[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 87 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 26113-26114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11335]



[[Page 26111]]

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Part V





The President





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Proclamation 7301--Older Americans Month, 2000



Executive Order 13152--Further Amendment to Executive Order 11478, 
Equal Employment Opportunity in Federal Government
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 87 / Thursday, May 4, 2000 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 26113]]

                Proclamation 7301 of May 2, 2000

                
Older Americans Month, 2000

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Older Americans are a treasured link to our past. With 
                courage, hard work, and unwavering devotion to family, 
                community, and country, our older citizens helped to 
                make the 20th century the American century. They 
                preserved our freedom through the crucible of World War 
                II; opposed Communist aggression in Korea and through 
                the long, dark years of the Cold War; marched for labor 
                reform and civil rights; raised their families, 
                volunteered in their communities, and often postponed 
                their own dreams to fulfill the dreams of their 
                children. Their character, values, and patriotism laid 
                the foundation for the peace and prosperity we enjoy 
                today.

                Older Americans have indeed contributed much to the 
                story of our past; and they have much still to offer 
                our future. Today, people are living longer, more 
                active, and more independent lives than ever before, 
                and one in four Americans between the ages of 65 and 69 
                has a job, either part-time or full-time. Many older 
                Americans want to work, are able to work, and have 
                skills and experience that businesses need in today's 
                booming economy.

                Recognizing the changing role of older men and women in 
                our society, this year the Congress unanimously passed, 
                and I was pleased to sign into law, the Senior 
                Citizens' Freedom to Work Act of 2000, which ushers in 
                a new era of opportunity for older Americans. Before 
                passage of this landmark legislation, seniors who 
                continued to work after age 65 risked having some of 
                their Social Security benefits withheld until they 
                stopped working or turned 70 years old. By eliminating 
                this confusing and outdated retirement earnings test, 
                the new legislation will ensure that millions of older 
                workers who wish to continue working will be able to 
                keep their full Social Security benefits regardless of 
                their age or earning level.

                It is appropriate that we enact this new law in the 
                year when we celebrate the 65th anniversary of Social 
                Security and the 35th anniversary of Medicare, 
                Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act. Millions of 
                older citizens have been assisted by these programs, 
                and, as the baby boom generation ages, millions more 
                will be relying on them in this new century.

                To recognize the profound debt our Nation owes its 
                older citizens, and to prepare wisely for the impact 
                that increasing longevity will have on nearly every 
                aspect of our society in the coming years, we must 
                reaffirm our commitment to saving Social Security, 
                strengthening Medicare--including a prescription drug 
                benefit--and modernizing, improving, and reauthorizing 
                the Older Americans Act. We must also enact my 
                Administration's long-term care initiative, which, 
                among other important measures, provides tax relief and 
                support services to the millions of family caregivers 
                who devote countless hours to helping older loved ones 
                remain in their homes and communities. By doing so, we 
                can both honor the immeasurable contributions that 
                older men and women bring to our national life and 
                ensure that they lead independent, active, fulfilling 
                lives for many years to come.

[[Page 26114]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim May 2000 as Older Americans 
                Month. I urge Government officials, business people, 
                community leaders, educators, volunteers, and all the 
                people of the United States to celebrate the 
                contributions older Americans have made, and continue 
                to make, to the progress and prosperity of our Nation.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                second day of May, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand, and of the Independence of the United States 
                of America the two hundred and twenty-fourth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 00-11335
Filed 5-3-00; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P