[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 5, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2214-S2215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 571--HONORING THE LEADERSHIP AND CELEBRATING THE 
 RETIREMENT OF EDWIN WALKER, THE DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR AGING 
              FOR THE ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING

  Mr. CASEY (for himself, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Markey, and Mr. Sanders) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

[[Page S2215]]

  


                              S. Res. 571

       Whereas Edwin Walker is a consummate public servant whose 
     steadfast leadership has had an immeasurable impact on the 
     health and well-being of older adults and their family 
     caregivers;
       Whereas Edwin Walker began his career in aging services 
     with the Missouri Division on Aging and has remained 
     committed to strengthening the aging services network;
       Whereas Edwin Walker has led the Administration on Aging, 
     which carries out the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 
     3001 et seq.) and promotes the well-being of older adults by 
     providing services and programs designed to help them live 
     independently in their homes and communities, since June 
     1992;
       Whereas Edwin Walker has ensured the sustainability of the 
     Administration on Aging by remaining focused on the mission 
     of supporting older adults with the greatest economic and 
     social need, and through the cultivation of partnerships 
     across Federal, State, and local governments and with 
     community organizations;
       Whereas Edwin Walker has provided leadership, stability, 
     and vision during periods of transition, including between 6 
     different administrations and through the establishment of 
     the Administration for Community Living in 2012, which now 
     houses the Administration on Aging;
       Whereas Edwin Walker has provided expert guidance during 5 
     reauthorizations of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 
     U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) and led the translation and adoption of 
     evidence-based interventions to improve health, reduce 
     hospitalizations and emergency department visits, and reduce 
     overall expenditures related to chronic diseases, diabetes, 
     falls prevention, and behavioral health;
       Whereas Edwin Walker worked in partnership with the aging 
     services network at the Federal, State, and local levels to 
     meet the critical needs of older adults during the COVID-19 
     pandemic, including through the timely distribution of 
     pandemic relief funding;
       Whereas Edwin Walker led the team that--
       (1) developed the Family Caregiving Advisory Council 
     pursuant to section 4(a) of the Recognize, Assist, Include, 
     Support, and Engage Family Caregivers Act of 2017 (42 U.S.C. 
     3030s note; Public Law 115-119);
       (2) developed the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents 
     Raising Grandchildren established section 3(a) of the 
     Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act (Public Law 
     115-196; 132 Stat. 1511); and
       (3) informed the creation of the 2022 National Strategy to 
     Support Family Caregivers;
       Whereas Edwin Walker built the Federal infrastructure 
     needed to better address elder abuse and neglect in the 
     United States, including through the implementation of the 
     Elder Justice Coordinating Council established by section 
     2021(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397k(a));
       Whereas Edwin Walker serves as a trusted and respected 
     partner to many, and the guidance provided by Edwin Walker 
     has advanced the impact of the aging network by fostering a 
     community of mission-driven leaders committed to advancing 
     the health and well-being of older adults with the greatest 
     economic and social need; and
       Whereas the legacy of Edwin Walker--
       (1) is one of public service, steadfast commitment to the 
     mission and supporting older adults with the greatest 
     economic and social need, and cultivation of a robust aging 
     network; and
       (2) will remain long after his retirement from public 
     service and will forever serve as a beacon to those pursuing 
     careers that advance the public good; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors the leadership of Edwin Walker, the Deputy 
     Assistant Secretary for Aging for the Administration for 
     Community Living;
       (2) celebrates the retirement of Edwin Walker; and
       (3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to the family of Edwin Walker.

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