Social Security celebrates its 75th birthday today and Alliance activists and Americans nationwide continue celebratory parties and events.
The week of August 1st, Alliance members held several events in Arizona, Iowa, Ohio and South Carolina in advance of the birthday.
Last week, over 50 Alliance events took place in communities across the states, and festivities continue next week.
Social Security is a true American success story, one that has kept generations of seniors out of poverty, and allowed millions to retire with dignity and peace of mind. Because this landmark anniversary is tainted by the deficit commission's calls to cut Social Security benefits and raise the retirement age, Alliance activists are busier than ever staging events to celebrate and educate across the country. Check out very personal accounts from Alliance members about how Social Security has impacted their lives here.
Festivities in Cedar Rapids, Iowa recently helped spread the word that Social Security puts $7.2 billion into the Iowa economy by releases on Social Security matters coinciding with birthday celebrations. The Social Security Works for Iowa report adds, "Without Social Security, half (50.8) percent of Iowa women aged 65 or older would have incomes below the poverty line." U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) joined the celebration in Cedar Rapids and added his personal story about Social Security survivor benefits. The Congressman told attendees that without Social Security survivor benefits, he would not have made it through college. Other state reports here.
Yesterday, seniors in Omaha, Nebraska gathered to join the month-long, national commemoration of Social Security and the people it serves. ‘With more than 50 million people receiving Social Security benefits today, the program helps virtually every American family,” Donna M. McGrath, Secretary of the Nebraska Alliance said. “Beyond the candles and the cake, we have a more serious message – Social Security must be remain strong for current and future retirees.”
Members nationwide speak out on the issue. Here is Don Thacker from South Carolina:
Jo Price from Florida also shares her thoughts on Social Security:
Check out some news clips including interviews with Alliance members here:
Wisconsin
- 'Social Security celebrates 75 years' - Wisconsin Radio Network
Billy Feitlinger is Executive Director of the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans. “We feel very strongly, if it is not the greatest program that the federal government has done, it’s clearly one of the most successful programs. And we feel very strongly right now that it’s under attack. - Seniors celebrate the 75th anniversary of social security - WEAU Channel 13 Eau Claire
Social security provides benefits to more than one million Wisconsinites. Besides sharing a cake, speakers discussed the importance of social security and the adjustments needed to have it for future generations.
North Carolina
- Etheridge visits Louisburg Senior Center to celebrate Social Securit's 75th anniversary - The Franklin Times
With a 75-year-old as the guest of honor, the Louisburg Senior Center was the appropriate place for a birthday party.
Connecticut
- 75 years of Social Security celebrated (video) - The New Haven Register
NEW HAVEN — A 75th birthday party was held Wednesday for the nation’s Social Security Act, and guests, including U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, wished for many, many more.
California
- Senior Group Plans SF Social Security Rally - KPIX CBS Channel 5 San Francisco
... several organizations in San Francisco are warning against suggestions by some in Washington, D.C. to cut Social Security benefits or raise the retirement age in order to fix the federal government's deficit woes.
- 'A federal plan that works' - Toledo Blade letter from Sam Burnett
Social Security has been the lifeblood of people age 65 and older. Without monthly Social Security payments, nearly half of Americans over 65 would live in poverty.
Help us celebrate this successful government program, which is run by fine people who care about senior citizens.
- Alliance President Barbara Easterling's column on Huffington Post commemorates Social Security's 75th birthday.
I pretty much agree with the sentiments expressed in the videos. My only comment is that there are two sides to the social security story and the other side isn't much represented in this article.
My congratulations in any case!
Posted by: Joe the Janitor | 10/21/2010 at 07:02 PM