SRC-CDH S.C.R. 36 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.C.R. 36 By: Zaffirini Health & Human Services 3-17-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the Texas Department on Aging is the state agency exclusively mandated by statute to serve the state's citizens 60 years of age or older. By 2020, the State of Texas' 65-and-older population will double, raising the importance of addressing issues such as retirement, health care, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and long-term care. This resolution endorses the department's efforts to form a partnership of state agencies and elected officials to address major public policy issues related to the aging population of Texas. This resolution also endorses the formation of a similarly-oriented coalition of citizens from various professions that would develop materials and sponsor a public awareness called "Aging Texas Well" aimed at helping Texans address individual and family preparedness for retirement and aging. PURPOSE As proposed, S.C.R. 36 submits the following resolutions: That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas endorse the efforts of the Texas Department on Aging, as the central unit of the state network on aging, to promote the formation of a partnership of state government agencies and elected officials to address all major public policy issues related to the aging population of Texas. That the Texas Legislature support the efforts of the citizens of Texas, in cooperation with the Texas Department on Aging, to form a coalition encompassing representatives of finance, law, health care, housing, business and industry, the media, faith communities, and senior citizens' groups to develop materials and sponsor a public awareness campaign that will help Texans prepare for their retirement and aging from a holistic perspective. That the secretary of state forward an official copy of this resolution to the executive director of the Texas Department on Aging.