2024 House Resolution 242

Whereas, According to the 2021 American Community Survey five-year data set, 2,438,552 Michiganians are age 60 or older, equating to 1 of every 4 citizens being an older adult as defined by the Older Americans Act; and

Whereas, There are more older adults than children under the age of 18 in our state (2,188,856); and

Whereas, There are more older adults than pre-k through 12th grade students in our state (1,624,039); and

Whereas, Ten thousand Americans celebrate their 65th birthday every day and become eligible for Medicare; and

Whereas, Older Michiganians are critical to Michigan’s economy, workforce, educational systems, faith-based institutions, charitable organizations, and institutions of government; and

Whereas, Many amongst them survived the Great Depression, sacrificed at home and abroad to defeat fascism and imperialism in World War II, built the post-war American economy, advocated for civil rights, led our state into the 21st Century and have now lived through the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic; and

Whereas, Older adults deserve our utmost respect and gratitude for their many contributions to our communities. Older citizens play vital leadership, volunteer, and mentoring roles all across our great state. Their lifetime contributions are immense and immeasurable in sum, while also being deeply personal, impactful, and meaningful on an individual basis; and

Whereas, Older adults are one of our state’s greatest resources for understanding our past and improving our future. They are truly a foundation upon which we can build a better tomorrow; and

Whereas, This invaluable group of citizens is being honored and admired for their many years of service in communities large and small across the entire state of Michigan. They have been an indispensable source of knowledge and inspiration throughout the years; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 1, 2024, as Older Michiganians Day in the state of Michigan. We honor our state’s population of older citizens.