[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 21534]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL EMPLOY OLDER WORKERS WEEK

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of National 
Employ Older Workers Week, celebrated September 24-30, 2006. All too 
often we concentrate only on the social and economic challenges that 
the rapidly increasing numbers of older Americans present this Nation. 
This week's designation provides the opportunity to highlight the vital 
role that older workers can and do play in fostering a competitive 
economy through their workplace contributions.
  As the baby boomer generation has begun to reach traditional 
retirement age, this mature workforce is breaking down the negative 
stereotypes that cast older workers as frail, unproductive, and 
resistant to technological advances. Today's older generation of 
Americans has persevered through economic hard times and flourished in 
prosperity, endured war and enjoyed peace, and embraced more dramatic 
technological advances in science, medicine, transportation and 
communications than any other generation in our history. This breadth 
of experience should be viewed as a valuable asset bridging this 
country's past and future. National Employ Older Workers Week is our 
opportunity to recognize the wealth of experience older Americans have 
acquired and can contribute to the 21st century workplace, as well as 
the importance of work in helping seniors maintain their independence, 
health, and well-being.
  Mr. President, I encourage my colleagues to join me in recognition of 
National Employ Older Workers Week. As chairman of the Senate Special 
Committee on Aging, I look forward to working with my colleagues to 
encourage the hiring and retention of older workers. We honor these 
workers for their experience and the contributions they have made 
throughout their lifetimes, and look forward to their continued 
contributions to our country's prosperity.

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