2068 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 10, 1983 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS PET OWNERSHIP FOR THE EL trained to pick up dropped objects, and he had to turn to public housing, DERLY AND HANDICAPPED-A carry things from one person to an Tammy, was not allowed in. Frank is RIGHTFUL NEED IN FEDERAL other, fetch a newspaper and bark on now forced to hide Tammy until some LY FUNDED HOUSING command for protection or as a call one can be found to adopt the aging for help. Dogs serving the deaf and animal; if not, then he must be put to HON. MARIO BIAGGI disabled are legally recognized in Ari sleep. A humane solution for Tammy, OF NEW YORK zona and California and have the same perhaps, but certainly not for Frank. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES privileges as seeing eye dogs. As the rental housing demand inten One of the more significant demo sifies, so too does the pressure mount Thursday, February 10, 1983 graphic factors identified in the 1980 for vacancies to be established and too • Mr. BIAGGI. Mr. Speaker, as an census was the dramatic increase in often it is the elderly and disabled original member of the House Select the number of elderly persons living tenant who owns a pet who receives Committee on Aging, I have today re alone. Today in this country, there are the notice for eviction. introduced legislation of special impor 7. 7 million persons aged 65 and over It is important to note that my legis tance to me. The bill would prohibit living alone-this number is roughly lation fully recognizes that pet owner Federal housing assistance to any one-third of the total number of elder ship is not a right without responsibil housing project for the elderly and ly people in this Nation. In our re ities. My bill clearly states: handicapped if such projects do not search on the Select Committee on Nothing in this Act shall prevent the allow tenants to have pets. Aging, we have come across far too owner of rental housing-or the local hous My bill, which was H.R. 2441 in the many examples of elderly persons ing authority or any other appropriate au 97th Congress, has as its main purpose being sent to nursing homes simply be thority of the community where the hous to establish the basic right of millions cause of a lack of companionship. In ing is located from requiring the removal of elderly and handicapped persons to some instances, this isolation and lone from any rental housing of any pet whose own pets in federally subsidized hous liness which can contribute to poor conduct or condition is duly determined to ing. When we speak of pets for the el health for a senior citizen can be alle constitute a threat to the health or safety derly and handicapped, we are dealing viated by allowing pet ownership. of the other occupants of the housing or of with much more than a convenience. This legislation is purposely limited other persons in the community where the Studies done such as one by Dr. Erika in scope as a means of being able to housing is located. Friedmann of the University of Penn assess its impact. The bill is limited in Perhaps a better description of my sylvania indicate that good health is scope to housing projects assisted intent is that my bill seeks to bring to directly related to human/companion under section 202 of the Housing Act gether the responsible pet owners and animal bond. A study of 92 heart pa of 1959, to those assisted under the the reasonable landlord. tients found those who owned pets Housing Act of 1937, or title V of the There is growing local and State had a significant higher chance of sur Housing Act of 1949 which has a ma action being directed at this issue. viving 1 year than those who did not. jority of its tenants who are elderly In Fort Wayne, Ind.; Palm Beach Today in the United States, pets are and handicapped families-as defined County, Fla.; Albuquerque, N.Mex., being used more and more to curb the in section 202(d)(4) of the Housing Act and Multnomah County, Oreg., re feelings of loneliness often associated of 1959. It seems only appropriate that duced fees have been set for pet li with the aged. Another study done by if we are going to provide Federal tax censes or pet neutering surgery for Dr. Boris Levinson, a pioneer in the assistance to respective housing owners 65 and older. The Mobile, Ala., study of human/animal bond at Ye units-that these finds not contribute SPCA-an animal welfare agency shiva University and a board member in any form to discrimination against staffed by volunteers-helps elderly of the New York Humane Society, tenants because of pet ownership. people by transporting their pets to points out that the elderly often I grow concerned and distressed veterinarians. The Animal Medical suffer from a loss of relatives and when I read of elderly and/or disabled Center in New York City offers free withdraw from active participation in persons being evicted from their care for pets belonging to elderly human affairs. Objects and animals homes or apartments because of pet people with limited incomes. During which provided security in early life ownership. Many elderly people face the past winters, the Morris County, may assume greater importance in "pet eviction" because rental space is N.J., Welfare Department has boarded their later life. The animals may scarce and vacancy decontrol are in the pets of elderly people who had to indeed become an anchor for good picture. Landlords may employ dor be given temporary housing when mental health. mant no-pet clauses as a means of they could not pay their heating bills. In urban areas, elderly pet owners evicting long-time tenants to free A few years ago, the Minnesota may not only experience the feeling of apartments for new occupants-and State Legislature passed a bill to safety by having a pet by their side, thus substantial rent increases. Some permit nursing homes to keep pets on but would-be muggers and criminals times-as in the case of Alice Marstel the premises. In Boston, the American may be warded off by the sight of a lar, a 77-year-old Florida woman who Humane Education Society and the dog with his master. For the disabled, actually lost her "will to live" after Junior League jointly developed and pets can aid in improving mobility being forced to surrender her beloved operate a pet adoption program which while also providing important protec terrier, Sparky-this results in death. has placed animals in 22 institutional tion from crime. In Arizona, a non Another case comes to mind of Frank, settings for the elderly. profit organization called Handi-Dogs a disabled senior citizen whose 9-year At this point, California has the provides training classes for deaf, dis old dog, Tammy. provided him with only State law establishing the rights abled, and senior citizens, in which the only companionship and exercise of elderly pet owners in housing or op they are taught to obedience train for a man confined to a wheelchair in erated by any public agency-city, their dogs for companionship, protec a second floor apartment. When State or Federal. Several other tion, and assistance. These dogs are Frank's building turned condominium, States-Connecticut, New York, Mary-
