[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 11, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                THE OLDER AMERICAN'S FREEDOM TO WORK ACT

                                 ______


                              HON. JAY KIM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 1994

  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the discharge 
petition on H. Res. 402 that would allow a very important piece of 
legislation to be addressed on this floor. H.R. 300, The Older 
American's Freedom to Work Act, of which I am a cosponsor, would repeal 
the Social Security earnings penalty for senior citizens and allow them 
to take part in the economic growth of this Nation without fear of 
losing the benefits which are rightfully theirs.
  The older American's of this country are continuously being attacked 
by this Congress and the current administration. They have become 
targets for reducing the Federal deficit by increasingly taxing their 
Social Security benefits, proposing to tax their health care benefits, 
and even reducing Medicare benefits. On top of that, they are being 
deprived of the ability to work by placing an earnings penalty on any 
additional income they may generate as members of the workforce. I find 
this situation to be appalling and have strongly supported repealing 
these increased taxation measures. I support H.R. 300 because it will 
alleviate at the very least, another cross that the older American's of 
this Nation have to bear.
  The older American's in this country are the most experienced 
workers, yet are the most under utilized. Even when they are utilized, 
they run the risk of being penalized by the Social Security system for 
the contributions they make. It is my strong belief that those who are 
able and willing to work should not be deterred from doing so and that 
is why I support H.R. 300 and why I have signed the discharge petition 
that my esteemed colleague, Mr. Hastert, has begun seeking support for 
today.
  I urge my fellow colleagues to join me in signing on to the discharge 
petition to allow this necessary piece of legislation to be addressed 
so that all the older Americans', in all of our respected communities, 
will be allowed to work and contribute, if they so choose, to this 
great Nation without fear of reprisal.

                          ____________________