[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6660]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 137--DESIGNATING MAY 2013 AS ``OLDER AMERICANS 
                                MONTH''

  Mr. NELSON (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Sanders, and Mr. Coons) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 137

       Whereas President John F. Kennedy first designated May as 
     ``Senior Citizens Month'' in 1963;
       Whereas, in 1963, only 17,000,000 living people in the 
     United States had reached their 65th birthday, approximately 
     \1/3\ of older people in the United States lived in poverty, 
     and there were few programs to meet the needs of older people 
     in the United States;
       Whereas, as of 2013, there are more than 41,000,000 people 
     in the United States who are 65 years of age or older;
       Whereas, as of 2013, there are more than 9,000,000 veterans 
     of the Armed Forces who are 65 years of age or older;
       Whereas older people in the United States rely on Federal 
     programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and, in 
     the case of veterans, TRICARE and the health care system of 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs, 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 nearly 2,600,000 
     older people in the United States each year;
       Whereas many people in the United States are living longer, 
     working longer, and enjoying healthier, more active 
     lifestyles than in past generations;
       Whereas older people play an important role by continuing 
     to contribute experience, knowledge, wisdom, and 
     accomplishments;
       Whereas older people are active community members involved 
     in volunteering, mentorship, arts and culture, and civic 
     engagement; and
       Whereas recognizing the successes of older people in the 
     community encourages ongoing participation and further 
     accomplishments: Now therefore be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 2013 as ``Older Americans Month'';
       (2) recognizes May 2013 as the 50th anniversary of ``Older 
     Americans Month''; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to provide 
     opportunities for older people to continue to flourish by--
       (A) emphasizing the importance of older people and their 
     leadership by publicly recognizing their continued 
     achievements;
       (B) presenting opportunities for older people to share 
     their wisdom, experience, and skills; and
       (C) recognizing older people as a valuable asset in 
     strengthening the communities of the United States.

                          ____________________