Ms. Shea-Porter, Mr. Nadler, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms. Norton, Mr. Vela, Mr. Joyce, Ms. DeLauro, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Pocan, Mr. Rahall, Mr. Conyers, Mr. McGovern, Ms. Brown of Florida, Mr. Enyart, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Michaud, Mr. Deutch, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Cárdenas, Mrs. Negrete McLeod, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Reed, Mr. Latta, Mr. Wolf, and Mr. Shimkus) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce RESOLUTION Recognizing the important work of the Meals On Wheels Association of America and its member programs throughout the country in addressing senior hunger and improving the quality of life for millions of our nation’s seniors each year. Whereas the Meals On Wheels Association of America is the oldest and largest organization in the United States representing senior nutrition programs that provide nutritious meals to people in need; Whereas thousands of local, community-based Meals on Wheels programs provide a vital lifeline to millions of men and women in cities, suburban areas, and rural communities across America who are elderly, homebound, disabled, frail, or otherwise vulnerable and at risk; Whereas Meals on Wheels programs provide nutritious meals and social contact to individuals who suffer from long-term chronic conditions, as well as those who may just need short-term assistance; Whereas good nutrition is essential to good health and the meals provided by senior nutrition programs protect and contribute to the overall health and well-being of America's seniors; Whereas Meals on Wheels programs are proven and effective public-private partnerships saving significant taxpayer dollars in avoided hospital, health care and long-term care costs; Whereas Meals on Wheels programs serve this country's over 60 population, which is rapidly growing and projected to increase dramatically each year over the next several decades; Whereas the demand and need for the services Meals on Wheels programs provide will continue to increase at an astounding pace; Whereas Meals on Wheels programs are needed to free vulnerable seniors of hunger and social isolation; Whereas each March, chosen because it was during this month that the law that included senior nutrition programs in the Older Americans Act of 1965 was enacted, Meals on Wheels programs across the country conduct local, community-based March for Meals fundraising and awareness campaigns to further support their services; and Whereas Meals on Wheels programs across the country have recruited more than 2,000 Members of Congress, mayors, governors, local celebrities and community leaders as champions to help raise awareness for senior hunger and participate in March for Meals activities: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) recognizes the important work of the Meals On Wheels Association of America and its member programs throughout the country in addressing senior hunger and improving the quality of life for millions of our nation's seniors each year; (2) recognizes the important role the Meals On Wheels Association of America and its member programs throughout the country's March for Meals campaigns play in increasing awareness of the need for senior nutrition programs and in raising non-Federal funds and soliciting volunteers to support and assist these programs in accomplishing their important missions; (3) honors the Meals On Wheels Association of America and senior nutrition programs around the country for their continuing hard work and dedication on behalf of our nation's seniors; and (4) encourages Members of Congress to support their local senior nutrition programs by participating in their annual local March For Meals events and delivering meals to homebound seniors in a community within their district or State throughout the year.