III 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 455 

Designating May 2014 as ‘‘Older Americans Month’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 22, 2014 

Mr. NELSON (for himself, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. SANDERS, and Mr. CARDIN) 

submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating May 2014 as ‘‘Older Americans Month’’. 

Whereas President John F. Kennedy first designated May as 

‘‘Senior Citizens Month’’ in 1963; 

Whereas in 1963, only 17,000,000 individuals living in the 

United States were age 65 or older, approximately 1/3 of 

such individuals lived in poverty, and few programs existed to meet the needs of older individuals in the United 

States; 

Whereas in 2014, there are more than 43,000,000 individuals 

age 65 or older in the United States, and such individuals account for 13.7 percent of the total population of 

the United States; 

Whereas in 2014, more than 9,600,000 veterans of the 

Armed Forces are age 65 or older; 


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•SRES 455 ATS 

Whereas older individuals in the United States rely on Federal programs, such as Social Security, the Medicare program, the Medicaid program, for financial security and 

high-quality affordable health care; 

Whereas the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 

et seq.) provides supportive services to help individuals of 

the United States who are age 60 or older maintain maximum independence in their homes and communities; 

Whereas the Older Americans Act of 1965 provides funding 

for programs, including nutrition services, transportation, 

and care management, to assist more than 11,000,000 

older individuals in the United States each year; 

Whereas compared to older individuals in the United States 

in past generations, older individuals in the United States 

in 2014 are working longer, living longer, and enjoying 

healthier, more active, and more independent lifestyles; 

Whereas more than 4,300,000 individuals in the United 

States age 65 or older continue to work as full-time, 

year-round employees; 

Whereas older individuals in the United States play an important role in society by continuing to contribute their 

experience, knowledge, wisdom, and accomplishments; 

Whereas older individuals in the United States play vital 

roles in their communities and remain involved in volunteer work, mentoring activities, the arts, cultural activities, and civic engagement; and 

Whereas a society that recognizes the success of older individuals and continues to enhance their access to quality and 

affordable health care will encourage the ongoing participation and heightened independence of such individuals 


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•SRES 455 ATS 

and will ensure the continued safety and well-being of 

such individuals: 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates May 2014 as ‘‘Older Americans 

3 Month’’; and 

4 (2) encourages the people of the United States 

5 to provide opportunities for older individuals to con6 tinue to flourish by— 

7 (A) emphasizing the importance and lead8 ership of older individuals through public rec9 ognition of their ongoing achievements; 

10 (B) presenting opportunities for older indi11 viduals to share their wisdom, experience, and 

12 skills with younger generations; and 

13 (C) recognizing older individuals as valu14 able assets in strengthening communities across 

15 the United States. 

Æ 


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