[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 96 (Thursday, May 21, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S2607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 597--DESIGNATING MAY 2020 AS ``OLDER AMERICANS 
                                MONTH''

  Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mr. Jones, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mr. 
Casey, Mr. Burr, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. McSally, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. 
Rubio, Ms. Warren, Mr. Hawley, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Braun, Ms. Rosen, Mr. 
Scott of Florida, and Mr. Grassley) submitted the following resolution; 
which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 597

       Whereas President John F. Kennedy first designated May as 
     ``Senior Citizens Month'' in 1963;
       Whereas, in 1963, only approximately 17,778,000 individuals 
     living in the United States were 65 years of age or older, 
     approximately \1/3\ of those individuals lived in poverty, 
     and few programs existed to meet the needs of older 
     individuals in the United States;
       Whereas, in 2019, there were more than 55,030,278 
     individuals who were 65 years of age or older in the United 
     States, and those individuals accounted for 16.7 percent of 
     the total population of the United States;
       Whereas approximately 10,000 individuals in the United 
     States turn 65 years of age each day;
       Whereas, in 2019, more than 9,056,000 veterans of the Armed 
     Forces were 65 years of age or older;
       Whereas older individuals in the United States rely on 
     Federal programs, such as programs under the Social Security 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), including the Medicare program 
     under title XVIII of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) and 
     the Medicaid program under title XIX of that Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1396 et seq.), for financial security and high-quality 
     affordable health care;
       Whereas the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et 
     seq.) provides--
       (1) supportive services to help individuals in the United 
     States who are 60 years of age or older maintain maximum 
     independence in the homes and communities of those 
     individuals; and
       (2) funding for programs, including nutrition services, 
     transportation, and care management, to assist more than 
     10,798,199 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 2020 are working longer, living longer, and enjoying 
     healthier, more active, and more independent lifestyles;
       Whereas, in 2019, an estimated 6,422,000 individuals in the 
     United States who were 65 years of age or older continued 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, the arts, cultural activities, and activities relating 
     to mentorship and civic engagement; and
       Whereas a society that recognizes the success of older 
     individuals and continues to enhance the access of older 
     individuals to quality and affordable health care will--
       (1) encourage the ongoing participation and heightened 
     independence of older individuals; and
       (2) ensure the continued safety and well-being of older 
     individuals: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 2020 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 the ongoing 
     achievements of older individuals;
       (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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