[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 137 (Tuesday, October 25, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2163-E2164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE OLDER WOMEN'S LEAGUE ON ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 25, 2005

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to an organization with a 
great record of service to older and midlife women throughout the 
United States. For the past 25 years, the Older Women's League has 
worked tirelessly and successfully to protect and improve the economic, 
health and social equity needs of aging women. I ask all of my 
colleagues to join me in saluting the 25th anniversary of the Older 
Women's League, the only national grassroots organization in America to 
provide a voice to the over 58 million American women who are over the 
age of 40.
  Founded in 1980 following a White House Mini-Conference on Older 
Women in Des Moines, Iowa, the Older Women's League (OWL) has grown to 
over 40 local chapters and 4,500 members nationwide. The members of 
these local OWL chapters engage in nationwide education and advocacy 
campaigns to place issues of interest to older women in the public 
spotlight and on the legislative agenda.
  OWL members have worked diligently to highlight key older women's 
health issues including the Medicare prescription drug benefit, mental 
health awareness, osteoporosis and better nutrition. In addition, the 
organization has launched a recent campaign geared toward women of all 
ages, entitled ``Social Security Matters.'' This campaign educates 
women on the importance of Social Security and why privatization could 
jeopardize their retirement.
  Perhaps one of the most important initiatives that OWL undertakes 
each year is the OWL Mother's Day Report. The first OWL Mother's Day 
Report was released shortly after the organization's inception and 
provides an in-depth analysis of a particular matter of concern to 
older and midlife women ranging in subjects from Caregiving to Age and 
Sex Discrimination in America's Labor Force.
  Another important accomplishment for which OWL has been nationally 
recognized has

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been the establishment of the Older Americans' Mental Health Week, 
which occurs during the last full week of May each year. This yearly 
public awareness campaign is designed to highlight the many 
misperceptions associated with mental illness and aging. To bring 
national attention to mental health, OWL partners with several mental 
health and senior citizen organizations, including the American 
Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, American Society on Aging, AARP, 
American Association of People with Disabilities, Depression and 
Bipolar Support Alliance and Families for Depression Awareness.
  Finally, it has been an honor to have a local advocate for OWL at our 
side, Betty Perry. Betty Perry has been instrumental at the Sacramento 
OWL chapter and OWL of California in providing a powerful voice for 
older women in regards to prescription drug benefits, equal pensions 
for older women and fighting against Social Security privatization.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the Older Women's 
League's 25 years of advocacy and empowerment of women. I am confident 
that this organization will continue to play a crucial role in bringing 
national attention to issues affecting midlife and older women. I ask 
all of my colleagues to join with me in wishing the Older Women's 
League continued success in all its future endeavors.

                          ____________________