[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 78 (Friday, May 23, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S7130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                  RECOGNITION OF OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
America's senior citizens. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy 
designated May ``Older Americans Month'' to acknowledge the 
accomplishments of our Nation's elder generations. I welcome this 
opportunity to pause and reflect on the contributions of those 
individuals who have played such a major role in shaping our great 
Nation. For those of us in the Senate who have worked to ensure that 
the members of America's ``greatest generation'' will be able to enjoy 
their later years with dignity and independence, this is a chance to 
honor them for their hard work and the countless sacrifices they have 
made during their lifetimes, and to look forward to their continued 
contributions to the welfare of our country.
  Today's senior citizens have witnessed more technological advances 
than any other generation in our Nation's history. Seniors today have 
lived through times of extreme economic depression and prosperity, 
times of war and peace, and have seen incredible advancements in the 
fields of science, medicine, transportation and communications. They 
have embraced these new technologies and used them to further develop 
their vital roles in America's communities. Older Americans are working 
and volunteering far beyond the traditional retirement age to give 
younger generations the benefit of their wisdom and experience. 
Moreover, they are in much better health than their counterparts in 
previous generations and far less likely to be impoverished, disabled, 
or confined to nursing homes.
  Recent census figures reveal that the number of older Americans 
continues to grow. The population of those 85 and older grew 37 percent 
during the 1990s, while the Nation's overall population increased only 
13 percent. Approximately 35 million people 65 and older were counted 
in the 2000 census as well as 50,500 Americans who were 100 or older. 
Baby boomers, who represented one-third of all Americans in 1994, will 
enter the 65-years-and-older category over the next 13 to 34 years, 
substantially increasing this segment of our population.
  These figures reinforce the need to demonstrate our commitment to 
programs such as Medicare and Social Security, and to stimulate 
investment in biomedical research and treatments that are improving the 
lives of older Americans. One of our national goals must be to ensure 
all older Americans benefit from these improvements. In Congress, we 
must ensure our legislative priorities reflect our dedication to the 
support that older Americans deserve. This includes expanding and 
strengthening those programs that effectively aid older Americans, and 
addressing those that fall short of assisting this valuable and 
constantly expanding segment of our society. I have worked with my 
colleague from Maryland, Senator Mikulski, in her efforts to provide a 
$5,000 tax credit for individuals with chronic care needs. I regret 
this credit was not included in this year's budget resolution but I 
will continue to support her efforts to see that Congress passes the 
Family Caregivers Tax Credit Act.
  By 2020, Medicare will be responsible for covering nearly 20 percent 
of the population. Though Medicare meets the health care needs of 
millions of Americans, it was created in a different time before the 
benefits of prescription medicines had become such an integral part of 
health care. Sixty percent of Medicare beneficiaries lack affordable, 
prescription drug coverage. Although people 65 and older are 12.5 
percent of the population, they fill 34 percent of all prescriptions. 
Today it is impossible to imagine quality health care coverage that 
does not include affordable medicines to treat and prevent illness.
  I have and will continue to fight for Medicare prescription drug 
coverage for all seniors. Earlier this year, I again cosponsored 
legislation to provide coverage of outpatient prescription drugs under 
the Medicare program and to provide greater access to affordable 
medications. I recognize the predicament of many older Americans as 
they struggle to live independently on a fixed income and at the same 
time spend money on costly prescription drugs. The tremendous advances 
in biomedical research that have led to life-saving drugs and 
treatments are of little use if the population that stands to benefit 
the most cannot afford them. It is imperative that we address the needs 
of the Americans who have sacrificed so much for the benefit of our 
society. Like all Americans, they deserve access to comprehensive 
health care.
  One of the strengths that I admire most about older generations is 
their devotion and concern for younger Americans. As we face the 
dilemma of funding Social Security and some of my colleagues make 
proposals to privatize the program, older Americans have been the most 
outspoken advocates of ensuring its existence for future generations. 
Their determination to preserve this important social insurance program 
is not weakened by questionable reports that privatization proposals 
would not alter or reduce their benefits. Instead, they fight on, 
trying to ensure the benefits of Social Security will be there for 
others for years to come. I support their efforts and strongly oppose 
altering the fundamental social insurance nature of the current system, 
the strength of which is the guaranteed benefit concept. It is our 
responsibility as legislators to make certain that this Nation's fiscal 
priorities reflect our enormous appreciation for America's senior 
citizens.
  I continue to be impressed with the degree to which our elders 
contribute to American society. Our Nation's older generations are an 
ever-growing resource that deserve our attention, our gratitude, and 
our heartfelt respect. In accordance with President Kennedy's vision of 
Older Americans Month as a time to honor our older generations, I look 
forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to implement public 
policies that recognize their contributions to our society. We have the 
opportunity to ensure the well-being of this Nation's most respected 
citizens, and it is my sincere hope that we pursue it with the same 
vigor that America's seniors have demonstrated throughout their many 
years of service to our country.

                          ____________________