Proclamation 5821 --
Older Americans Month, 1988
By
the President of the
A
Proclamation
Celebration
of Older Americans Month summons us as individuals and as a Nation to careful
reflection on our attitudes toward and treatment of those of us who are
elderly.
If
we answer this summons, the need for commensurate action will be apparent to
us. Senior citizens merit our express appreciation for their countless,
invaluable contributions, past and present, to our Nation. They deserve as well
our best efforts to avoid and to dispel false ideas about aging. This requires
all of us to become more willing to familiarize ourselves with the many ways
older people continue to achieve in every area of endeavor as they begin second
careers, further their educations, and voluntarily serve their neighbors both
at home and abroad. We can also resolve to lend our support as the private
sector and public agencies help senior citizens maintain independence and as
State and Area Agencies on Aging work with community leaders and groups to
create responsive service systems for older Americans.
By
every indication, those systems are working well, as is the overall economy
whose growth and vitality are necessary for these systems to function as they
are designed. The Social Security system, which began the decade in desperate
straits, has been rescued and is on solid ground as we near the end of the
'80s. Reform of the tax code has brought relief to
many elderly taxpayers, and up to a quarter of all of these citizens will pay
no Federal income tax whatsoever. The poverty rate among the elderly has been
reduced to the lowest level in our history.
The
true wealth of our older Americans -- some 30 million men and women over the
age of 65 whose life expectancy continues to grow -- lies in the wisdom and
experience they have to offer succeeding generations. We are wise ourselves to
tap that accumulation of knowledge and good judgment and to pay the tribute of
close attention to our venerable fellow citizens, the prime architects of the
peace, freedom, and prosperity that are our present blessing and future hope.
The
Congress, by House Joint Resolution 508, has recognized the month of May 1988
as ``Older Americans Month'' and has requested the President to issue a
proclamation in observance of this event.
Now,
Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the
In
Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of May, in the year
of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the
Ronald
Reagan
[Filed with the Office
of the Federal Register,