Findings, declarations

The Legislature finds and declares that: our nation as a whole, and our State in particular, have been experiencing the increase over time of greater numbers of senior citizens in proportion to the total population; our society is just beginning to understand the complex needs and problems related to aging; and at the present time, our State is spending approximately two billion dollars a year of State and federal funds for programs for senior citizens which include, programs administered under the federal "Older Americans Act of 1965," Pub. L. 89-73 (42 U.S.C. s. 3001 et seq.) and Medicare, Pub. L. 89-97 (42 U.S.C. s. 1395 et seq.), the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled Program established pursuant to P.L. 1975, c. 194 (C. 30:4D-20 et seq.), the "Lifeline Credit Program" established pursuant to P.L. 1979, c. 197 (C. 48:2-29.15 et seq.) and the "Tenants' Lifeline Assistance Program" established pursuant to P.L. 1981, c. 210 (C. 48:2-29.30). The Legislature further finds and declares that: it is extremely important for this State to lend ongoing support and resources to establish a research, teaching and information center for the study of gerontological policies, concerns and programs; this policy center on aging would create a focal point for State support of professional gerontological research in the State; and it is reasonable to assume that one of the many benefits of establishing a policy center on aging would be considerable cost savings to the State as the policy center attracts additional moneys from federal and private sources for gerontological research.