[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 855 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 855

   Commending the ``Trust in the Lives of Older Women'' program and 
   encouraging community organizations to participate in the program.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 16, 2004

Mr. Houghton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
              the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Commending the ``Trust in the Lives of Older Women'' program and 
   encouraging community organizations to participate in the program.

Whereas more than 42,000,000 women in the United States are over the age of 50 
        and nearly 16,000,000 of these women live alone;
Whereas 40 percent of women who are age 65 and older live alone and 50 percent 
        of women over the age of 75 live alone;
Whereas women over the age of 65 outnumber men over the age of 65 by 20,800,00 
        to 14,800,000;
Whereas in 1995, Dr. Ron Hofsess founded the ``Trust in the Lives of Older 
        Women'' program, a program which administers 4-week facilitated group 
        sessions with older women to help them address issues of importance in 
        their lives;
Whereas the Trust in the Lives of Older Women program is designed to enhance, 
        enrich, and promote well-being in the lives of older women;
Whereas through the program, women increase their mental stimulation and social 
        interaction in a positive and life-affirming environment;
Whereas Dr. Hofsess trains facilitators from community groups, such as religious 
        organizations, colleges and universities, and community centers, to lead 
        Trust in the Lives of Older Women sessions across the country;
Whereas the program enables women to share their life experiences and their 
        ``intuitive wisdom'' to solve common problems, increase their self-
        confidence, and build lasting relationships in a facilitated group 
        setting;
Whereas the sessions are not designed to discuss a single disease or issue but 
        rather to create an ongoing group support structure to address a wide 
        range of concerns and challenges these women face;
Whereas at the end of the 4-week sessions, the women can choose to continue 
        meeting as a group with their facilitator, which all have chosen to do 
        so far; and
Whereas the Trust in the Lives of Older Women program benefits older women by 
        providing them with social interaction and support and encouraging them 
        to remain healthy and continue contributing to their communities: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes that the ``Trust in the Lives of Older 
        Women'' program benefits older women by decreasing their 
        stress, isolation, anxiety, and depression and providing trust, 
        support, friendship, community, and mental stimulation;
            (2) commends the ``Trust in the Lives of Older Women'' 
        program for encouraging older women to stay healthy and to 
        continue making contributions to their communities; and
            (3) encourages community groups, including religious 
        organizations, colleges and universities, and community centers 
        to participate in the program by starting groups in their 
        communities.
                                 <all>