Assistant Secretary Josefina G. Carbonell Addresses 14th Conference of First Ladies, Spouses and Representatives of Heads of State And Government of the Americas in El Salvador

HHS Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina G. Carbonell, representing First Lady Laura Bush, addressed the 14th Conference of First Ladies, Spouses and Representatives of Heads of State and Government of the Americas held November 19 to 21, 2007 in San Salvador, El Salvador. The theme of the Conference, “Building a Society for All Ages” had a particular emphasis on the health, dignity and independence of older persons as well as the critical roles that women play in the family and the community. This is the first time that this Conference has selected aging as its theme. Assistant Secretary Carbonell's remarks to the representatives of the 17 countries in attendance reflected the leadership and priorities of President Bush and Mrs. Bush to promote quality health and long term care for people of all ages and to remove barriers to community living to people with disabilities. Ms. Carbonell was joined by Stacie Maass, Special Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. The First Ladies Conference culminated on November 21, 2007 with the adoption of the Declaration of San Salvador. The main themes of the Declaration include:

• The creation of an environment favorable to the development and participation of older people in the family, community and society
• Older Persons and Health
• Older Persons and Disability

The Assistant Secretary for Aging Announces Adoption of the United Nation's Economic Commission on Europe Ministerial Declaration

HHS Assistant Secretary for Aging, Josefina G. Carbonell has announced the adoption of the United Nations Economic Commmission for Europe (UNECE) Ministerial Declaration, “A Society for all Ages: Challenges and Opportunities.” This declaration was negotiated and agreed to by the assembly of 46 member countries at the 2007 UNECE Ministerial Conference on Ageing held in Leon, Spain, November 6-8, 2007. The declaration reaffirms the commitments made in the Berlin Ministerial Declaration in 2002 to implement the Regional Implementation Strategy of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) adopted at the Madrid World Assembly on Ageing.

Assistant Secretary Carbonell provided the U.S. statement during the ministerial session of the closing day of the assembly. In her statement, she indicated that under the leadership of President Bush, the U.S. reaffirms its commitment to the themes addressed by the MIPAA. Ms. Carbonell reported that five years following the adoption of the MIPAA, the U.S. has achieved the objectives outlined in her statement to the full assembly of 150 member countries at the World Assembly on Ageing in 2002 -- “we are committed to strengthening and modernizing our health insurance program for the elderly, improving access to health care, expanding prescription drug benefits, and preventing diseases.”

Click here for additional information on the conference visit
Click here for Assistant Secretary's Ministerial Statement
Click here for Assistant Secretary's Towards a Balanced Care Strategy Panel Remarks

Assistant Secretary for Aging addresses the conference	Assistant Secretary for Aging talks with a 108 year old resident at the Residencia Virgen del Camino, Leon, Spain
Assistant Secretary for Aging during interview with Sesenta y más magazine	Assistant Secretary for Aging during interview with Sesenta y más magazine

National American Indian Heritage Month, 2007
A Proclamation By the President of the United States of America

National American Indian Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor the many contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives and to recognize the strong and living traditions of the first people to call our land home.

American Indians and Alaska Natives continue to shape our Nation by preserving the heritage of their ancestors and by contributing to the rich diversity that is our country's strength. Their dedicated efforts to honor their proud heritage have helped others gain a deeper understanding of the vibrant and ancient customs of the Native American community. We also express our gratitude to the American Indians and Alaska Natives who serve in our Nation's military and work to extend the blessings of liberty around the world.

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National Family Caregivers Month, 2007
A Proclamation By the President of the United States of America

Each year during National Family Caregivers Month, we celebrate all those who dedicate themselves to caring for others and recognize their efforts to comfort and improve the lives of their loved ones in need.

One of our Nation's defining values is compassion, and we must do our best to see that every citizen is treated with dignity and respect. Family caregivers demonstrate this compassion, often at great sacrifice, to assist with everyday activities for family members who are elderly, chronically ill, or disabled. This dedication contributes to a culture of caring and responsibility across our country.

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