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OPA News Release: [09/24/2002]
Contact Name: Elissa Pruett
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Issues Proclamation
Honoring National Older Worker Week 2002

WASHINGTON — U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao this evening addressed AARP’s dinner to honor this year’s Best Companies for Workers Over 50 AARP recognizes these companies for understanding the value of the mature worker, as well as their leadership in aggressively recruiting, retaining and promoting mature workers. In addition to her remarks, the Secretary also issued a proclamation to honor National Older Worker Week. The proclamation reads as follows:

America is witnessing a dramatic growth in its population of those 55 and older, a trend that will continue well into the 21^st century. The graying of our population has already had a profound effect on public policy and will continue to help shape and affect the dynamics of our society. As our population continues to age, older workers will play an increasingly important role in maintaining our economy and America’s leadership in the world marketplace. Americans aged 55 and older are the dedicated and experienced core of our workforce. Their contributions to the nation, as paid workers and volunteers in both the private and public sectors, are immeasurable.

Though Americans aged 55 and older represent one of our nation’s greatest resources, challenges still exist to their full integration into the nation’s workforce. Older Americans who wish to continue to work, have lost their jobs, or seek a new career, face numerous barriers that include: employer attitudes and workplace practices that hinder their continued employment; pension plans and retirement systems that discourage employment beyond a given age; and regulations and workplace policies that inhibit flexible work arrangements and phased retirement.

In this new century, we are witnessing the blurring of the line of demarcation that has distinguished productive work years from those of retirement. Given the complexity and challenges of the emerging millennium, this country must adopt new policies and initiatives to encourage the older population to continue to use their unique combinations of knowledge, skills, insight, and experience in the workforce for the betterment of us all.

I encourage the American people, including employers, workers and public officials, to honor and celebrate the participation of older workers in the labor force during the week of September 22 through September 28, 2002, National Older Workers Week. I further urge all employers to recognize older workers as vital to meeting the challenges of the 21^st century. I also encourage public officials responsible for job placement, training, and related services to intensify their efforts throughout the year to help older workers locate and obtain available training and employment.

List of Companies

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