e This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by the Member on the floor. February 10, 1983 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2069 land, and New Jersey have all intro Professor emeritus Boris Levinson is a pio Twenty-eight percent confide in them and duced legislation but none have been neer in the study of the human/companion talk about their day. Seventy-eight percent successful as of yet. Media also has animal bond at Yeshiva University in New say animals understand them and are sensi become involved with this issue. A York City. He believes that animal compan tive to their moods and feelings. One ions are crucial to older people. woman says very seriously. "After God, my recent "60 Minutes" segment was de "A person may find himself in a situation dachshund is my best friend." She means it. voted to the idea of pets being used for where he has lost his family and friends," According to author Patricia Curtis, "A therapy, and a recent made-for-televi says Levinson. "He may have retired. The pet is uncritical. The dog or cat loves you sion movie was aired about Skeezer, a woman no longer has a household to run. whether you're tall, short, fat, thin, strong dog who helped mentally disturbed The concept of a worthwhile individual may or weak." children find themselves. deteriorate. This loss of self-approval, com Curtis adds, "People depend on pets as pounded by loneliness, may create consider much as pets depend on people. It's some A resolution allowing the elderly and able havoc with the personality." disabled to keep pets in federally times easier to trust affection from a pet." Levinson also believes that interaction Dr. Anna Cain of the University of Mary funded housing was passed during the with pets can retard the aging process. land conducted a survey of people's reac 1981 White House Conference on Joe Bridges is a typical example. He walks tions to their pets. She learned that 87 per Aging. The resolution, which supports his Irish setter daily and has improved his cent considered pets members of the family, my bill, was passed by a near 2-to-1 own health as a result. More important, the dog has given him a reason for being, just as saying they felt closer to their pets than to majority in the committee, and was his friend in the dog obedience class com any other family member. In one study Dr. also approved by the entire confer mented about her new pet. Aaron Katcher found, that 98 percent of ence. Dr. Aaron Katcher, a psychiatrist former those responding spent time talking to their While I recognize that the passage ly at the University of Pennsylvania, is very animals. involved in the human/animal companion Katcher adds, however, "Pets aren't sub of this legislation may be difficult, I stitutes for human beings, but they do offer would hope that it will produce some bond. He conducted a survey of 92 coronary patients. A year after their discharge from a relationship that other people do not pro justification for some national demon the University of Maryland Hospital in Bal vide: companionship, something to care for, stration programs under the Secretary timore, three of the 53 pet owners had died. to keep busy with, to warmly touch and of HUD's discretionary budget to Among the 39 with no pets there were 11 fondle, to make you feel safe." allow pet ownership in federally subsi deaths. Nowhere are pets more appreciated than dized housing for the elderly and Dog ownership almost forces owners to in nursing homes, where the results have handicapped. We cannot operate on exercise, which is an important acitivity for been happy, pleasant, and in some in the assumption that discrimination on patients with coronary artery disease. stances, startlingly dramatic. the basis of pet ownership is right and Maggie Sutton found that taking her fox The Latham Foundation in Alameda, Cali terrier first to dog obedience school, and fornia, is a nonprofit organization that should be continued. To the contrary, then on walks around the neighborhood, exists to promote respect for every living it would be far more consistent if we broadened her social life. thing through education. Its newsletter re were to approve this bill and rid our "I met my neighbors when they stopped ports on people-pet partnerships and utiliz selves of still another form of discrimi to pet Foxy and found new friends. As a ing pets in therapy. The foundation actively nation against the elderly and the dis result, I go to church regularly with a lady I promotes pet companionship programs for abled. We have ample precedent with met because of Foxy, and other new friends the elderly and for people who live in nurs such landmark laws as section 504 of invite me to Sunday dinner," she says with ing homes. satisfaction. New programs are constantly starting, the Rehabilitation Act and the 1978 "I feel having a pup saved my life, because with Massachusetts and Minnesota leading law ending mandatory retirement. I was really feeling suicidal. My husband the movement. The American Veterinary I would like to enclose a recent arti and I were married for more than 40 years. Medical Association has established a task cle which was placed in the American When he passed on, I couldn't find a single force to study details of the human/animal Association of Retired Persons maga reason for living. My son called long dis bond. zine, Modern Maturity, which best de tance one night and could tell I'd been Active programs are currently in progress scribes the vital need for the passage crying. It was his idea that I get a dog. in Colorado Springs; Wantagh, New York; of this legislation. "I went to the shelter and saw her. She Riverside and Monterey, California; Buffa was so tiny and helpless! I laughed for the lo, Minnesota; Chicago, Boston, Honolulu, IN A WARM Puppy, A NEW LEASE ON LIFE first time in weeks the day I brought her San Francisco and New York City.
