[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10669]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 553--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT CONGRESS 
   SHOULD UNWAVERINGLY UPHOLD THE DIGNITY AND INDEPENDENCE OF OLDER 
                               AMERICANS

  Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Mr. Lieberman) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 553

       Whereas older Americans are a diverse group of men and 
     women who have worked hard throughout their lives to provide 
     for their families and defend the United States during 
     critical periods in history;
       Whereas older Americans deserve a dignified, secure, and 
     independent retirement for the years of service they have 
     provided to the United States;
       Whereas the percentage of the United States population that 
     is 65 years of age or older is rapidly expanding, 
     particularly veterans;
       Whereas many Americans are living longer, working longer, 
     and enjoying healthier, more active lifestyles than past 
     generations;
       Whereas older Americans rely heavily on Federal programs 
     such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and, for 
     veterans, TRICARE, for financial security and high-quality, 
     affordable health care;
       Whereas the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et 
     seq.) provides Federally-funded community-based social 
     services and nutritional support programs to more than 
     10,000,000 older Americans each year;
       Whereas notwithstanding Federal programs, older Americans 
     experience greater financial losses during economic downturns 
     and are subject to higher incidences of poverty, hunger, and 
     homelessness;
       Whereas older Americans seek to leave a legacy of a strong 
     and stable economy to future generations that maintains a 
     commitment to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the 
     provision of benefits to veterans;
       Whereas older Americans are increasingly the victims of 
     fraud, scams, exploitation, and even physical abuse, actions 
     that threaten the dignity, financial security, and access to 
     quality health care of older Americans; and
       Whereas the 111th Congress has passed legislation that--
       (1) protects the dignity of older Americans by 
     strengthening efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in 
     Medicare and Medicaid; and
       (2) prevents irresponsible lending practices that target 
     older Americans and threaten to erode the resources that 
     older Americans have worked their entire lives to save: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that Congress 
     should unwaveringly uphold the dignity and independence of 
     older Americans by supporting efforts that guarantee for the 
     older Americans--
       (1) financial security;
       (2) quality and affordable health and long-term care;
       (3) protection from abuse, scams, and exploitation;
       (4) a strong economy now and for future generations; and
       (5) safe and livable communities with adequate housing and 
     transportation options.

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