Designates May of each year as "Older Americans Month" in New Jersey.

SJR117

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 117

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MARCH 12, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT

District 31 (Hudson)

Senator� CARMEN F. AMATO, JR.

District 9 (Ocean)

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates May of each year as �Older Americans
Month� in New Jersey.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution
designating the month of May of
each year as �Older Americans Month� in New Jersey.

Whereas,

In 2020, there were more than 55 million individuals who were 65 years of age
or older in the United States, including 1.5 million individuals in the State
of New Jersey, and those individuals accounted for approximately 17 percent of
the national and State population; and

Whereas,

Older Americans have made immeasurable contributions to the social, civic, and
economic fabric of this State and country; and

Whereas,

The contributions and sacrifices that older Americans have made is no more
apparent than in the example of our older veterans, whose strength and
resilience throughout the twentieth and early twenty-first century safeguarded
the nation�s continued liberty and prosperity; and

Whereas,

Older Americans continue to play an important role in society by contributing
their experience, knowledge, wisdom, and accomplishments through vital
community roles such as volunteer work, the arts, cultural activities, civic
engagement, and the workforce; and

Whereas,

Fewer workers are transitioning directly from full-time work to full-time
retirement, with some taking part-time positions with their current or new
employers and others becoming self-employed, both to help maintain the sense of
purpose associated with employment and to remain financially flexible in an
uncertain economy; and

Whereas,

In New Jersey, the percentage of older Americans in the workforce increased
from 18.1 percent in 2020 to 37 percent in 2022, the largest workforce
participation rate increase in the country; and

Whereas,

According to the American Associated of Retired Persons, nearly 80 percent of
workers aged 40 to 65 have experienced age discrimination in the workplace,
with nearly all workers polled believing laws to combat age discrimination
should be stronger; and

Whereas,

The coronavirus pandemic has posed unique challenges for older Americans, as
the risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19 increases with age; and

Whereas,

Due to their vulnerability to severe illness from COVID-19, many older
Americans have isolated from family members and friends, experienced challenges
with economic security, and faced backlash from some who have ostracized older
Americans for taking precautionary measures during the pandemic; and

Whereas,

The many challenges facing older Americans will remain at the forefront of
challenges facing the nation, as the life expectancy of Americans has increased
since 1960 from 70.1 years to 78.9 years, and is expected to further increase
to 85.3 years by 2060; and

Whereas,

The month of May was first nationally designated as �Senior Citizens Month� in
1963, and in 1980, the designation was changed to �Older Americans Month,� and
since that time the national celebration of the month of May as �Older
Americans Month� has become a tradition; and

Whereas,

As a State, we need to continue our commitment to the goal of ensuring that
older Americans in New Jersey enjoy active, productive, and healthy lives, and
do so safely and with dignity; and

Whereas,

It is fitting and proper for the State of New Jersey to recognize and celebrate
the contributions of older Americans and rededicate our efforts to better serve
the older Americans of New Jersey; now, therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� The month of May of each
year is designated as �Older Americans Month� in the State of New Jersey to
honor and celebrate the important contributions of older individuals, publicly
recognize their continued value via vital roles in our communities, and to
rededicate our efforts to ensuring older Americans lead healthy, productive,
and purposeful lives.

���� 2.��� The Governor is
respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing May as
�Older Americans Month� and calling upon public officials and the residents of
New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.

���� 3.��� This joint resolution
shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This joint resolution
designates May of each year as �Older Americans Month� in New Jersey to
increase the public�s awareness and understanding of the numerous contributions
of New Jersey�s older Americans and to rededicate our efforts to better serve
the older Americans of New Jersey.

���� The contributions and
sacrifices that older Americans have made to this State and country are
immeasurable.� It is fitting for younger generations to show immense respect
and gratitude to their elders, especially now, as society exits a pandemic that
has posed unique challenges for older Americans.� Whether older Americans
retire in their fifties and sixties or continue working into their seventies
and eighties, it is important to revere their experience, wisdom, and
accomplishments in the workplace and in society.� Ensuring the State�s
continued commitment to causes that help older Americans in New Jersey enjoy
active, productive, and healthy lives safely and with dignity is paramount.�
Therefore, it is altogether fitting and proper to designate the month of May as
�Older Americans Month� in New Jersey.