[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 149 (Thursday, September 18, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9038-S9039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 666--RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF 
                          THE FOUNDING OF AARP

  Mr. ROBERTS (for himself, Mr. Salazar, Ms. Collins, Mr. Lugar, Mrs.

[[Page S9039]]

Dole, Mr. Specter, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Hagel, 
Mr. Smith, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Byrd, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. 
Bingaman, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Nelson, of Nebraska, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. 
Whitehouse, Mr. Casey, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Levin, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Landrieu, 
Mr. Kerry, Mr. Harkin, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Durbin, and Mr. Nelson of 
Florida) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 666

       Whereas AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with 
     more than 40,000,000 members that is dedicated to improving 
     the quality of life of people who are 50 years of age or 
     older;
       Whereas Ethel Percy Andrus, a retired educator from 
     California, founded AARP in 1958 to promote independence, 
     dignity, and purpose for older people in the United States 
     and to encourage current and future generations ``to serve, 
     not to be served'';
       Whereas the vision of AARP is ``a society in which everyone 
     ages with dignity and purpose and in which AARP helps people 
     fulfill their goals and dreams'';
       Whereas the mission of AARP is to enhance the quality of 
     life of all people as they age, to promote positive social 
     change, and to deliver value to its members through 
     information, advocacy, and service;
       Whereas the nonpartisan advocacy activities of AARP help 
     millions of people participate in the legislative, judicial, 
     and administrative processes of the United States;
       Whereas AARP is a trusted source of reliable information on 
     health, financial security, and other issues important to 
     people 50 years of age and older;
       Whereas AARP provides an opportunity for volunteerism and 
     service so that its millions of members can better their 
     families, communities, and the Nation;
       Whereas AARP Services has become a leader in the 
     marketplace by influencing companies to offer new and better 
     services for the members of AARP;
       Whereas AARP Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AARP, 
     delivers information, education, and direct service programs 
     to the most vulnerable people in the United States aged 50 
     and over;
       Whereas the job placement program of AARP Foundation has 
     helped more than 400,000 low-income older people in the 
     United States find jobs, contributing to their sense of 
     purpose and dignity;
       Whereas the Driver Safety Program of AARP has helped more 
     than 10,000,000 older drivers sharpen their driving skills;
       Whereas 2008 is the 50th anniversary of the founding of 
     AARP; and
       Whereas, in honor of its 50th anniversary, AARP renewed its 
     commitment to improving the quality of life for all older 
     people in the United States and helping people of all 
     generations fulfill their goals and dreams: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends AARP for 50 years of outstanding service to 
     people aged 50 and older; and
       (2) recognizes AARP's commitment to serving future 
     generations.

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join with so many of my 
colleagues in supporting a resolution commemorating the 50th 
anniversary of the AARP.
  The 49 million members of the AARP take Government and public policy 
very seriously, and their association is a model of effective advocacy 
here in Washington. For instance, in the successful fight against the 
administration's attempt to privatize Social Security--a truly terrible 
idea that would have put Americans' retirement security at risk in the 
stock market casino--AARP was extraordinarily effective in marshalling 
facts, mobilizing experts, and educating members of Congress.
  Likewise, AARP does a great job of informing and educating its own 
members about critical issues being debated here in Washington. I don't 
believe in top-down politics; I believe in bottom-up politics. And so 
does the AARP. The organization has members in virtually every 
neighborhood in the United States. It mobilizes old-fashioned people 
power in order to hold Government accountable. It takes on the 
powerful, entrenched interests when those interests attempt to trample 
on the rights of ordinary people.
  AARP as an institution is an invaluable resource to us here in 
Congress. Just as AARP keeps its members informed about what is 
happening in Washington, it also closely monitors the concerns and 
wishes of its members so it can better represent them in Washington. 
Just this week, I chaired a hearing about the things that 401(k) 
participants and beneficiaries need to know about the fees they are 
paying. AARP was right there with the results of a timely survey of its 
members about what disclosure is most useful and understandable to 
them.
  The staff at AARP pay close attention to every regulatory move, every 
newspaper article, every important hearing or meeting that could have 
some impact on older Americans. They are truly a wealth of information.
  I am grateful for their active engagement on Capitol Hill, because, 
as our population ages, it is critical that we be attuned to the impact 
of our policies on older people and retirees. When we make policy and 
pass laws on everything from health care, to the economy, to improving 
workplace options for the millions of seniors who want or need to 
continue working, we have a tremendous resource in the AARP.
  I would particularly like to thank the AARP for its assistance to me 
and my staff on some of our key legislative priorities, including 
improving retirement security; moving our health care system toward a 
greater emphasis on wellness and prevention; combating age 
discrimination in the workplace; preserving and strengthening Social 
Security; and ending the institutional bias in Medicare and Medicaid so 
that elderly people and people with disabilities can live in their own 
homes rather than nursing homes.
  I look forward to continuing this rich collaboration with the 
outstanding professionals who staff and lead the AARP. I salute the 
people at AARP for the great job they do representing the interests of 
older Americans and retirees. It has been a remarkable first 50 years. 
In the years ahead, I wish them even greater success in increasing 
economic opportunities and retirement security for older Americans.

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