May 5, 2004
For Immediate Release
Contact: AoA Press Office (202) 401-4541

May is designated as Older Americans Month. In celebration of Older Americans Month this year, the Administration on Aging (AoA) introduced a national photography contest. The Older Americans Month 2004 Photography Contest was developed to enhance the image of older Americans through pictures. Senior centers from across the country submitted photographs—all taken by seniors, that reflect the 2004 Older American’s Month Theme - Aging Well, Living Well. In addition to the pictures, each photographer was asked to write a brief essay describing how their photograph embodies the Older Americans Month theme.

The winners of the 2004 Older Americans Month National Photography Contest are:

• Bob Churchwell (Age 70)
  Photo caption “Red Hat Honey’s Revving Up to Age
  Donelson Senior Center, Nashville, TN
  
  
• J.T. Barnett (Age 88)
  Photo caption: Blue Bonnets at Goliad State Park, Goliad, Texas
  Garden Senior Center, Corpus Christi, TX
  
  
• Phyllis Collier (Age 65)
  Photo caption: Aging Well, Living Well in Beautiful Colorado
  Silver Foxes Den Senior Center, Pagosa Springs, CO

AoA is pleased to have established this national program in partnership with Prudential Financial, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), the American Savings Education Council (ASEC), a program of EBRI, and the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC), a program of the National Council on Aging.

“We had an enthusiastic response to our contest--receiving 108 photographs from senior centers in 38 states, said Josefina G. Carbonell, Assistant Secretary for Aging. “The photographs submitted reflected the diversity and richness of our country and highlighted a variety of ways older people are aging and living well in America, she added.”

“This contest was a wonderful way to honor the many contributions older persons have made and continue to make to society. We are pleased to support an activity that acknowledges their contributions and makes such a strong, positive impact in their lives,” said Sanford Koeppel, Vice President, Prudential Retirement.

“Older Americans are among our greatest treasures. They make significant contributions to our society and are invaluable links to the past. We are pleased to support AoA’s efforts and this contest,” said Dallas Salisbury, CEO of EBRI and Chairman of ASEC.

“In a culture that sometimes places the aging aside, we are fortunate to partner with forward thinkers who appreciate the strength, wisdom, and embrace the contributions of older Americans,” said James Firman, President and CEO of the National Council on the Aging.

A ceremony to honor photography contest winners is being hosted by Senator Larry Craig on May 6, 2004. Prudential Financial, the American Savings Education Council, and the National Institute of Senior Centers are cosponsoring this event. This event is open to the public and the media.

The awards ceremony and reception will take place on:

WHEN: Thursday, May 6, 2004
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 628
1st Street and Constitution Avenue, NE
Washington, DC

All photographs submitted for the contest will be on display in a “virtual art gallery” on AoA’s Web site at www.aoa.gov. Winning photos will be on display in the Humphrey Building throughout Older Americans Month.

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The AoA is a Federal agency dedicated to policy development, planning and the delivery of supportive home and community-based services to older persons and their caregivers through the national aging network of state and local agencies on aging, tribal organizations, service providers and volunteers.