119-sres252

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 252 Agreed to Senate

    (ATS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
S. RES. 252

 Designating May 2025 as ``Older Americans Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 May 22, 2025

Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Justice, Mr. Warnock, 
 Ms. Warren, Mr. McCormick, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. Collins, Mr. 
 Tuberville, Mrs. Moody, Mr. Husted, and Mr. Kim) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Designating May 2025 as ``Older Americans Month''.

Whereas President John F. Kennedy first designated May as ``Senior Citizens 
 Month'' in 1963;
Whereas, in 1963, only approximately 17,778,000 individuals living in the United 
 States were 65 years of age or older, approximately \1/3\ of those 
 individuals lived in poverty, and few programs existed to meet the needs 
 of older individuals in the United States;
Whereas, in 2023, there were more than 59,248,361 individuals who were 65 years 
 of age or older living in the United States and those individuals 
 accounted for 17.7 percent of the total population of the United States;
Whereas approximately 11,216 individuals in the United States turn 65 years of 
 age each day;
Whereas, in 2023, more than 8,402,856 veterans of the Armed Forces were 65 years 
 of age or older;
Whereas older individuals in the United States rely on Federal programs, such as 
 programs under the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), 
 including the Medicare program under title XVIII of that Act (42 U.S.C. 
 1395 et seq.) and the Medicaid program under title XIX of that Act (42 
 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), for financial security and high-quality affordable 
 health care;
Whereas the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) provides--

    (1) supportive services to help older individuals in the United States 
maintain maximum independence in the homes and communities of those 
individuals; and

    (2) funding for programs that promote social connection and improve the 
health and well-being of older individuals, including nutrition services, 
transportation, and care management, which assist more than 10,000,000 
older individuals in the United States each year;

Whereas, as local aging network leaders, Area Agencies on Aging are critical 
 partners in the healthy aging continuum;
Whereas, in 2023, an estimated 6,774,000 individuals in the United States who 
 were 65 years of age or older continued 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, the arts, cultural 
 activities, and activities relating to mentorship and civic engagement;
Whereas more than 143,000 older individuals serve as AmeriCorps Seniors 
 volunteers in the Foster Grandparent Program, Senior Companion Program, 
 and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, helping communities by 
 mentoring and tutoring children, providing independent living support 
 and companionship to other older adults, addressing food insecurity, and 
 more; and
Whereas a society that recognizes the success of older individuals and continues 
 to enhance the access of older individuals to quality and affordable 
 health care will--

    (1) encourage the ongoing participation and heightened independence of 
older individuals; and

    (2) ensure the continued safety and well-being of older individuals: 
Now, therefore, be it

 Resolved, That the Senate--

    (1) designates May 2025 as ``Older Americans Month''; and

    (2) encourages the people of the United States to provide 
 opportunities for older individuals to continue to flourish 
 by--
        (A) emphasizing the importance and leadership of 
 older individuals through public recognition of the 
 ongoing achievements of older individuals;
        (B) presenting opportunities for older individuals 
 to share their wisdom, experience, and skills with 
 younger generations; and
            (C) recognizing older individuals as valuable 
 assets in strengthening communities across the United 
 States.
 <all>