Recognizing and celebrating the wisdom, experience and contributions of Philadelphians in the Second Half of Life during Older Americans Month.

WHEREAS, Philadelphians in the Second Half of Life are aging in a new age and are staying active, involved and engaged longer at work, in home, and throughout the community; and

WHEREAS, May has been nationally designated as Older Americans Month since President John F. Kennedy first recognized it in 1963; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has the opportunity to maximize the valuable resource of it's older Philadelphians in the Second Half of Life, a group with years of experience, strength in diversity, and a multiplicity of perspectives and backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphians in the Second Half of Life are a valuable resource, who are able to offer their talents, wisdom and resources to address the challenging issues facing our City; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphians in the Second Half of Life are a group with complex and differing needs and who also have integrity, dignity and the right to self-determination; and

WHEREAS, There will be 353,000 Philadelphians over the age of 55 by 2015; and

WHEREAS, The number of Philadelphians between the ages of 65-74 will increase by 17% between 2015 and 2025. The 75 to 84-year-old group will grow by 14%; and

WHEREAS, The concept of aging is transforming as growing proportions of older adults want to stay in their homes and continue to live within their communities; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphians in the Second Half of Life deserve recognition for the contributions they have made and will continue to make to our culture, our economy and the character of our communities; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and celebrates the wisdom, experience and contributions of Philadelphians in the Second Half of Life during Older Americans Month.

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