| R 269 |
| 2024 -- H 8250 Enacted 05/07/2024 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING MAY OF 2024, TO BE "OLDER AMERICANS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Kennedy, Ajello, Shallcross Smith, Fellela, McNamara, and Boylan |
| Date Introduced: May 07, 2024 |
| WHEREAS, Older Americans Month began in 1963 as "Senior Citizens Month" after a |
| meeting between President John Kennedy and the National Council of Senior Citizens. It became |
| Older Americans Month in 1965; and |
| WHEREAS, When Older Americans Month was established, 17 million Americans were |
| 65 and older, with approximately a third living in poverty. Today, more than 62 million |
| Americans are aged 65 and older and that number is projected to increase by 23 percent by 2054. |
| The poverty rate amongst older Americans has increased from 8.9 percent in 2020 to 10.3 percent |
| in 2021; and |
| WHEREAS, Older Americans Month acknowledges and celebrates the many |
| contributions older adults have made, and continue to make, in support of our nation, especially |
| our senior veterans. Older Americans Month is celebrated across the nation with public |
| ceremonies, fairs, activities and other events; and |
| WHEREAS, Every day, older Americans contribute their wisdom, experience, time and |
| resources in support of their communities. They assist young families as they navigate through |
| the joys and travails of raising children, are key supporters and contributors to many civic |
| organizations and charitable entities, and are a key component of the national economy; and |
| WHEREAS, Engagement and respect between younger and older generations is an |
| important fabric of American life. It is important that American society offer senior Americans |
| the services, resources and support they need in order to live as independently as possible, make |
| the choices that are best for them and their families and loved ones, and to choose their own paths |
| as they age; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode island hereby |
| proclaims the Month of May to be "Older Americans Month" in the State of Rhode Island; and be |
| it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Maria Cimini, Director of Rhode Island office |
| of healthy aging. |
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| LC005967 |
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