S.Res. 749

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 749 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 749

Designating May 2026 as ``Older Americans Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 21, 2026

Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Tuberville, Ms. 
Warren, Mr. Justice, Ms. Collins, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Kim, and Mrs. 
Moody) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Designating May 2026 as ``Older Americans Month''.

Whereas President John F. Kennedy first designated May as ``Senior Citizens 
Month'' in 1963;
Whereas, in 1963, only approximately 17,778,000 individuals living in the United 
States were 65 years of age or older, approximately \1/3\ of those 
individuals lived in poverty, and few programs existed to meet the needs 
of older individuals in the United States;
Whereas, in 2025, there were more than 64,617,088 individuals who were 65 years 
of age or older living in the United States, and those individuals 
accounted for 18.9 percent of the total population of the United States;
Whereas approximately 11,467 individuals in the United States turn 65 years of 
age each day;
Whereas, in 2025, more than 8,055,160 veterans of the Armed Forces were 65 years 
of age or older;
Whereas older individuals in the United States rely on Federal programs, such as 
programs under the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), 
including the Medicare program under title XVIII of that Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395 et seq.) and the Medicaid program under title XIX of that Act (42 
U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), for financial security and high-quality affordable 
health care;
Whereas the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) provides--

(1) supportive services to help older individuals in the United States 
maintain maximum independence in the homes and communities of those 
individuals; and

(2) funding for programs that promote social connection and improve the 
health and well-being of older individuals, including nutrition services, 
transportation, and care management, which assist more than 14,000,000 
older individuals in the United States each year;

Whereas, as local aging network leaders, Area Agencies on Aging are critical 
partners in the healthy aging continuum;
Whereas, in 2025, an estimated 7,016,000 individuals in the United States who 
were 65 years of age or older continued to work as full-time, year-round 
employees;
Whereas older individuals in the United States play an important role in society 
by continuing to contribute their experience, knowledge, wisdom, and 
accomplishments;
Whereas older individuals in the United States play vital roles in their 
communities and remain involved in volunteer work, the arts, cultural 
activities, and activities relating to mentorship and civic engagement;
Whereas more than 143,000 older individuals serve as AmeriCorps Seniors 
volunteers in the Foster Grandparent Program, Senior Companion Program, 
and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, helping communities by 
mentoring and tutoring children, providing independent living support 
and companionship to other older adults, addressing food insecurity, and 
more; and
Whereas a society that recognizes the success of older individuals and continues 
to enhance the access of older individuals to quality and affordable 
health care will--

(1) encourage the ongoing participation and heightened independence of 
older individuals; and

(2) ensure the continued safety and well-being of older individuals: 
Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates May 2026 as ``Older Americans Month''; and
(2) encourages the people of the United States to provide 
opportunities for older individuals to continue to flourish 
by--
(A) emphasizing the importance and leadership of 
older individuals through public recognition of the 
ongoing achievements of older individuals;
(B) presenting opportunities for older individuals 
to share their wisdom, experience, and skills with 
younger generations; and
(C) recognizing older individuals as valuable 
assets in strengthening communities across the United 
States.
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