SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 92

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 23, 2022

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Senate Joint Resolution No. 92.

      This joint resolution designates June 23 of each year as “International Widows’ Day” and directs the Governor to annually issue a proclamation and call on public officials and the citizens of the State to observe the day with appropriate programs and activities.

      According to the United Nations, there are an estimated 260 million widows around the world, and nearly one in 10 live in extreme poverty.  In the United States, one million women become widowed each year.  Seventy percent of all married women will be widowed in their lifetime.  Widows are often unsupported by social services, programs, and policies, and many widows face ongoing financial and legal difficulties, mental and physical health issues, and health insurance coverage issues.  The median age of a widow in the United States is 59, according to the United States Census Bureau.