IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 594 

Recognizing Older Americans Month. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 22, 2014 

Ms. BONAMICI (for herself and Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and 

the Workforce 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing 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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•HRES 594 IH 

Whereas older individuals in the United States rely on Federal programs, such as Social Security, the Medicare program, the Medicaid program, and, in the case of veterans, the TRICARE program and the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 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 particiVerDate Mar 15 2010 00:57 May 24, 2014 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR594.IH HR594

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•HRES 594 IH 

pation and heightened independence of such individuals 

and will ensure the continued safety and well-being of 

such individuals: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes Older Americans Month; and 

3 (2) encourages the people of the United States 

4 to provide opportunities for older individuals to con5 tinue to flourish by— 

6 (A) emphasizing the importance and lead7 ership of older individuals through public rec8 ognition of their ongoing achievements; 

9 (B) presenting opportunities for older indi10 viduals to share their wisdom, experience, and 

11 skills with younger generations; and 

12 (C) recognizing older individuals as valu13 able assets in strengthening communities across 

14 the United States. 

Æ 


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