[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 75 (Monday, May 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1068]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE SAFE DEPOSIT BOX ACT OF 1999

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                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 24, 1999

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 1259, the Social 
Security and Medicare Safe Deposit Box Act of 1999. Saving and 
strengthening Social Security is one of the highest priorities for me. 
After people work hard their entire life they should feel confident 
that they will receive their Social Security benefits.
  The way I see it, we have to get Washington's hands out of Social 
Security once and for all. We need legislation that will permanently 
prevent Washington from raiding the Social Security surpluses for 
wasteful spending programs. The simple truth is that the Social 
Security Trust Fund will go into the red in 14 years unless we act now 
to strengthen it. Under H.R. 1259, Washington would never be able to 
touch Social Security dollars again, as 100 percent will be saved for 
Social Security.
  The Social Security and Medicare Safe Deposit Box Act of 1999 will 
help us guard against attempts to raid the Social Security surpluses 
for more government spending by toughening budget procedures. This 
legislation will change the way the budget is presented so Social 
Security funds cannot be used for other purposes, including how we 
measure our Federal surplus.
  Mr. Speaker, having paid into Social Security myself for over 40 
years, I will never support hasty reforms that threaten the financial 
futures of those who have committed a lifetime of earnings to the 
system. As a father and a grandfather, I strongly believe it is time we 
take action to ensure Social Security will be available for generations 
to come.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1259 and protect Social 
Security.

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