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88TH CONGRESS

1st Session

93184

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SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING

UNITED STATES SENATE.

TOGETHER WITH

SUPPLEMENTAL AND MINORITY VIEWS

PURSUANT TO

S. RES. 33, FEBRUARY 13, 1961

AND

S. RES. 238, FEBRUARY 7, 1962

Resolutions Authorizing a Study of the Problems
of the Aged and Aging

FEBRUARY 11, 1963.-Ordered to be printed

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1963

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington 25, D.C.- Price 60 cents

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NOTE.-Senator Smith was a member of the committee until November 6, 1962; Senator Long of Hawaii and Senator Bush ceased to be members January 2, 1963.

II

7.9.63

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

U.S. SENATE, February 8, 1963.

Hon. LYNDON B. JOHNSON,
President, U.S. Senate.

DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I have the honor of submitting to you the report of the Special Committee on Aging in accordance with Senate Resolution 33, adopted February 13, 1961, as amended by Senate Resolution 238, adopted February 7, 1962.

This report documents the activities and accomplishments of the committee and, in addition, reviews recent developments in this increasingly important area of national concern which deals with the problems of the aged and aging.

We believe that the achievements of the committee, as set forth in this report, confirm the wisdom of the Senate in establishing the special committee 2 years ago. One happy result in which the committee has played a significant part has been a sharpened focus and an increased public awareness of the problems facing the Nation's more than 17 million senior citizens.

A resolution to extend the activities of the committee for 1 year has been introduced and it is my hope that it will be approved.

On behalf of the other members of the committee and the committee staff, I should like to take this opportunity to express to you and to the other officers of the Senate our appreciation for the helpfulness and cooperation that have been so unfailingly extended to us.

Sincerely,

PAT MCNAMARA,

Chairman, Special Committee on Aging.

SENATE RESOLUTION 33, 87TH CONGRESS, 1ST SESSION

Whereas our great and satisfying success in making possible a longer life for a large and increasing percentage of our people has produced, and will continue to produce, new and serious strains in the fabric of our social and economic life; and

Whereas, since the sixteen millions of people sixty-five years of age and older in the United States will have increased to twenty million by 1975, it is incumbent upon us now to attempt to discover what social and economic conditions will enable our older citizens to contribute to our productivity and to lead meaningful, satisfying, independent lives; and

Whereas the Subcommittee on Problems of the Aged and Aging of the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare has amassed a wealth of information on the subject which is unmatched anywhere, which should be kept current and mined for possible answers to particular facets of the problem; and

Whereas that subcommittee has shown that although specific elements of the problem may call for action by various legislative committees, the problems themselves are highly interrelated, require coordinated review and call for recommendations based on studies in depth of the total problem; and

Whereas that subcommittee has concluded that this subject is of such grave concern to the Nation as to require the full time and attention of a special committee of the Senate: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That there is hereby created a special committee to be known as the Special Committee on Aging and to consist of nine Senators to be appointed by the President of the Senate as soon as practicable after the date of adoption of this resolution. Six members of the committee shall be appointed from the majority party and three members from the minority party.

SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of such committee to make a full and complete study and investigation of any and all matters pertaining to problems of older people, including but not limited to, problems of maintaining health, of assuring adequate income, of finding employment, of engaging in productive and rewarding activity, of securing proper housing, and, when necessary, care or assistance. No proposed legislation shall be referred to such committee, and such committee shall not have power to report by bill or otherwise have legislative jurisdiction. SEC. 3. The said committee, or any duly authorized subcommittee thereof, is authorized to sit and act at such places and times during the sessions, recesses, and adjourned periods of the Senate, to require by subpena or otherwise the attendance of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents, to administer such oaths, to take such testimony, to procure such printing and binding, and to make such expenditures as it deems advisable. SEC. 4. A majority of the members of the committee or any subcommittee thereof shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except that a lesser number, to be fixed by the committee, shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of taking sworn testimony.

SEC. 5. For purposes of this resolution, the committee is authorized to employ on a temporary basis through January 31, 1962, such technical, clerical, or other assistants, experts, and consultants: Provided, That the minority is authorized to select one person for appointment, and the person so selected shall be appointed and his compensation shall be so fixed that his gross rate shall not be less by more than $1,400 than the highest gross rate paid to any other employee; and, with the prior consent of the executive department or agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration, employ on a reimbursable basis such executive branch personnel, as it deems advisable.

SEC. 6. The expenses of the committee, which shall not exceed $150,000, shall be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate upon vouchers approved by the chairman of the committee.

SEC. 7. The committee shall report the results of its study and investigation, together with such recommendations as it may deem advisable, to the Senate at the earliest practicable date, but not later than January 31, 1962. The committee shall cease to exist at the close of business on January 31, 1962.

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