- Record: Senate Floor
- Section type: Recognition
- Chamber: Senate
- Date: May 21, 2026
- Congress: 119th Congress
- Why this source matters: This section came from the Senate floor portion of the record.
SENATE RESOLUTION 749—DESIGNATING MAY 2026 AS “OLDER AMERICANS
MONTH”
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:
S. Res. 749
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.