[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 135 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    A TRIBUTE TO HONOR THE PATCHOGUE, NY, SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE IN 
    RECOGNITION OF 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE LONG ISLAND COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 1996

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to the 
Social Security Office in Patchogue, NY, for 50 years of dedicated 
service to the Long Island community. It is with great sincerity that I 
ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in 
congratulating the Patchogue Social Security Office on this historical 
occasion.
  In 1946, the Social Security Administration [SSA] opened its first 
Long Island office at 75 Oak Street, Patchogue, Long Island, NY. Prior 
to this, Suffolk County residents had to visit the Queens, NY, office, 
located in Jamaica, to receive Social Security services. During the 
last 50 years, the Patchogue office has served hundreds of thousands of 
Social Security beneficiaries.
  Originally, Social Security was formulated as an entitlement program 
for retired workers and their surviving dependents. In the 1950's, the 
disability provisions were implemented. The 1960's saw the beginning of 
Medicare health insurance for the elderly, and in the 1970's, Medicare 
coverage was extended to the disabled. These changes also included 
implementation of the Supplemental Security Income [SSI] Program in 
1974. This program was established by Congress to federalize assistance 
to financially needy, elderly, blind, and disabled individuals and 
children.
  The Patchogue Social Security office has performed an exceptional 
duty in administering its programs to Suffolk County residents. Today, 
the office administers Social Security payments to 113,894 Suffolk 
residents each month for a total of $79,381,000. SSI payments are paid 
to 12,817 individuals each month for a total of $4,739,000.
  Stuart Blau, the District Manager, has served the people in his 
Patchogue District for 20 years, the last 10 as Manager. His 35 years 
with the Social Security Administration have encompassed the 
introduction of disability benefits, Medicare, and the Supplemental 
Security Income Program.
  He heads one of the largest field offices in the New York region and 
the Nation, servicing almost 1 million residents of Suffolk County. 
Along with a dedicated staff of Federal employees, he continues the 
tradition and dedication to public service begun in July 1946 when 
Patchogue was added to the growing roster of Social Security field 
offices across the country.
  The staff in the Patchogue office looks forward to continuing their 
tradition of dedication and service to Suffolk County residents for 
many years to come. I wish them all the best for another 50 years in 
service to the Long Island community.

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