99-6428. National Older Workers Employment Week, 1999

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 49 (Monday, March 15, 1999)]
    [Presidential Documents]
    [Pages 12879-12880]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-6428]
    
    
    
    [[Page 12877]]
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    Part V
    
    
    
    
    
    The President
    
    
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    Proclamation 7173--National Older Workers Employment Week, 1999
    
    
                            Presidential Documents 
    
    
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 49 / Monday, March 15, 1999 / 
    Presidential Documents
    
    ___________________________________________________________________
    
    Title 3--
    The President
    
    [[Page 12879]]
    
                    Proclamation 7173 of March 11, 1999
    
                    
    National Older Workers Employment Week, 1999
    
                    By the President of the United States of America
    
                    A Proclamation
    
                    One of our Nation's most valuable but least appreciated 
                    assets is its workers aged 55 and older. Older 
                    Americans bring to the workplace sound judgment, broad 
                    knowledge and experience, proven problem-solving 
                    abilities, and a strong work ethic. Despite their often 
                    impressive qualifications, however, older men and women 
                    who attempt to change jobs or seek new careers 
                    frequently encounter difficulties. Some employers 
                    mistakenly fear that older workers lack the skills and 
                    flexibility to learn new technologies and procedures; 
                    others think that they no longer have the energy and 
                    motivation to compete in today's fast-paced and 
                    stressful work environment; still others are unwilling 
                    to pay older workers the salaries they deserve and 
                    prefer instead to hire younger, less experienced 
                    employees at lower rates. Such employers are short-
                    sighted.
    
                    Americans are living longer, healthier, more active 
                    lives. In the next century, as our economy continues to 
                    expand and the demand for skilled workers continues to 
                    grow, older citizens will become an increasingly vital 
                    resource. If our Nation is to thrive in the 21st 
                    century, we must encourage businesses to recognize the 
                    rich potential of older workers, to make the most of 
                    their knowledge, skills, and experience, and to retain 
                    qualified older employees in the workforce.
    
                    We must also remain vigilant in protecting the rights 
                    and well-being of older Americans. Laws such as the Age 
                    Discrimination Act, the Older Americans Act, and the 
                    Age Discrimination in Employment Act protect older 
                    workers from age bias and discrimination and help 
                    assure their fair treatment in the workplace. In 
                    addition, the Department of Labor and the Department of 
                    Health and Human Services, through such efforts as the 
                    Senior Community Service Employment Program and the 
                    programs of the Administration on Aging, assist older 
                    workers who give their time and energy to contribute to 
                    our Nation's economy.
    
                    As we observe this special week, let us remember with 
                    appreciation the many invaluable contributions older 
                    workers make to our country's progress and prosperity, 
                    and let us resolve to give older Americans an equal 
                    opportunity to participate in the workplace.
    
                    NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the 
                    United States, by virtue of the authority vested in me 
                    by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do 
                    hereby proclaim March 14 through March 20, 1999, as 
                    National Older Workers Employment Week. I urge 
                    employers across the Nation to recognize the energy and 
                    ability of older workers, and I encourage public 
                    officials responsible for job placement, training, and 
                    related services to intensify their efforts throughout 
                    the year to help older workers find suitable jobs and 
                    training.
    
    [[Page 12880]]
    
                    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                    eleventh day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen 
                    hundred and ninety-nine, and of the Independence of the 
                    United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
                    third.
    
                        (Presidential Sig.)
    
    [FR Doc. 99-6428
    Filed 3-12-99; 8:55 am]
    Billing code 3195-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
03/15/1999
Department:
Executive Office of the President
Entry Type:
Presidential Document
Document Type:
Proclamation
Document Number:
99-6428
Pages:
12879-12880 (2 pages)
EOCitation:
of 1999-03-11
PDF File:
99-6428.pdf