[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8767]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                   RECOGNIZING OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 2004

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, every year since 1963, when President John F. 
Kennedy officially established Older Americans Month, May has served as 
an opportunity to recognize the needs and contributions of older 
American communities across the country. This year's theme, ``Aging 
Well, Living Well'' offers us an opportunity to reflect on the shifting 
needs of seniors and to highlight the issues that contribute to 
improving seniors' quality of life.
  In the last 100 years, the number of Americans 65 or over increased 
more than tenfold, and the growing number of racially and ethnically 
diverse communities continues to contribute to the unique character of 
American seniors. As a member of the Congressional Older Americans 
Caucus, I am well aware of the unique needs of our older population, 
especially in terms of accessing affordable health care, prescription 
drugs, and securing Social Security.
  The Federal Government created the Medicare and Social Security 
program in order to guarantee that after a lifetime of working and 
paying into the system, retired Americans would have access to health 
care coverage and retiree benefits. I remain committed to strengthening 
and preserving these programs, which have allowed generations of 
retirees to live with dignity and integrity.
  As a member of the Universal Health Care Task Force, I continue to 
work to ensure that health care is available and affordable for all 
Americans. We must be cautious of risky privatization schemes that 
could reduce access to affordable health care or Social Security 
benefits. Aging well and living well mean that heath care, prescription 
drugs, and Social Security must be made affordable and accessible for 
all American seniors.
  In recognition of Older Americans Month, I commend our nation's 
seniors for their many contributions to our society and I will continue 
to fight to protect and improve American seniors' quality of life.

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