THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release June 11, 2014

WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY, 2014

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Each year, the international community renews its

commitment to addressing a human rights issue that too often

goes ignored — elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Elder

abuse damages public health and threatens millions of our

parents, grandparents, and friends. It is a crisis that knows

no borders or socio-economic lines. On World Elder Abuse

Awareness Day, we strengthen our resolve to replace neglect with

care and exploitation with respect.

America must lead by example, and my Administration remains

dedicated to ending elder abuse, supporting victims, and holding

abusers accountable. Under the Affordable Care Act, we enacted

the Elder Justice Act. Through this law, the Federal Government

has invested in identifying, responding to, and preventing elder

abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Because eliminating this

pervasive crime requires coordinated action, we are bringing

together Federal agencies; non-profit and private sector

partners; and State, local, and tribal governments. Together,

we can build a more responsive criminal justice system, give

seniors the tools to avoid financial scams, and determine the

best ways to prevent elder abuse before it starts.

Seniors have provided for their families, risen to the

challenges of their times, and built ladders of opportunity for

future generations. Many have served our Nation with honor.

After decades of hard work, they have earned the right to enjoy

their retirement years with a basic sense of security. Today,

let us join with partners around the globe in declaring that we

will not fail the men and women who raised us, sacrificed for

us, and shaped our world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the

United   States of America, by virtue of the authority vested

in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States,

do hereby proclaim June 15, 2014, as World Elder Abuse Awareness

Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day by learning

the signs of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and by

raising awareness about this growing public health issue.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this

eleventh day of June, in the year of our Lord

two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the

United   States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

BARACK OBAMA

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