IV 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1342 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 6, 2010 Ms. Schakowsky (for herself, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Arcuri, Ms. Berkley, Mr. Blumenauer, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mrs. Christensen, Ms. Clarke, Mr. Connolly of Virginia, Mr. Costello, Mr. Courtney, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Deutch, Mr. Doggett, Ms. Fudge, Ms. Giffords, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Hinojosa, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Holt, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Kaptur, Ms. Kilpatrick of Michigan, Mr. Klein of Florida, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Mr. Loebsack, Mr. Michaud, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Ms. Richardson, Mr. Rodriguez, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Schauer, Ms. Slaughter, Ms. Speier, Ms. Titus, Ms. Tsongas, Ms. Woolsey, Ms. DeLauro, and Mr. Foster) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor RESOLUTION Entitled the Seniors Bill of Rights.

Whereas older Americans are a diverse group of men and women who have worked hard all their lives to provide for their families and defend our Nation during critical periods in history and for their years of service deserve a dignified, secure, and independent retirement; Whereas the percentage of the United States population that is 65 years of age and older is rapidly expanding, including expanding percentages of aging Veterans; Whereas many Americans are living longer, working longer, and enjoying healthier, more active lifestyles than past generations; Whereas older Americans rely heavily on Federal programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and Tri-Care for Veterans to meet their needs for financial security and high quality, affordable health care; Whereas the Older Americans Act of 1965 is the primary Federal commitment providing community-based social services and nutritional support to elderly Americans and funds services for over 10,000,000 older Americans annually; Whereas notwithstanding Federal programs, older Americans experience greater financial losses in time of economic downturn and are subject to higher incidences of poverty, hunger, and homelessness; Whereas older Americans seek to leave a legacy of a strong and stable economy to future generations that maintains a commitment to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans benefits; Whereas older Americans are increasingly the victims of fraud, scams, exploitation, and even physical abuse that threaten their dignity, financial security, and access to quality health care; and Whereas this Congress has passed legislation to protect the dignity of older Americans by strengthening our efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid, and to prevent irresponsible lending practices that target elderly clients and that threaten to erode the resources that they have worked their entire lives to save: Now, therefore, be it

That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress should unwaveringly uphold the dignity and independence of older Americans by supporting efforts that guarantee for them— (1)financial security, (2)quality and affordable health and long-term care, (3)protection from abuse, scams, and exploitation, (4)a strong economy now and for future generations, and (5)safe and livable communities with adequate housing and transportation options.