[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 31 (Thursday, March 19, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            PUBLIC SKEPTICAL ABOUT FUTURE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

  (Ms. SANCHEZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues 
the success of a forum that I hosted in my district on the future of 
Social Security. Social Security is a focus of intense public interest; 
and there is talk about long-range funding problems, means testing, and 
privatization.
  The public is skeptical about the future of Social Security. Opinion 
poll after opinion poll shows that fewer than 50 percent of Americans 
feel confident that Social Security will be able to meet its long-range 
commitments. We need to assure America's seniors and future generations 
of Americans that the retirement benefits they are entitled to will be 
there when they need them. Let us restore public faith in Social 
Security. Through listening to our constituents, we can learn what kind 
of changes are best to preserve Social Security and its worth for years 
to come.
  The President has pledged to hold public forums across the Nation on 
Social Security reform throughout this year. I encourage my colleagues 
to host similar forums in their districts. The time has come to give 
our constituents the information they need to make informed decisions 
about Social Security reform.

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