MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2002 3rd Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Dawkins, Blackmon, Williamson, Lee, Furniss, Walls, Jackson, King, Dearing, Michel, Jordan, Chaney, Stogner, Hewes, Browning, Harvey, Cuevas, Canon, Frazier

Senate Resolution 6

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER AS HEALTHY AGING MONTH.

     WHEREAS, the Healthy Aging Campaign has designated September as "Healthy Aging Month"; and

     WHEREAS, the Healthy Aging Campaign is a national ongoing health promotion designed to promote the positive aspects of aging and to provide information and inspiration for adults, age 50 or older, to improve their physical, mental, social and financial fitness; and

     WHEREAS, a majority of the members of the Mississippi State Senate are also members of the demographic group, age 50 or older, served by the Healthy Aging Campaign; and

     WHEREAS, many Mississippi citizens are also members of the group, 27% age 50 or older, with 12% of our state's population age 65 or older; and

     WHEREAS, Mississippi's Center for Policy Research and Planning predicts that our state will, in the next 15 years, see age composition shift to an older age structure, with a higher proportion of older people and a higher median age; and

     WHEREAS, recognizing that caring for greater numbers of an aging populace may greatly increase future health care costs, the Mississippi Senate shall plan and encourage wellness among older adults by participating in the Healthy Aging Campaign; and

     WHEREAS, by planning and encouraging wellness and fitness among older adults, it is the intent of the members of the Mississippi Senate to reduce and minimize future health care costs for citizens of all ages; and

     WHEREAS, the Healthy Aging Campaign is part of a pilot project designed to improve nutrition and physical activity in older adults:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby designate/acknowledge September as Health Aging Month.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution shall be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.