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Simona Combi
Public Relations Manager
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simona.combi@ncoa.org

Arlington, VA (May 25, 2022) — The following is a statement by Ramsey Alwin, President and CEO of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), in response to yesterday's mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

"Yesterday's mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, cut short the lives of children ready to celebrate the end of the school year. Now, instead of planning vacations and celebrating a life milestone, their families are planning funerals.

While our primary focus is on older adults, the National Council on Aging cares about the entire lifespan. Aging happens at every stage in life, where key life moments, like ending a school year, echo in our memories as we grow older. Living in fear while doing everyday things like going to school, shopping in Buffalo, New York, or attending church in Laguna Woods, California, is not just unacceptable. This fear robs us of our right to age well.

The pervasive and deep-rooted racism that led to older adults of color being the targets of many mass shootings in the past 10 years also hurts all of us. Our Equity Promise is at the center of our work, where we fight to dismantle the barriers for those living with low incomes, job and economic insecurity, higher incidence of chronic conditions, to name just a few. Barriers aren't our only fight. Ensuring we all can live with dignity and free from fear is, too.

NCOA stands in solidarity with the communities affected by the mass shootings that have taken the lives of many, including older adults. We fight for people’s right to age well. The right to age well means the right to live. That's not possible when you fear for your life or for the lives of your loved ones.

We add our voice and support of life by condemning the status quo that allows such tragedies to happen. Stand with us so we can be free from fear and can experience the life moments that matter."

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. We believe that how we age should not be determined by gender, color, sexuality, income, or zip code. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Follow us at @NCOAging.