Older Americans Month

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick

Whereas One in five Massachusetts residents is over the age of fifty-five; and

Whereas The first of the baby boomers are turning sixty-five with a life expectancy of at least twenty more years, and a life expectancy of 80.2 years – two years longer than the national average; and

Whereas Today’s seniors live healthier, longer, more independent lives, continuing to work and volunteer well beyond the age of sixty-five, thereby contributing to the stability and well-being of their communities; and

Whereas Many seniors are caring for parents, spouses, friends and siblings and an increasing number are raising their grandchildren; and

Whereas Massachusetts is committed to providing recognition and respect that is the right of all seniors, by fostering the principles of our Aging Agenda; to increasing opportunities for seniors to remain active in their communities; offering the community-based services and supports they need to live with dignity and as independently as possible; and combating ageism by honoring their past, present and future contributions,

Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim May 2012,  to be

Older Americans Month

And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this first day of May, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
               By His Excellency                  

Deval L Patrick                   
Governor of the Commonwealth      

William Francis Galvin             
Secretary of the Commonwealth

     
God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts