[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 110 (Thursday, July 21, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S4811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DESIGNATING 2011 AS ``THE YEAR OF THE FAMILY CAREGIVER''

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 235, submitted earlier 
today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The bill clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 235) designating 2011 as ``The Year 
     of the Family Caregiver.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise today in support of this 
resolution recognizing 2011 as the 11-year anniversary of the National 
Family Caregiver Support Program and declaring 2011 The Year of the 
Family Caregiver. This year, caregivers across the country and the 
Administration on Aging are celebrating family caregivers and working 
to improve the support family caregivers receive.
  Today's resolution recognizes the 65 million Americans who serve as 
family caregivers for their family members, friends, and other loved 
ones living with a disability, chronic illness, or other condition 
associated with old age. Family caregivers are the backbone of our 
Nation's long-term care system, accounting for 80 percent of all long-
term services provided in the United States. They provide high-quality 
services that improve the lives of the people they care for and benefit 
our society.
  I created the National Family Caregiver Support Program in 2000 to 
strengthen the Older Americans Act so it may meet the day-to-day needs 
of our older Americans and their caregivers. The program is a 
partnership between States and Area Agencies on Aging. The National 
Family Caregiver Support Program provides counseling, training, respite 
care, adult daycare, and other support services to 600,000 caregivers 
so that families can get the resources they need to care for their 
loved one. The program helps American families take care of older 
parents while raising children of their own and pursuing a career. It 
also helps grandparents who are taking care of grandchildren. The 
National Family Caregiver Support Program helps families provide care 
longer and delays the need for costly nursing home care.
  Family caregiving continues to place a lot of stress on families in 
terms of time, energy, and finances, but American families are up to 
this challenge. I ask my colleagues today to join me in applauding the 
work of family caregivers and those who support them every day.
  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed 
to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon 
the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements 
related to the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 235) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 235

       Whereas there are more than 65,000,000 people in the United 
     States serving as family caregivers for a family member or 
     friend with a disability, chronic illness, or the frailties 
     associated with old age;
       Whereas family caregivers in the United States are family, 
     friends, partners, and neighbors who choose to provide care 
     out of feelings of love or a sense of duty;
       Whereas family caregivers deal with significant medical and 
     psycho-social issues that require complex care management and 
     coordination with numerous medical providers;
       Whereas family caregivers provide 80 percent of all long-
     term care services in the United States;
       Whereas despite the physical, psychological, and financial 
     hardship that caregivers endure, these individuals provide 
     high-quality services that bring countless benefits to their 
     care recipients and to society; and
       Whereas the people of the United States should acknowledge 
     the vital role of family caregivers, enable such caregivers 
     to live healthier, less stressful lives, and enhance the 
     ability of family caregivers to improve the health and well-
     being of those that they care for: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the year 2011 as the 11-year anniversary of 
     the National Family Caregiver Support Program;
       (2) applauds the Administration on Aging and national and 
     community based organizations that support family caregivers;
       (3) applauds the family, friends, partners, and neighbors 
     who provide long-term care services; and
       (4) designates 2011 as ``The Year of the Family 
     Caregiver''.

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