Senior Corps Week

WHEREAS, older Americans bring a lifetime of skills and experience as parents, workers and citizens that can be tapped to meet challenges in our communities; and

WHEREAS, for more than four decades, Senior Corps and its three programs, RSVP, Senior Companions and Foster Grandparents, have proven to be a highly effective way to engage Americans ages 55 and over in meeting national and community needs; and

WHEREAS, each year, Senior Corps provides opportunities for nearly 330,000 older Americans across the nation, including approximately 11,516 in Alabama, to serve their communities; and

WHEREAS, last year, Senior Corps volunteers provided more than 96.2 million hours of service helping to improve the lives of our most vulnerable citizens, strengthen our educational system, protect our environment, provide independent living services and contribute to our public safety; and

WHEREAS, Senior Corps volunteers build capacity of organizations and communities by serving through more than 65,000 nonprofit, community, educational and faith-based community groups nationwide; and

WHEREAS, at a time of mounting social needs and growing interest in service by older Americans, there is an unprecedented opportunity to harness the talents of volunteers ages 55 and over to address community challenges; and

WHEREAS, service by older Americans helps keep them active, healthy and engaged; helps our communities by solving local problems; and helps our nation by saving taxpayer dollars, reducing healthcare costs and strengthening our democracy; and

WHEREAS, the fourth annual Senior Corps Week, taking place May 6 through May 10, 2013, is an opportunity to thank Senior Corps volunteers for their service and recognize their positive impact and value to our communities and nation:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the week of May 6 through May 10, 2013, as

Senior Corps Week

in the state of Alabama.