[Filed with Secretary of State June 2, 2015.]
AJR 8, 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.
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 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.
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