[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 15, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4941-S4943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 553--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT CONGRESS 
   SHOULD UNWAVERINGLY UPHOLD THE DIGNITY AND INDEPENDENCE OF OLDER 
                               AMERICANS

  Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Mr. Lieberman) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 553

       Whereas older Americans are a diverse group of men and 
     women who have worked hard throughout their lives to provide 
     for their families and defend the United States during 
     critical periods in history;
       Whereas older Americans deserve a dignified, secure, and 
     independent retirement for the years of service they have 
     provided to the United States;
       Whereas the percentage of the United States population that 
     is 65 years of age or older is rapidly expanding, 
     particularly veterans;
       Whereas many Americans are living longer, working longer, 
     and enjoying healthier, more active lifestyles than past 
     generations;
       Whereas older Americans rely heavily on Federal programs 
     such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and, for 
     veterans, TRICARE, for financial security and high-quality, 
     affordable health care;
       Whereas the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et 
     seq.) provides Federally-funded community-based social 
     services and nutritional support programs to more than 
     10,000,000 older Americans each year;
       Whereas notwithstanding Federal programs, older Americans 
     experience greater financial losses during economic downturns 
     and are subject to higher incidences of poverty, hunger, and 
     homelessness;
       Whereas older Americans seek to leave a legacy of a strong 
     and stable economy to future generations that maintains a 
     commitment to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the 
     provision of benefits to veterans;
       Whereas older Americans are increasingly the victims of 
     fraud, scams, exploitation, and even physical abuse, actions 
     that threaten the dignity, financial security, and access

[[Page S4943]]

     to quality health care of older Americans; and
       Whereas the 111th Congress has passed legislation that--
       (1) protects the dignity of older Americans by 
     strengthening efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in 
     Medicare and Medicaid; and
       (2) prevents irresponsible lending practices that target 
     older Americans and threaten to erode the resources that 
     older Americans have worked their entire lives to save: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that Congress 
     should unwaveringly uphold the dignity and independence of 
     older Americans by supporting efforts that guarantee for the 
     older Americans--
       (1) financial security;
       (2) quality and affordable health and long-term care;
       (3) protection from abuse, scams, and exploitation;
       (4) a strong economy now and for future generations; and
       (5) safe and livable communities with adequate housing and 
     transportation options.

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