1Recognizing the month of May 2014 as "Older Americans Month" in
2Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Older adults have made important contributions to
4the culture, economy and character of this nation and this
5Commonwealth; and

6WHEREAS, Today's older Americans span three generations, have
7lived through wars and hard times as well as periods of
8unprecedented prosperity and have also pioneered new
9technologies in medicine, communications and industry while
10spearheading a cultural revolution that won equal rights for
11minorities, women and disabled Americans; and

12WHEREAS, Older Americans have been honored during the month
13of May since 1963, when President John F. Kennedy issued the
14first proclamation asking that the entire nation pay tribute in
15some way to older persons in their communities; and

16WHEREAS, When Older Americans Month was first established,
17only 17 million Americans reached their 65th birthdays, about

1one-third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few
2programs to meet their needs; and

3WHEREAS, Today, increasing numbers of adults are reaching
4retirement age and remaining strong and active for longer than
5ever before; and

6WHEREAS, By the year 2030, America's senior population is
7expected to number 71.5 million; and

8WHEREAS, As the new generation of seniors becomes better
9educated and more financially secure than their predecessors,
10seniors are spending more time making significant contributions
11in their communities through civic and volunteer opportunities;
12and

13WHEREAS, The theme for this year's annual Older Americans
14Month is "Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow." which focuses on injury
15prevention and safety awareness to help older adults remain
16healthy and active; and

17WHEREAS, The annual commemoration of Older Americans Month is
18an opportunity to recognize the contributions of older citizens
19and join in providing services and support that empower the
20elderly; therefore be it

21RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of May 2014 as
22"Older Americans Month" in Pennsylvania.