California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Joint Resolution No. 8

Introduced by Assembly Member Brown

February 25, 2015

Assembly Joint Resolution No. 8—Relative to the Older Americans Act of 1965.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AJR 8, as introduced, Brown. Older Americans Act of 1965.

This measure would recognize the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act of 1965, affirm the Legislature’s continuing support for the goals of the act, and memorialize the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate to reauthorize the act.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the enactment
of the Older Americans Act of 1965; and

WHEREAS, During the past 50 years, the implementation of
the Older Americans Act of 1965 has contributed to the economic
well-being of millions of older Americans, and has improved the
quality of life for those individuals; and

WHEREAS, One of the key elements contributing to the
successful implementation of the Older Americans Act of 1965
has been the establishment of an aging network composed of local
area agencies on aging, providers of congregate and home-delivered
nutrition, and many other community service providers; and

WHEREAS, The federal Administration on Aging in the United
States Department of Health and Human Services was created by
the Older Americans Act of 1965, and has been empowered to act
as an effective advocate for the concerns and needs of older
individuals; and

WHEREAS, The Older Americans Act of 1965 serves as a
model for the development of community-based services, including
services that provide alternatives to the institutionalization of older
individuals; and

WHEREAS, Some of the programs authorized under the Older
Americans Act of 1965 were created to address the specific
concerns of those older Americans with the greatest social and
economic needs, especially minority older Americans; and

WHEREAS, Many services under the Older Americans Act of
1965, including long-term care ombudsman and legal services
providers, have acted as powerful advocates for older individuals;
and

WHEREAS, The Older Americans Act of 1965 has brought
together thousands of dedicated professionals and volunteers and
has provided inspiration to those individuals; and

WHEREAS, Services authorized under the Older Americans
Act of 1965 have provided important part-time community service
employment opportunities for low-income older individuals; and

WHEREAS, Many older individuals, and those who serve them,
have benefited greatly from the research, training, and education
that programs established under the Older Americans Act of 1965
have provided; and

WHEREAS, Some of the programs under the Older Americans
Act of 1965 were designed to address the special needs of older
Native Americans; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the changing needs of a rapidly
aging society, the Older Americans Act of 1965 has been
periodically amended; and

WHEREAS, The Older Americans Act of 1965 served as the
foundation for an effective human services policy for millions of
Americans as the United States entered the 21st century; now,
therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California and the
Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature
recognizes the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Older
Americans Act of 1965, and the successful implementation of that
act; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature applauds the many and varied
contributions at all levels of the aging network fostered by the
Older Americans Act of 1965; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature affirms support for the Older
Americans Act of 1965, and the primary its goals of that act of
providing services to maintain the dignity of older Californians,
and promoting the independence of those individuals; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Legislature memorializes the United States
House of Representatives and the United States Senate to
reauthorize the Older Americans Act of 1965 forthwith, with
adequate funding to reflect the growing populations of Americans
who benefit from the act’s programs and services; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United
States, to the Speaker of the United States House of
Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the United States Senate,
and to each Senator and Representative from the State of California
in the Congress of the United States.