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. § 3001 et seq.) and Medicare, Pub. L. 89-97 (42 U.S.C. § 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.

L. 1988, c. 139, s. 1.