Title
To recognize the month of may as Older Americans Month in the City of Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, established by President John F. Kennedy as "Senior Citizens Month", Older Americans Month is a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country; and
WHEREAS, the first Older Americans Month took place in 1963, a time when only 17 million living Americans reached their 65th birthdays and about a third of older Americans lived in poverty with few programs to meet their needs; and
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of this and all U.S. communities to work collaboratively to address older adults' unique health and long-term care challenges and it is crucial that communities modernize systems of care to help empower older Americans and give them more control over their own lives; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2000 United States Census, 22.3% of the population of the State of Ohio was 55 years of age or older; and
WHEREAS, this year's theme for Older Americans Month is Living Today for a Better Tomorrow reflecting a continued focus on prevention efforts and programs throughout the country that are helping older adults have better health as they age and avoid the risks of chronic disease, disability and injury; and
WHEREAS, older Americans are valuable members of our society who enhance our communities and personal lives and our older citizens of today and tomorrow promise to be among the most active and involved older adult populations in our nation's history; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council hereby recognizes the month of May as Older Americans Month in the City of Columbus.