HOUSE RESOLUTION 4

(By Delegates Nestor, Kelly, Ridenour, Hillenbrand, Akers, Shamblin, Zatezalo, Marple, Mallow, Heckert, and Kump )

[Introduced January 23, 2024; Referred to the Committee on Senior, Children, and Family Issues then Rules]

Urging the United States Congress to provide additional funding for the provision of nutritional services to senior citizens.

Whereas, The Federal Administration on Aging provides funding to assist the State of West Virginia to offer certain services, activities, and programs to help older West Virginians maintain independence, honor, and dignity. West Virginia's Bureau for Senior Services is the entity responsible for implementing these programs in conjunction with the Federal Administration on Aging. One highly important service provided is nutritional assistance to seniors; and

Whereas, In the last several years, the cost of food has risen dramatically. Many counties in West Virginia have had to absorb large costs to provide the nutritional services according to these federal and state requirements. In turn, some counties are seeing shortfalls from the provision of these nutritional services to their residents; and

Whereas, Ensuring that West Virginia's elderly population receives proper nutrition is a fundamental priority, as well as seeing that the counties are not affected negatively to the point that the provision of other required services is affected; and, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates: That the Legislature urges federal lawmakers to work in good faith to address this issue; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States, the United States House of Representatives, and the members of West Virginia's congressional delegation.