[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 69 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5020]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, since 1963 when President Kennedy 
began this important tradition, May has been designated ``Older 
Americans Month,'' a time set aside each year for our country to honor 
senior citizens for their many accomplishments and contributions to our 
Nation.
  Those of us who have worked diligently in the U.S. Senate to ensure 
that older Americans are able to live in dignity and independence 
during their retirement years, look forward to this opportunity to 
pause and reflect on the contributions of those individuals who have 
played such a major role in the shaping of our great Nation. We honor 
them for their hard work and the countless sacrifices they have made 
throughout their lifetimes, and look forward to their continued 
contributions to our country's welfare.
  Today's senior citizens have witnessed more technological advances 
than any other generation in our Nation's history. Seniors today have 
lived through economic depressions and recessions, times of war and 
peace, and incredible advancements in the fields of science, medicine, 
transportation and communications. It is imperative that we address the 
needs of these Americans who have devoted so much of their life 
experience and achievement to the betterment of our society. The 
celebration of Older Americans Month provides us with the opportunity 
to highlight the importance of reauthorizing the Older Americans Act. 
As a vigorous and consistent supporter of measures to benefit senior 
citizens, I am pleased to be a past cosponsor and strong supporter of 
this important legislation. First enacted in 1965, the Older Americans 
Act has evolved from its original mandate to promote independent living 
among those older citizens with the greatest social and economic need 
into today's dynamic network of community and home-based services so 
critical to many of our Nation's seniors.
  The need for such legislation becomes especially apparent in light of 
current demographic trends. Senior citizens today comprise more than 12 
percent of the country's population. Baby boomers, who represented one-
third of all Americans in 1994, will enter the 65-years-and-older 
category over the next 13-34 years, substantially increasing this 
segment of our population. In my own State of Maryland, more than 
768,400 individuals are over the age of 60, representing 15 percent of 
Maryland's total population. By the year 2020, that percentage is 
expected to increase to just over 23 percent. These demographic 
transformations pose significant challenges and opportunities and the 
Older Americans Act provides an excellent framework from which to 
address these challenges as we move into the next century. It is not 
enough to just honor our senior citizens. We must continue to enact 
meaningful legislation which will help meet the needs of this valuable 
and constantly expanding segment of our society.
  The theme of this year's celebration is ``Caregiving: Compassion in 
Action.'' In my view, it is most appropriate that--as the percentage of 
the population over age 65 continues to grow--we take this opportunity 
to focus on how we, as a society, will care for our seniors. It is, 
therefore, incumbent upon us all to be prepared to both understand and 
address the needs of our seniors as they become an increasingly larger 
segment of American society. Many of us are already addressing this 
serious need. The Administration on Aging estimates that each day, as 
many as five million senior citizens in the United States are 
recipients of care from more than 22 million informal caregivers. As 
programs such as Medicare and Medicaid continue to feel the pressures 
of the current Federal budget process, the noble and compassionate work 
of these dedicated individuals is particularly critical.
  Mr. President, I have always believed strongly in the potential of 
this significant and growing population to contribute to the 
development of policies that effect all Americans. Our Nation's seniors 
are an ever-growing resource that deserves our attention, our 
gratitude, and our heart-felt respect. As observance of Older American 
Month comes to a close, I look forward to working with my colleagues in 
the Senate in implementing public policies which affirm the 
contributions of older Americans to our society and ensure that they 
continue to thrive with dignity.

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