Older Americans Month, 2000

Proclamation 7301 of May 2, 2000

Older Americans Month, 2000

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Older Americans are a treasured link to our past. With
courage, hard work, and unwavering devotion to family,
community, and country, our older citizens helped to
make the 20th century the American century. They
preserved our freedom through the crucible of World War
II; opposed Communist aggression in Korea and through
the long, dark years of the Cold War; marched for labor
reform and civil rights; raised their families,
volunteered in their communities, and often postponed
their own dreams to fulfill the dreams of their
children. Their character, values, and patriotism laid
the foundation for the peace and prosperity we enjoy
today.

Older Americans have indeed contributed much to the
story of our past; and they have much still to offer
our future. Today, people are living longer, more
active, and more independent lives than ever before,
and one in four Americans between the ages of 65 and 69
has a job, either part-time or full-time. Many older
Americans want to work, are able to work, and have
skills and experience that businesses need in today's
booming economy.

Recognizing the changing role of older men and women in
our society, this year the Congress unanimously passed,
and I was pleased to sign into law, the Senior
Citizens' Freedom to Work Act of 2000, which ushers in
a new era of opportunity for older Americans. Before
passage of this landmark legislation, seniors who
continued to work after age 65 risked having some of
their Social Security benefits withheld until they
stopped working or turned 70 years old. By eliminating
this confusing and outdated retirement earnings test,
the new legislation will ensure that millions of older
workers who wish to continue working will be able to
keep their full Social Security benefits regardless of
their age or earning level.

It is appropriate that we enact this new law in the
year when we celebrate the 65th anniversary of Social
Security and the 35th anniversary of Medicare,
Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act. Millions of
older citizens have been assisted by these programs,
and, as the baby boom generation ages, millions more
will be relying on them in this new century.

To recognize the profound debt our Nation owes its
older citizens, and to prepare wisely for the impact
that increasing longevity will have on nearly every
aspect of our society in the coming years, we must
reaffirm our commitment to saving Social Security,
strengthening Medicare--including a prescription drug
benefit--and modernizing, improving, and reauthorizing
the Older Americans Act. We must also enact my
Administration's long-term care initiative, which,
among other important measures, provides tax relief and
support services to the millions of family caregivers
who devote countless hours to helping older loved ones
remain in their homes and communities. By doing so, we
can both honor the immeasurable contributions that
older men and women bring to our national life and
ensure that they lead independent, active, fulfilling
lives for many years to come.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim May 2000 as Older Americans
Month. I urge Government officials, business people,
community leaders, educators, volunteers, and all the
people of the United States to celebrate the
contributions older Americans have made, and continue
to make, to the progress and prosperity of our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
second day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand, and of the Independence of the United States
of America the two hundred and twenty-fourth.