World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 2014

Proclamation 9141 of June 11, 2014

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Each year, the international community renews its
commitment to addressing a human rights issue that too
often goes ignored--elder abuse, neglect, and
exploitation. Elder abuse damages public health and
threatens millions of our parents, grandparents, and
friends. It is a crisis that knows no borders or socio-
economic lines. On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we
strengthen our resolve to replace neglect with care and
exploitation with respect.

America must lead by example, and my Administration
remains dedicated to ending elder abuse, supporting
victims, and holding abusers accountable. Under the
Affordable Care Act, we enacted the Elder Justice Act.
Through this law, the Federal Government has invested
in identifying, responding to, and preventing elder
abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Because eliminating
this pervasive crime requires coordinated action, we
are bringing together Federal agencies; non-profit and
private sector partners; and State, local, and tribal
governments. Together, we can build a more responsive
criminal justice system, give seniors the tools to
avoid financial scams, and determine the best ways to
prevent elder abuse before it starts.

Seniors have provided for their families, risen to the
challenges of their times, and built ladders of
opportunity for future generations. Many have served
our Nation with honor. After decades of hard work, they
have earned the right to enjoy their retirement years
with a basic sense of security. Today, let us join with
partners around the globe in declaring that we will not
fail the men and women who raised us, sacrificed for
us, and shaped our world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim June 15, 2014, as
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. I call upon all
Americans to observe this day by learning the signs of
elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and by raising
awareness about this growing public health issue.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eleventh day of June, in the year of our Lord two
thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.