As he signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 10-16 as Assisted Living Week, Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings said Tuesday that assisted living should be celebrated more than just one week a year.
“Generally, when we have a proclamation like this we assign a day or a week for it, but this is something that’s every day,” Hastings told residents as Bell Gardens Place in Hillsboro. “Just a little bit ago we signed a proclamation for Constitution Week, and just like we honor the Constitution every day, we honor assisted living every day.”
The proclamation the mayor presented to the facility read, in part, “Residents of assisted living communities are active members of the larger community, offering their wisdom, life experiences and skills; their past contributions continue to be a vital part of Hillsboro’s rich history; and their future contributions and participation deepens the community life and activity.
“Assisted living is a critical long-term care service for the elderly and individuals with disabilities that fosters choice, dignity and independence; assisted living communities are committed to excellence, innovation and the advancement of person-centered care.”
The theme for National Assisted Living Week in 2017 is Family is Forever. According to the proclamation, the theme was inspired by a quote from renowned poet Maya Angelou that said: “Family isn’t always blood, it’s the people in your life who want you in there’s; the ones who accept you for who you are, the ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.”
Earlier Tuesday, Hastings signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week in the city of Hillsboro.
The proclamation said 2017 marks the 238th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States and that Public Law 915 guarantees the issuing each year by the president of the United States a proclamation declaring Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week.
“If there ever was an appropriate year for Constitution Week, this is it,” Hastings told Jane Stowers and Judy Hornsby, representing the local Waw-wil-a-way DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Chapter at the proclamation signing. “I would say that since kids spend so much time on social media these days, to please take some time this week and actually read the Constitution of the United States and talk about it with their friends.”
Stowers and Hornsby said they plan to deliver summarized copies of the U.S. Constitution to all the high schools in Highland County this week. They said the handouts will also include a copy of “The American’s Creed,” and asked if it could be published for local residents to consider.
Written by William Tyler Page in 1917 and accepted by United States House of Representatives on April 3, 1918, the creed reads: “I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
“I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.”
“More true words were never spoken,” Hastings said.
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or [email protected].
