The American Legion is one of over 400 national organizations concerned with older people and is involved in the planning and activities of the "White House Conference on Aging" called by the President to moet in Washington, D.C. the week of November 28, 197.. The goal: A more realistic and comprehensive national policy for older Americans. Reports now show that there are more than 20 million older people in our population. One in every ten Americas has reached or passed his 65th birthday, and the number is growing The Older Worker Class: Hundreds of thousands not yet old, not yet voluntarily retired, find themselves jobless because of arbitary ag discrimination. However, since the Age Discrimination in Employ Act of 1967, much progress has been made. In view of the large number, 42 million middle-aged Americans, many employment problems still exist. Of the 42 million/are the age class of 55 to 6l, and 24 million aged 45 to 54. Opportunities must be opened to the many Americans in the middle-aged class who are qualified and willing to work. Many find themselves "old" in their labor market, caught in a conflict between the lenghtening of life and the shortening of work careers. are The American Legion desires to re. its responsibility to all veterans in finding suitable employment, and we must by every means encom employers to afford the older veteran an opportunity to be gainfull cployed. Recognition by présentation of Citation Awards is en way of showing our appreciation to employers who recognize the value and contribution older workers twe mking to their commang and society. SUGGESTIONS AND INFORMATION FOR THE SELECTION OF THE 1971 OLDER WORKER CITATION AWARD 1. 2. 3. Department Officials make the recommendation and the selection for the 1971 Older Worker National Citation Award. The criteria on which a selection is made should be based upon the overall employment policy of an employer where the services of older workers are utilized. A small business may be more worthy to receive an award than a large firm. Consideration should be given to all employers. 4. Furnish the National Employment Committee a brief summary of the employer's record which qualified it for the award. 5. 6. 7. The Citations are laminated. You are urged to provide the exact wording of the recipient's name, city and state, and allow at least 30 days before presentation date is scheduled. Forward to: National Employment Committee, The American Legion, 1608 "K" Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. It is suggested that the award be presented during the The public relations value should not be overlooked. Since this is a nationwide program, some departments receive national publicity, Send a copy of all press releases, programs, etc., to the National Employment Committee. www. SUBJECT : ASKING VETERANS EMPLOYMENT SERVICE TO INCREASE AND WHEREAS, The American Legion has looked with compassion on the specialized needs of the disabled veteran and the older veteran, and WHEREAS, Seriously disabled Vietnam veterans, in increasing numbers, are now seeking gainful employment, and WHEREAS, The advancing age of World War II veterans and the incidence of disability creates serious employment problems for these veterans, and THEREAS, The American Legion has worked successfully in providing legislation to provide "a maximum of job opportunity in gainful employment," and WHEREAS, The responsibility of providing specialized services to meet the unemployment problems of older veterans and disabled veterans has been given to the U.S. Department of Labor through the U.S. Manpower Administration, the Veterans Employment Service and the various State Employment Services, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, by The American Legion in National Convention assembled in Portland, Oregon, September 1, 2, 3, 1970, that the National Economic Commission be requested to inform Congress of the specialized employment needs of these veterans and to request provision for adequate funds so that the designated Federal and State Agencies may fully comply with their responsibilities to serve disabled veterans and older veterans, and be it further RESOLVED, that the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Manpower Administration and the Veterans Employment Service be asked to increase and intensify services to disabled veterans and older veterans. Honorable Thomas F. Eagleton, Chairman Subcommittee on Aging Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare Washington, D. C. 20510 Dear Senator Eagleton: In connection with your hearings on S. 1307, the Middle-Aged and Older Workers Employment Act, and related bills, I am taking the liberty of submitting the attached statement, will appreciate having it included in the hearing record. and Also enclosed is some material concerning our organization, which might be of interest to you. STATEMENT OF MR. FRANK H. HOLT, PRESIDENT OF FORTY PLUS OF WASHINGTON, INC.,BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON AGING OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE, IN SUPPORT OF S.1307 AND RELATED BILLS TO IMPROVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER WORKERS, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1971 Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, my name is Frank H. Holt. I am President of FORTY PLUS OF WASHINGTON, INC., 810 Eighteenth Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. I greatly appreciate this opportunity to make my views known with regard to S. 1307 and similar proposals designed to improve employment opportunities for middleaged and older workers. FORTY PLUS OF WASHINGTON is a non-profit, self-help cooperative organization which was established in 1953. Its sole purpose is to place our continuously changing membership of professionals and executives over 40 years of age in suitable positions. Today, there are some 19 FORTY PLUS groups in major cities across the country and in several foreign locations. All are working independently in a cooperative venture to help mature and talented people to find employment. As a result of the mutual self-help marketing efforts of FORTY PLUS members, thousands of broadly experienced and highly talented individuals have been placed in business, industry, and government. Needless to say, we are delighted to strongly support the legislation |