[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 87 (Tuesday, May 5, 2020)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 26831-26832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09739]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 87 / Tuesday, May 5, 2020 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 26831]]


                Proclamation 10022 of April 30, 2020

                
Older Americans Month, 2020

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Older Americans are cherished and invaluable members of 
                our society, deserving our utmost respect, gratitude, 
                and admiration. During Older Americans Month, we pause 
                to draw upon the wisdom, spirit, and experience older 
                adults bring to our families, our communities, and our 
                Nation. We also recognize that during this time of 
                crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we can 
                persevere and prevail by emulating the resolve, 
                tenacity, and determination of America's more 
                experienced individuals who have endured and overcome 
                life's most challenging times.

                Older Americans have built our economy, defended our 
                freedom, and shaped our Nation's character. They have 
                raised families and dedicated themselves to improving 
                the quality of life for future generations. They 
                sacrificed in times of hardship and took pride in a job 
                well done. Many served honorably in our Armed Forces 
                during some of the darkest times in the history of our 
                Republic. Older Americans have lived lives of service 
                and sacrifice, bound by devotion to the sacred 
                principles of our country. Although no one could 
                begrudge them rest and respite during their retirement 
                years, having worked decades to support and grow their 
                families and nurture their communities, many older 
                Americans spend their time volunteering for those in 
                need, mentoring young people, or learning new skills. 
                They pour love into their extended families, places of 
                worship, and neighborhood centers, and offer profound 
                perspective and insight gleaned from years of life 
                lessons.

                My Administration remains committed to enacting 
                policies that benefit our Nation's older adults. In an 
                effort to lower the cost of prescription drugs, the 
                Food and Drug Administration has approved more generic 
                drugs each year during my 3 years in office than any 
                other year in the history of our country. We have also 
                developed a path to allow less expensive prescription 
                drugs to be imported from Canada. Additionally, I ended 
                the terrible gag clauses that prevented pharmacists 
                from telling patients when they could pay less out of 
                pocket by not using their insurance. I have also taken 
                executive action to improve seniors' access to medical 
                care and to bolster Medicare's fiscal sustainability by 
                reducing regulatory burdens and eliminating unnecessary 
                barriers. This action puts older Americans first by 
                strengthening the program and helping to ensure its 
                success for years to come.

                Our Nation's older Americans are among the most 
                susceptible to fraud and other financial schemes. To 
                help counter these vile crimes, I have instructed the 
                Department of Justice (DOJ) to prioritize protecting 
                older Americans from financial exploitation and use 
                every tool they have to disrupt and prosecute these 
                criminals. Over the last year, DOJ has taken 
                unprecedented action against transnational fraud 
                schemes that target seniors, the networks of ``money 
                mules'' that move stolen funds from Americans' bank 
                accounts to overseas fraudsters, and telephone 
                companies that knowingly facilitate billions of 
                fraudulent robocalls. DOJ has also launched an Elder 
                Fraud Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11) so that America's 
                seniors can more easily

[[Page 26832]]

                report fraud, find resources, and better protect 
                themselves from this abhorrent criminal behavior.

                Older Americans are among those most vulnerable to the 
                ravages of the coronavirus. As they continue to adhere 
                to the special guidance put in place to protect them, 
                we must acknowledge that far too many are facing 
                hardships of loneliness and social isolation. Many 
                families are unable to visit elderly parents and 
                grandparents, and many men and women in retirement and 
                nursing homes have been cut off from personal contact 
                and meaningful social connections. During this 
                precarious and stressful time, we must remember our 
                treasured older adults and recommit to doing what we 
                can to support and care for them. I urge all Americans 
                to reach out to loved ones, neighbors, and strangers to 
                extend love, compassion, and encouragement. By 
                delivering food and supplies to the homebound, mailing 
                greeting cards, or using technology to stay connected, 
                we can support our seniors as we defeat the virus. 
                Older Americans know how to overcome. They have done it 
                their whole lives. With the country rallying behind 
                them we can ensure that they can continue to live lives 
                of dignity, joy, and purpose long after the threat of 
                the virus has faded.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 May 2020 as Older 
                Americans Month. I call upon all Americans to honor our 
                elders, acknowledge their contributions, care for those 
                in need, and reaffirm our country's commitment to older 
                Americans this month and throughout the year.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2020-09739
Filed 5-4-20; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F0-P