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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING LEGAL SERVICES FOR SENIORS
______
HON. JIMMY PANETTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask that my colleagues in
the House join me in congratulating Legal Services for Seniors on the
occasion of their 35th Anniversary. Beginning in 1985, Legal Services
for Seniors has been dedicated to facilitating attorneys and legal
advocates for senior residents of the 20th Congressional District of
California. More specifically, Legal Services for Seniors has a history
of providing no-cost legal representation to elderly low-income
individuals residing in Monterey County who would otherwise not have
access to the resources necessary for protecting their legal rights.
Legal Services for Seniors has made it their goal to address and
correct legal harm done to Monterey County seniors. They have offices
and outreach locations in Seaside, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Pacific
Grove, King City, Greenfield, Soledad, Gonzales, Castroville and
Monterey. Legal Services for Seniors' attorneys and advocates provide
free legal advice and complete legal representation to local seniors in
order to address legal problems including physical, financial, and
emotional abuse. More than 90,000 seniors have benefitted from no-cost
legal support over the past 35 years. Many of the issues are very
dramatic or life-threatening, and include abuse, Medicare, landlord-
tenant conflicts, medical and private insurance issues, Social Security
problems, consumer fraud, scams, identity theft, probate guardianships,
wills and advance health care directives. Thankfully, approximately
3,000 citizens are assisted with these issues each year by Legal
Services for Seniors. In 2018 alone, Legal Services for Seniors
restored one million dollars in property fraudulently appropriated by
the individuals which prey upon our seniors on the central coast of
California.
In addition to direct client representation, Legal Services for
Seniors provides community-wide presentations to approximately 2,000
seniors and their family members annually. These presentations provide
information regarding issues which are vital to seniors' wellbeing,
including recognizing and preventing elder abuse, scams, and consumer
fraud as well as providing resources for affordable housing and end of
life healthcare and decision-making. These services are crucial to
informing citizens of their rights and resources. Additionally, the
agency presents information on challenges faced by local seniors
through public service announcements, newspaper articles, resource
fairs, workshops, and other public venues.
Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the dedication and
commitment to compassion and justice that Legal Services for Seniors
provides to the 20th Congressional District. We are fortunate to have
this non-profit establishment call the Central Coast home as the only
nonprofit agency in Monterey County providing no-cost legal services to
our elderly residents. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating
the 35th Anniversary of Legal Services for Seniors.
____________________
