[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 45 (Thursday, April 21, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 66--RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE 
                    NATIONAL SILVER-HAIRED CONGRESS

  Ms. MIKULSKI (for herself, Mr. Pryor, and Mr. Warner) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Labor and Human Resources:

                            S. Con. Res. 66

       Whereas many States have encouraged and facilitated the 
     creation of senior citizen legislative and advocacy bodies;
       Whereas in creating such bodies such States have provided 
     to many older Americans the opportunity to express concerns, 
     promote appropriate interests, and advance the common good by 
     influencing the legislation and actions of State government; 
     and
       Whereas a National Silver Haired Congress, with 
     representatives from each State, would provide a national 
     forum for a nonpartisan evaluation of grassroots solutions to 
     concerns shared by an increasing number of older Americans: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That the Congress hereby recognizes and 
     encourages the convening of an annual National Silver Haired 
     Congress in the District of Columbia.

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution that 
deserves special attention. I am submitting a resolution to establish a 
national silver-haired congress. As Chair of the Aging Subcommittee, I 
am joined by Senator Pryor--the Chair of the Special Committee on 
Aging--in sponsoring this important piece of legislation.
  What is a national silver-haired congress? Well, it is the vision of 
a truly inspirational group of seniors. Beginning back in 1973, a group 
of Missouri seniors got together and decided to get involved. They 
formed a silver-haired legislature. They modeled their legislature 
after the State's and took up pieces of legislation that affected 
seniors.
  That was 1973. Today nearly half the States have a silver-haired 
legislature. Seniors all over the country have set up mock State 
legislatures. They take bills through the entire legislative process 
and present their bills that pass to their State Legislators. These 
recommendations are taken very seriously.
  The silver-haired legislatures have helped in the passage of many 
programs: from consumer protection and crime prevention to health care, 
housing, and long-term care.
  I am submitting today a resolution to create a national silver-haired 
congress. Based on the experience of the silver-haired legislatures in 
the States, a silver-haired congress will provide a national forum for 
aging issues--a forum patterned after the U.S. Congress. It will be 
completely staffed by older Americans, and serve to address a broad 
range of seniors issues. Like us, a silver-haired congress would be 
comprised of 100 Senators and 435 Representatives. But unlike us, all 
the members will serve without pay and convene in Washington at their 
own expense. Members will be elected only by seniors 60 years old and 
older.
  Older Americans across the country are anxious to volunteer 
themselves in an effort to provide nationwide visibility of aging 
issues and to promote intergenerational issues. A national silver-
haired congress provides this wonderful opportunity and I propose that 
we crate a national silver-haired congress today.
  With no cost whatsoever to the American public, a national silver-
haired congress will provide a national forum for issues of concern to 
older Americans. The input and counsel that a forum like this will 
provide to the U.S. Congress is invaluable. Bills affecting seniors 
will go through the legislative process by seniors themselves--a 
process that will clearly provide a wealth of insight and guidance to 
lawmakers. This is a tremendous opportunity for Congress to engage in 
an ongoing dialog with informed seniors contributing to legislation 
affecting seniors.
  The population of older Americans is growing at a faster rate than 
any other age group. As this elderly population grows, it is important 
that we encourage a silver-haired congress to continue their important 
role in serving as a supportive link between the expanding elderly 
population and what becomes law. The input of a silver-haired congress 
could be crucial in meeting the needs of today's senior citizens.
  It is then with great enthusiasm and excitement that I submit this 
resolution, and ask my colleagues to support this wonderful proposal 
for a national silver-haired congress.

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