[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CELEBRATING OLDER AMERICANS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2004

  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, communities around the country and in my 
district celebrated Older Americans Month this May. The theme for 2004 
was ``Aging Well, Living Well'', a goal I'm sure we all hope to achieve 
as we enter into our golden years. Every day in our country, some 6,000 
people turn age 65 and become eligible for Social Security, Medicare 
and other age-based entitlements. In less than 7 years, the daily tally 
of Americans celebrating their 65th birthday will increase by more than 
50 percent to 10,000 a day.
  It is in the spirit of Older Americans Month and our support for 
these individuals that I bring to my colleagues' attention the work of 
the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine. For more than 75 years, 
The Jackson Lab has worked tirelessly for the benefit of older 
Americans and has been at the forefront of discovering cures for human 
diseases. Their research into the specific diseases of old age as well 
as the overall mechanisms of aging have helped pave the way to 
important discoveries that serve to improve quality of life for all 
older Americans. As we take a moment to honor Older Americans, we 
should recognize those individuals and institutions that do all they 
can to enhance the human condition as we grow older.
  The good news is that many older Americans see retirement as a time 
to enjoy the fruits of their earlier labors. A 2002 survey by Peter D. 
Hart Research Associates found that more that 59 percent of individuals 
aged 50 and over see retirement as ``a time to be active and involved, 
to start new activities, and to set new goals.'' Recent studies, such 
as the MacArthur Foundation's ``Study of Aging in America'' demonstrate 
that engaging in life is a key component of successful aging. Americans 
are pleased and proud that in our country, most people are enjoying the 
blessings of longer and healthier lives. Meanwhile, we know that 
scientists searching for answers to the diseases of aging such as 
cancer and Alzheimer's are likely to succeed in adding even more 
healthy and vital years to the average life span.
  However, for many Americans, the concept of ``growing old 
gracefully'' is now, and will always be, unattainable. The combination 
of reduced income, increased health care needs, and decreased quality 
of life create more problems than opportunities for too many in our 
aging population. Over 5 million older Americans live at or near the 
poverty level. The median level of income is around $19,000 per year. 
At the same time, most older Americans have at least one chronic 
condition (such as hypertension or diabetes). These conditions 
contribute to increased health care costs at precisely the time when 
their incomes are reduced.

  Policymakers have a responsibility to better understand the 
challenging issues facing our country as we press the boundaries of 
human aging and health. What level of funding should Congress invest to 
further extend human longevity? What impact will longer and healthier 
lives have on the economy and on the costs of health care? It is part 
of our responsibility as legislators and representatives to stay 
informed at the crossroads of science and human aging. Sooner than we 
may expect, Congress may be called upon to render judgments in public 
policy on these issues. That is why I was so pleased to learn of The 
Jackson Laboratory's participation in a powerful new on-line forum 
called SAGE (for ``Science of Aging'') Crossroads 
(www.SAGECrossroads.net).
  Launched in March, 2003, www.SAGECrossroads combines the high 
journalistic standards of SCIENCE magazine, with the immediacy and 
interactivity of the Internet. A particularly exciting centerpiece of 
the project is a monthly debate that is webcast live to viewers who 
participate in these timely discussions as they are happening. Through 
this series of innovative and thought-provoking discussions, SAGE 
Crossroads invites researchers, policymakers and concerned citizens to 
interact with respected thought leaders. For example, Dr. David 
Harrison of the Jackson Lab recently participated in a debate entitled 
``Are Biomarkers the Key to the Fountain of Youth? `` This particular 
debate considered the issue of whether resources are better spent on 
seeking to cure the specific causes of various diseases, or whether to 
work to identify the key biomarkers of aging that might lead us to a 
better understanding of aging in its entirety. Other debate topics have 
ranged in recent months from contrasting views of life extending and 
life enhancing technologies to appropriate uses of information about 
individual genetic risks to disease. Through this forum, leaders in the 
aging research community address questions such as whether a person's 
age should count in rationing limited health care resources or whether 
public policy considerations impact the scope of scientific research.
  The people in my district, as well as people across the country, are 
very interested in what it will take to maintain health and enjoy a 
high quality of life as they age. As policymakers, we know that the 
forward march of the life sciences will raise as many questions as it 
settles. I urge my colleagues to draw upon the wisdom of some of our 
most provocative and learned thought leaders by signing on to 
www.SAGECrossroads.net and registering to participate in future 
debates.

                          ____________________