[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 78 (Thursday, May 22, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S3299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 455--DESIGNATING MAY 2014 AS ``OLDER AMERICANS 
                                MONTH''

  Mr. NELSON (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Sanders, and Mr. Cardin) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 455

       Whereas President John F. Kennedy first designated May as 
     ``Senior Citizens Month'' in 1963;
       Whereas in 1963, only 17,000,000 individuals living in the 
     United States were age 65 or older, approximately 1/3 of such 
     individuals lived in poverty, and few programs existed to 
     meet the needs of older individuals in the United States;
       Whereas in 2014, there are more than 43,000,000 individuals 
     age 65 or older in the United States, and such individuals 
     account for 13.7 percent of the total population of the 
     United States;
       Whereas in 2014, more than 9,600,000 veterans of the Armed 
     Forces are age 65 or older;
       Whereas older individuals in the United States rely on 
     Federal programs, such as Social Security, the Medicare 
     program, the Medicaid program, for financial security and 
     high-quality affordable health care;
       Whereas the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et 
     seq.) provides supportive services to help individuals of the 
     United States who are age 60 or older maintain maximum 
     independence in their homes and communities;
       Whereas the Older Americans Act of 1965 provides funding 
     for programs, including nutrition services, transportation, 
     and care management, to assist more than 11,000,000 older 
     individuals in the United States each year;
       Whereas compared to older individuals in the United States 
     in past generations, older individuals in the United States 
     in 2014 are working longer, living longer, and enjoying 
     healthier, more active, and more independent lifestyles;
       Whereas more than 4,300,000 individuals in the United 
     States age 65 or older continue to work as full-time, year-
     round employees;
       Whereas older individuals in the United States play an 
     important role in society by continuing to contribute their 
     experience, knowledge, wisdom, and accomplishments;
       Whereas older individuals in the United States play vital 
     roles in their communities and remain involved in volunteer 
     work, mentoring activities, the arts, cultural activities, 
     and civic engagement; and
       Whereas a society that recognizes the success of older 
     individuals and continues to enhance their access to quality 
     and affordable health care will encourage the ongoing 
     participation and heightened independence of such individuals 
     and will ensure the continued safety and well-being of such 
     individuals:
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 2014 as ``Older Americans Month''; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to provide 
     opportunities for older individuals to continue to flourish 
     by--
       (A) emphasizing the importance and leadership of older 
     individuals through public recognition of their ongoing 
     achievements;
       (B) presenting opportunities for older individuals to share 
     their wisdom, experience, and skills with younger 
     generations; and
       (C) recognizing older individuals as valuable assets in 
     strengthening communities across the United States.

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