11-059 0-87-23 (Pt. 2) 2070 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 10, 1983 Today, when the family unit has changed ate the balance-of-payments problems of in Beirut tossed Israel into a painful, considerably, it's warmly comfortable to re heavily debt-ridden countries and reduce soul-searching process. Certainly, the alize that the more things change, the more chances of default. Because of the stimula disaster at the refugee camps was a they are the same: happiness can still be tive economic effects, importers' increased found in a warm puppy or kitten. So can savings would outweigh the decrease for oil horrible and regrettable episode and mental health.• exporters. Interest rates would not rise, and cannot be quickly forgotten. But the the financial system would if anything be Israelis have asked themselves the stabilized. tough questions and have come up WHAT CHEAP OIL COULD DO Lower oil prices would push Mexico into with answers. Lebanon, on the other default, and other countries would follow hand, despite the obvious involvement suit. of the Lebanese Phalangists, has not HON. RICHARD L. OTTINGER Lower prices would cut Mexico's export OF NEW YORK revenues. But the total pool of the world's engaged in such a thorough investiga IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lendable funds would rise, while needs for tion. those funds would fall, since most countries There are very few countries in the Thursday, February 10, 1983 with debt problems are oil importers, not world that would willingly emulate e Mr. OTTINGER. Mr. Speaker, in exporters. As a result, a larger pool of re this process under similar circum last week's New York Times, there ap sources would be available to assist those stances. We ourselves would do well to peared a column by Robert Pindyck of few countries in Mexico's position. With re look at our own involvement in human sponsible allocation of financial resources, MIT concerning the recent disintegra Mexico would avoid default, and any list of rights violations throughout the world tion of OPEC's consensus, and the pos countries that might follow suit would be and ask some tough questions. sible benefits vis-a-vis oil prices. I greatly shortened. I believe that the issuance of the think that Mr. Pindyck makes some A drop in OPEC revenues would reduce report is indicative of Israel's commit excellent arguments, and that as we OPEC's imports from the industrial nations, ment to democracy in its own country react to OPEC's current difficulties in exacerbating the world-wide recession. and justice and peace for the region. maintaining their cartel, we view it in Yes, a drop in OPEC revenues would mean The United States is fortunate to be perspective. reduced OPEC ability to import goods and able to count Israel as a friend and services. But lower prices would augment I commend Mr. Pindyck's piece to the ability of all other countries to import ally. We should continue to strongly my colleagues' attention. them. The aggregate gains in import support Israel with economic, humani CHEAPER OIL'S BENEFITS demand would outweigh the OPEC de tarian, and military aid, since she has
11-059 0-87-24 (Pt. 2l 2102 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS February 10, 1983 available to the disappearing associa while, at the same time, ignoring the lowed to continue under a freeze. In tion. The amendment was intended to very conditions which will make that addition, other causes of increased affirm the ability of the Federal Home problem even worse when controls are prices will continue. This amendment, Loan Banks to continue requiring removed. for example, does nothing to prevent member institutions that are consoli A freeze on prices for any period of the kind of price increases which re dating to abide by the contractual time will simply set loose forces in our sults from the application of the incre terms of the advances of the disap economic system which will surface mental pricing provisions of the law. pearing party. Imposition of this re again with an ugly vengeance when The fact is that any freeze will really quirement is reasonable and necessary the freeze is removed. But, Mr. Speak begin to thaw even before it is in to enable the FHL banks to manage er, I might be willing to take that risk place. their lending on a rational and eco if I thought this amendment really That leads to my third point, Mr. nomic basis, and to avoid the ability of could ease our current pain. However, Speaker. A freeze will really not merging institutions to claim unbar the plain truth is that freeze proposal reduce consumer prices significantly. gained-for windfall benefits. does not even offer short-term relief. To begin with, a freeze can only con Mr. Speaker, this interpretation of Despite all the rhetoric, despite all the trol 45 cents of a 92-cent increase. And section 355 has been discussed with slogans, despite all the simplifications, even in the 45-cent area, it does not the gentleman from Ohio,