Statement Of Jean Roesser

Environmental Protection Agency
Aging Initiative Public Listening Session
Baltimore, Maryland
May 7, 2003

Jean Roesser
Secretary
Maryland Department of Aging

Good Afternoon. It's my pleasure to be here with you today and to bring greetings from Governor Robert Ehrlich and Lt Governor Michael Steele.

I'd like to thank EPA Administrator Christine Whitman and her staff for bringing this important public listening session to Maryland, which is home to some of our nations finest medical and research institutions, and home to more than 800,000 senior adults who each deserve some special attention as we honor them during May, Older Americans Month.

It is also a pleasure to join my colleagues from MD Department of the Environment, University of Maryland Schools of Medicine and Nursing and the Baltimore Commission on Aging and Retirement Education. Maryland is fortunate to have so many professionals and experts in the fields of healthcare, aging, research and environment to participate in this process.

We have an important mission today. We are helping to shape a national agenda that will:

examine possible environmental threats to the health of older persons,
study the impact of our growing older population on the environment,
increase the numbers of older volunteers who can work locally to reduce air and water pollution and other environmental hazards.

At the Maryland Department of Aging, we envision this state as a place where older citizens can live better to live longer. We often refer to living better in terms of eating right, receiving appropriate medical care, preventing or reducing the onset of disease and chronic conditions, living independently in our own homes and communities, and being active or exercising,

all of which are impacted by the environment.

As we live better and live longer, there are going to be more of us here. In Maryland, we expect our 60 and older population to increase dramatically from 800,000 in 2003 to more than 1.6 million in 2030,

a factor that will certainly have an effect our environment.

We also have an untapped resource of older volunteers in this nation who have the time and ability to help protect the environment. Older volunteers can educate our young people to teach them to respect and care for our land, water and air, and they can advocate work with local authorities to protect the environment for the future. Older volunteers can also work with their peers to encourage recycling, and water and energy conservation.

I am pleased to see a diverse group of Maryland citizens who are here today to share their opinions and expertise. You are each playing a key role in shaping environmental policy.

I applaud Administrator Whitman for her commitment to protecting the health and safety of older persons and for convening the public listening sessions to help direct the nations' environmental efforts.

The National Agenda on the Environment and Aging is an important priority that will benefit seniors and their families now and in the future. We look forward to working together to strengthen and build a healthy and safe environment for all citizens.

Thank you.

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