[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 116 (Wednesday, June 17, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 34825-34826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15112]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 116 / Wednesday, June 17, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 34825]]


                Proclamation 9295 of June 12, 2015

                
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For 10 years, Americans have marked World Elder Abuse 
                Awareness Day by joining with individuals worldwide to 
                take a stand against elder abuse, neglect, and 
                exploitation. Often under-identified and under-
                reported, elder abuse is a public health crisis that 
                crosses all socioeconomic lines, and it is an affront 
                to human rights around the world. Today, we once again 
                take this opportunity to raise awareness of this 
                injustice, and with the international community, we 
                recommit to ending this abuse, supporting those who are 
                victims, and holding perpetrators accountable.

                Every year, millions of older Americans experience 
                abuse, neglect, or exploitation. They are our friends 
                and neighbors, and our parents, grandparents, and loved 
                ones, and we must do more to change this unacceptable 
                reality. Elder abuse can take many forms--including 
                physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as 
                neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation--and 
                it is important for all Americans to learn how to 
                recognize and report mistreatment. The way we treat our 
                older citizens reflects our values as a society, and it 
                is our shared responsibility to ensure all our seniors 
                receive the support and protection they deserve. To 
                find out more and to learn what you can do to combat 
                elder abuse, visit www.NCEA.AOA.gov.

                My Administration is committed to protecting and 
                empowering our Nation's older Americans so they can 
                live out their years with dignity and independence. 
                Through the Affordable Care Act, we enacted the Elder 
                Justice Act, which authorized important new initiatives 
                to prevent elder abuse. We have worked tirelessly to 
                strengthen and protect the programs that provide 
                essential support, quality care, and economic security 
                to our seniors, including Medicare, Medicaid, the Older 
                Americans Act, and Social Security. And to help 
                safeguard those who responsibly prepare for retirement 
                from financial exploitation, I have called for new 
                rules to require financial advisors to put their 
                clients' interests before their own.

                The Federal Government is working with non-profit and 
                private sector leaders, as well as State, local, and 
                tribal governments to provide education, outreach, and 
                resources that help older Americans live safe and 
                productive lives. As part of my Administration's 
                efforts to address these critical issues, next month I 
                will host the White House Conference on Aging. 
                Connecting older Americans, their families, caregivers, 
                advocates, community leaders, and experts, the 
                Conference will be an important opportunity to continue 
                our efforts to promote healthy aging, provide long-term 
                services and support, defend retirement security, and 
                protect older Americans from abuse in all its forms.

                After a lifetime of contributions to their families, 
                their communities, and our world, older Americans 
                deserve to live free from harm and abuse. As a society, 
                we must lift up our seniors by advancing policies of 
                inclusion and combating ageism wherever it exists. On 
                World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, let us join with law 
                enforcement officials, adult protective services 
                professionals, health and human services providers, 
                neighbors, caregivers,

[[Page 34826]]

                and community leaders to strengthen our long-term care 
                systems and redouble our efforts to build communities 
                that safeguard our elders and support long and healthy 
                lives for all people throughout the world.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim June 15, 2015, as 
                World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. I call upon all 
                Americans to observe this day by learning the signs of 
                elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and by raising 
                awareness about this important public health issue.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2015-15112
Filed 6-16-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F5