May 14, 1968
Page 13140
THE CHALLENGE OF THE LATER YEARS
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, the month of May has been designated as Senior Citizens Month by President Johnson. In his proclamation the President calls upon the Federal, State, and local governments, in partnership with private and voluntary organizations, to join in common efforts to give further meaning to the continuing theme of this special month: "Meeting the Challenge of the Later Years."
In the May issue of Aging, a magazine published by the Administration on Aging of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, there are two short articles which demonstrate how one organization and how one outstanding senior citizen are "Meeting the Challenge of the Later Years."
The first article describes the efforts of the Smithsonian Associates, a private nonprofit organization, in making the educational resources of the Smithsonian Institution available to senior citizens. The Smithsonian Associates are to be commended for their outstanding work in bringing educational movies, lectures, and other enrichment programs to our senior citizens.
The second article tells the story of Charles Greeley Abbot, the nearly 96-year-old former Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution who retired in 1944. Dr. Abbot continues to work a 10-hour day at home and still comes to work once a week in his 11th floor office atop a tower in the original Smithsonian Institution Building.
His accomplishments in the field of astrophysics are internationally recognized. Dr. Abbot is honorary research associate of the Smithsonian Radiation Biology Laboratory, which he founded in 1929.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that these two articles be printed in the RECORD at this point as an example of the kind of programs for our senior citizens that were called for by President Johnson, and as a tribute to an outstanding senior citizen who has accepted the "Challenge of the Later Years."
There being no objection, the articles were ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
SMITHSONIAN PROGRAMS FOR OLDER PEOPLE -- HOW AN UNUSUAL ORGANIZATION IS PLANNING TO INCLUDE OLDER PEOPLE IN CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Smithsonian Associates was established as a private nonprofit membership organization in 1965 on the 200th anniversary of the birth of James Smithson, an English scientist who left his entire fortune to the U.S. Government to found the Smithsonian Institution.
To make available the resources of the Smithsonian's education and research activities, the Associates offers films, concerts, and lectures; conducts special guided tours, demonstrations, and field trips; and schedules classes taught by Smithsonian scientists and scholars on such subjects as American history, antiques, anthropology, fossils, and the physical evolution of the earth.
To help older and retired people who would not otherwise be able to participate in these classes, the Associates offers a few scholarships. Proceeds from the Associates' luncheon talks are being used to send speakers to institutions in the community, including homes for the aging. Last year the Associates provided a speaker to the Springdale Terrace housing project in Silver Spring, Md., and one to the Old Soldiers Home in Washington, D.C. In addition, transportation was provided from the Roosevelt Retirement Hotel for older people who wished to attend a film showing at the Smithsonian.
This year the Associates hopes to purchase a bus so that it may offer more opportunities for older people to attend its programs.
All of the Associates' activities are financed from contributions and membership fees and no Federal funds are involved. Much of the day-to-day work of the organization is performed by volunteers, one of whom is 80 years old this year.
Ninety-six years old on May 31, Charles Greeley Abbot, doctor of science and astrophysics, is a man distinguished for vastly more than nonagenarianism.
He still works with, for, and at the Smithsonian Institution, his sole employer for 73 years -- since 1895, after he took his Master of Science degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He still works a 10-hour day at home, although he "retired" in 1944 as Secretary of the Smithsonian, a post he took in 1928.
Once a week he comes downtown to work in Washington's most unusual office -- the 11th floor of a medieval tower topping a castle in the heart of the city -- serene amid teeming modern government buildings, lofty cranes, tunnel excavators, snarling motor traffic, and alongside a full-sized space vehicle.
He probably has put in more years in the executive branch of the Government than anyone in history, the U.S. Civil Service Commission says.
He sometimes works his secretary, Mrs. Lena Hill, who is "only" 78, until 9 p.m. and on Saturdays. (On Sundays Dr. Abbot goes to church; he preached a sermon on his 95th birthday.)
For nearly half a century he has been predicting local and global weather on his own theory which relates rainfalls to solar radiation. Fewer meteorologists than formerly scoff; there is the Abbot 1923-52 study proving such correlation, with projections. And Dr. Abbot is honorary research associate of the Smithsonian's Radiation Biology Laboratory, which he founded in 1929.
Possibly the best terse reaction to Abbot is that of a recent visitor. After learning of the doctor's great age, accomplishments, and activity. the newcomer peered at his tower in the Smithsonian castle and asked: "Are you sure he's not Merlin?"