III 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 553 

Expressing the sense of the Senate that Congress should unwaveringly uphold 

the dignity and independence of older Americans. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 15, 2010 

Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Mr. LIEBERMAN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor, and Pensions 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the Senate that Congress should 

unwaveringly uphold the dignity and independence of 

older Americans. 

Whereas older Americans are a diverse group of men and 

women who have worked hard throughout their lives to 

provide for their families and defend the United States 

during critical periods in history; 

Whereas older Americans deserve a dignified, secure, and 

independent retirement for the years of service they have 

provided to the United States; 

Whereas the percentage of the United States population that 

is 65 years of age or older is rapidly expanding, particularly veterans; 


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•SRES 553 IS 

Whereas many Americans are living longer, working longer, 

and enjoying healthier, more active lifestyles than past 

generations; 

Whereas older Americans rely heavily on Federal programs 

such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and, for veterans, TRICARE, 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 more than 

10,000,000 older Americans each year; 

Whereas notwithstanding Federal programs, older Americans 

experience greater financial losses during economic 

downturns and are subject to higher incidences of poverty, hunger, and homelessness; 

Whereas older Americans seek to leave a legacy of a strong 

and stable economy to future generations that maintains 

a commitment to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, 

and the provision of benefits to veterans; 

Whereas older Americans are increasingly the victims of 

fraud, scams, exploitation, and even physical abuse, actions that threaten the dignity, financial security, and access to quality health care of older Americans; and 

Whereas the 111th Congress has passed legislation that— 

(1) protects the dignity of older Americans by 

strengthening efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and 

abuse in Medicare and Medicaid; and 

(2) prevents irresponsible lending practices that target older Americans and threaten to erode the resources 

that older Americans have worked their entire lives to 

save: Now, therefore, be it 


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•SRES 553 IS 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that Con2 gress should unwaveringly uphold the dignity and inde3 pendence of older Americans by supporting efforts that 

4 guarantee for the older Americans— 

5 (1) financial security; 

6 (2) quality and affordable health and long-term 

7 care; 

8 (3) protection from abuse, scams, and exploi9 tation; 

10 (4) a strong economy now and for future gen11 erations; and 

12 (5) safe and livable communities with adequate 

13 housing and transportation options. 

Æ 


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