Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 72 Part 1.djvu/1789

 72

STAT.]

PUBLIC LAW 8 5 - 9 0 8 - S E P T. 2, 1958

(6) in order to prevent the additional years of life, given to us by our scientific development and abundant economy, from becoming a prolonged period of dying, we must step up research on the physical, psychological, and sociological factors in aging and in diseases common among middle-aged and older persons; and (7) we may expect average length of life and the number of older people to increase still further, we must proceed with all possible speed to correct these conditions and to create a social, economic, and health climate which will permit our middle-aged and older people to continue to lead proud and independent lives which will restore and rehabilitate many of them to useful and dignified positions among their neighbors; which will enhance the vigor and vitality of the communities and of our total economy; and which will prevent further aggravation of their problems with resulting increased social, financial, and medical burdens. DECLARATION OF POLICY

SEC. 102. (a) While the primary responsibility for meeting the challenge and problems of aging is that of the States and communities, all levels of government are involved and must necessarily share responsibility; and it is therefore the policy of the Congress that the Federal Government shall work jointly with the States and their citizens, to develop recommendations and plans for action, consistent with subsection (b) of this section, which will serve the purposes of— (1) assuring middle-aged and older persons equal opportunity with others to engage in gainful employment which they are capable of performing, thereby gaining for our economy the benefits of their skills, experience, and productive capacities; and (2) enabling retired persons to en]oy incomes sufficient for health and for participation in family and community life as self-respecting citizens; and (3) providing housing suited to the needs of older persons and at prices they can afford to pay; and (4) assisting middle-aged and older persons to make the preparation, develop skills and interests, and find social contacts which will make the gift of added years of life a period of reward and satisfaction and avoid unnecessary social costs of premature deterioration and disability; and (5) stepping up research designed to relieve old age of its burdens of sickness, mental breakdown, and social ostracism. (b) I t is further declared to be the policy of Congress that in all programs developed there should be emphasis upon the right and obligation of older persons to free choice and self-help in planning their own futures. DEFINITIONS

SEC. 108. For the purposes of this Act— (1) the term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare; (2) the term "State" includes Alaska, Hawaii, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam. TITLE II — W H I T E H O U S E C O N F E R E N C E ON A G I N G SEC. 201. (a) A AVhite House Conference on Aging to be called by the President of the United States in January 1961 in order to develop recommendations for further research and action in the field of aging, which will further the policies set forth in section 102 of this Act, shall be planned and conducted under the direction of the Secretary

1747

