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Older Americans Month Speech Resources: Fact Sheet

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Older Americans Month Speech Resources: Fact Sheet

April 28, 2016May 2, 2017 (R43978)

Introduction

May is Older Americans Month—a time to celebrate and pay tribute to older people across the country. Every year since 1992, the Administration on Aging (AOA) has selected a theme for Older Americans Month (OAM). The theme for May 2016 is Blaze a Trail. The Administration for Community Living website contains a list of past themes2017 is Age Out Loud. The website of the AOA's Administration for Community Living states This theme shines a light on many important trends. More than ever before, older Americans are working longer, trying new things, and engaging communities. They're taking charge, striving for wellness, focusing on independence, and advocating for themselves and others. What it means to age has changed, and OAM 2017 is a perfect opportunity to recognize and celebrate what getting older looks like today.

This guide is designed to assist congressional offices with work-related Older Americans Month celebrations. It contains a brief history with resources for additional historical, legislative, and budget information,; CRS reports,; examples of speeches and recognitions from the legislative branch,; presidential proclamations,; and statistics and projections from authoritative government sources. The sections "Resources for Older Americans," "Educational Opportunities for Seniors," and "Volunteer Opportunities for Seniors" contain selected resources that may be of interest to constituents.

History

President John F. Kennedy designated May 1963 as Senior Citizens Month to pay tribute to citizens aged 65 and older. President Jimmy Carter changed the name to Older Americans Month in 1980. The Administration for Community Living website contains additional history of Older Americans Month.

Legislation and Budget

The Older Americans Act (OAA) was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 14, 1965, and supports a range of social servicesservices and programs for individuals aged 60 years or older.

Congress has reauthorized and amended the OAA numerous times since it was first enacted. Most recently, President Barack Obama signed P.L. 114-144, the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2016, on April 19, 2016. The law reauthorized the OAA through FY2019.

The Older Americans Act (P.L. 89-73)

The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2016 (P.L.P.L. 114-144)

Current Budget Information (Administration for Community Living)

CRS Reports

The Congressional Research Service has prepared several reports that explain or address issues of concern to older Americans. Some of these include

the following. The Older Americans Act and Related Programs

CRS Report R43414, Older Americans Act: Background and Overview, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed].

CRS Report RS22549, Older Americans Act: Funding Formulas, by [author name scrubbed].

CRS Report R43707, The Elder Justice Act: Background and Issues for Congress, by [author name scrubbed].

CRS Report R40425, Medicare Primer, coordinated by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed].

CRS Report R42035, Social Security PrimerR44485, Older Americans Act: 2016 Reauthorization, by [author name scrubbed].

CRS Report RS22549, Older Americans Act: Funding Formulas, by [author name scrubbed].

CRS In Focus IF10633, Older Americans Act: Nutrition Services Program, by [author name scrubbed].

Other Programs and Issues Focused on Older Americans

CRS Report R40425, Medicare Primer, coordinated by [author name scrubbed].

CRS Report R42035, Social Security Primer, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed].

CRS Report R43707, The Elder Justice Act: Background and Issues for Congress, by [author name scrubbed].

CRS In Focus IF10322, Medicaid Primer, by [author name scrubbed].

Sample Congressional Speeches and Recognitions

Members of Congress often make floor statements, issue press releases, or enter Extensions of Remarks into the Congressional Record to recognize federal holidays and observances. The following are some recent examples that may be of assistance in preparing such statements:

Representative Raul M. Grijalva, "Honoring Senior Corps Week and the Service of Older Americans," Extension of Remarks, Congressional Record, vol. 161 (May 18, 2015), p. E733.

Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, "Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Recognizing Older Americans Month," press release, May 1, 2014.

Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, "Older Americans Month," Extension of Remarks, Congressional Record, vol. 160 (May 1, 2014), p. E657.

Representative Suzanne Bonamici, "Rep. Bonamici Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing May as Older Americans Month," press release, May 22, 2014.

Representative Daniel B. Maffei, ".

Senator Bernard Sanders, "Anniversary and Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act," Senate, Congressional Record, vol. 162 (July 14, 2016), p. S5143-44.

Senator Lamar Alexander, "Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2016," Senate, Congressional Record, vol. 162 (April 19, 2016), pp. S2194-95.

Representative James P. McGovern, "Older Americans Month and Senior Hunger," House, Congressional Record, vol. 162 (May 24, 2016), p. H2966-67.

Representative Joyce Beatty, "Recognizing Older Americans Month and Diabetes Awareness," Extensions of Remarks, Congressional Record, vol. 162 (May 23, 2016), p. E765.

Senator Patrick J. Leahy, "Older Americans Month," Senate, Congressional Record, vol. 162 (May 23, 2016), p. S3052.

Representative Raul M. Grijalva, "Honoring Senior Corps Week and the Service of Older Americans, Extensions of Remarks, Congressional Record, vol. 162 (May 16, 2016), p. E707.

Representative Brian Higgins, "Recognizing Older Americans Month," Extensions," Extension of Remarks, Congressional Record, vol. 159162 (May 23, 2013), p. E74210, 2016), p. E656.

Representative Vern Buchanan, "Celebrating Older Americans Month," Extension of Remarks, Congressional Record, vol. 159 (May 7, 2013), p. E606.

Presidential Proclamations

One of the many uses of a presidential proclamation is to ceremoniously honor a group or call attention to certain issues or events. Some recent Older Americans Month proclamations, from the Compilation of Presidential Documents, include

Proclamation 9436—Older Americans Month, 2016 Proclamation 92689268-Older Americans Month, 2015

Proclamation 9114Older Americans Month, 2014

Proclamation 8971Older Americans Month, 2013

Proclamation 8809Older Americans Month, 2012

Earlier presidential proclamations are available through the Federal Digital System (FDsys) on the Government Publishing Office website.

Statistics

Numerous federal agencies maintain statistics on the elderly. Some useful data include

U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features: Older Americans Month, May 20162017.

Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Related Statistics, Older Americans 20122016: Key Indicators of Well Being.

Administration on Aging, A Profile of Older Americans: 20132016. (Previous profiles are available on the Administration on Aging website.)

Resources for Older Americans

A vast number of resources exist to directly help and inform older Americans and their caregivers. Some of these are

Aging and Disability Resource Center Directory

Eldercare Locator

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging

National Council on Aging, Benefits CheckUp

National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center

Senior Resource

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, HealthyPeople.gov

State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs)

Educational Opportunities for Seniors

Numerous programs are available to seniors to provide educational and fun experiences. Two well-established resources are

Educational Opportunities for Making Education Accessible to Seniors

Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel)

Volunteer Opportunities for Seniors

Active seniors may enjoy sharing their knowledge and skills by volunteering to help others. The following selections provide diverse volunteer opportunities, including some for living and volunteering abroad:

Go EcoSenior Volunteering

Senior Corps

Author Contact Information

[author name scrubbed], Technical Information Specialist ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])