[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S6850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HEFLIN:
  S. 1902. A bill to provide for the establishment of National Senior 
Citizen Hall of Fame Commission, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Governmental Affairs.


         the national senior citizens hall of fame act of 1996

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, I rise to introduce a bill which will 
provide for the establishment of a National Senior Citizens Hall of 
Fame Commission. This concept grew out of an idea by Dr. Ruben Hanan, 
who chairs the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Commission, and Dr. 
Earl Potts.
  Each year, the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Commission 
bestows honor upon living Alabamians in recognition of their 
outstanding accomplishments, services, and contributions to the lives 
of older American citizens.
  The Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame was created by the Alabama 
State legislature in 1933, and has been very successful in inducting 
worthy individuals into the organization. I am delighted that Dr. Hanan 
and Dr. Potts came up with the idea of establishing a National Senior 
Citizens Hall of Fame. The National Hall of Fame will provide a forum 
to bestow honor and recognition upon deserving citizens for their 
outstanding accomplishments, services and contributions to the lives of 
older American citizens.
  Mr. President, the population of older Americans is projected to 
increase to 35 million by the year 2000. This means that older 
Americans would constitute 13 percent of the total population. As the 
national population is projected to exceed 300 million by the year 
2000, the senior population would drastically increase with the entry 
of the baby-boomers in the senior population. Therefore, by the year 
2030, the senior population will increase to approximately 70 million.
  Mr. President, the older population is growing. If we look back over 
the last few years, we will notice that in 1993, the age group between 
75 and 84 was 10,800,000. This was 14 times larger than in 1900. Every 
day, more than 5,000 individuals in the United States celebrate their 
65th birthday. Their mature judgment, keen insight, historical 
perspective, perceptive vision, and gifted leadership are invaluable to 
our Nation.
  By establishing a Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, we will have in place 
an organization that will recognize the contributions made by older 
American citizens to our Nation. I am delighted that the Alabama Senior 
Citizens Hall of Fame Commission, which has contributed greatly to the 
well being of thousands of Alabamians, will serve as a model for this 
national entity. In addition, the Alabama Hall of Fame Commission has 
improved the quality of life of those in need, and many have served in 
the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
  Finally, a National Senior Citizens Hall of Fame will also honor 
patriotic Americans for their spirit of loyalty and selfless labor in 
serving the needs of the people of our Nation.
  I urge the entire Congress to join me in the adoption of this 
important legislation.
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