Congressman Henry Cuellar Rallies For Senior Citizens

CONGRESSMAN HENRY CUELLAR RALLIES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Washington, DC- Congressman Henry Cuellar rallied alongside Laredo's senior citizens today to lend his support for the valuable Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) currently being threatened by the Administration's drastic budget cuts.

The CSFP which serves as some seniors' sole source of nutrition is scheduled for complete elimination by October 1st. This is a true tragedy as thousands of impoverished seniors throughout Webb and Zapata Counties depend on this service for food. Hundreds of local seniors, many representing various senior citizen groups, held a peaceful demonstration of solidarity against these harmful budget cuts. Local seniors applauded Congressman Cuellar's unyielding efforts to restore funding to programs important to our senior citizens health and well being.

In an effort to preserve federal assistance to our seniors, Congressman Cuellar has signed legislation which reauthorizes both congregate and home-delivered nutrition services for homebound seniors. It also reauthorizes additional funds to states based on their share of total meals served in that state the prior year. Texas has the fourth largest population of senior citizens in the nation with over 2.7 million residing here and approximately 19,793 living in Laredo.

Congressman Cuellar noted "I have fought for this program from the very beginning and I intend to continue my efforts to ensure that our seniors are cared for. Cutting programs that benefit them is unconscionable and inexcusable, and I will not allow it to happen without a strong fight."

Richard Noriega, head of Community Relations at the South Texas Food Bank commented "The CSFP touches so many lives in our community that to do away with it now would be an injustice. These gatherings help solidify the message that we need to not forget about our seniors. Congressman Cuellar is a true friend of the people of this area. He not only goes above but beyond."

The rally took place this morning in Laredo at 1300 Matamoros at 8:30 AM CST. Today marked the first ever SOS - Save our Seniors Awareness Rally.

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Budget and Agriculture committees in the 109th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care and economic development are his priorities

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/tx28_cuellar/060501a.html