1Recognizing the month of May 2013 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,

1only 17 million Americans reached their 65th birthdays, about
2one-third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few
3programs to meet their needs; and

4WHEREAS, Today, increasing numbers of adults are reaching
5retirement age and remaining strong and active for longer than
6ever before; and

7WHEREAS, By the year 2030, America's senior population is
8expected to number 71.5 million; and

9WHEREAS, As the new generation of seniors becomes better
10educated and more financially secure than their predecessors,
11seniors are spending more time making significant contributions
12in their communities through civic and volunteer opportunities;
13and

14WHEREAS, The theme for this year's annual "Older Americans
15Month" is "Unleash the Power of Age!" which pays homage to the
16many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity
17to the fabric of our communities; and

18WHEREAS, The annual commemoration of "Older Americans Month"
19is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of older
20citizens and join in providing services and support that empower
21the elderly; therefore be it

22RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of May 2013 as
23"Older Americans Month" in Pennsylvania.