[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 2, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           H.J. RES. 32, SOCIAL SECURITY GUARANTEE INITIATIVE

  (Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, today the House will be 
considering H.J. Res. 32, the Social Security Guarantee Initiative. I 
recently introduced this resolution that expresses Congress' commitment 
to protecting Social Security benefits for all current and future 
retirees. This bipartisan resolution sends an important message that 
sets the stage for what will soon be an historic debate on how best to 
reform our Nation's Social Security System.
  I recently completed 21 town hall meetings during our congressional 
recess on a listening tour throughout Wisconsin's First Congressional 
District. At every stop a great number of people I represent expressed 
their grave concerns over any changes that would be made to the Social 
Security System. Quite frankly, many of them felt that Washington could 
not be trusted to fix their problem. We have to prove them wrong.
  This resolution sends a very clear signal to our constituents that 
any reforms made by Congress will not result in a loss of benefits or 
place any increased costs upon them. Mr. Speaker, it is critical that 
we make this bipartisan commitment before we move forward on any Social 
Security reform proposals so that current and soon-to-be retirees will 
not have their benefits cut.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this resolution.

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