[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 144 (Thursday, October 21, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2162-E2163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       UNITED STATES JAYCEES RESOLVE SOCIAL SECURITY NEEDS REFORM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 21, 1999

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, the United States Jaycees, numbering 
115,000 individual members, recently adopted a resolution entitled, 
``Legislation to Ensure the Future Economic Solvency of the Social 
Security System.''
  The Jaycees, whose vision is to ``become the organization of choice 
for young people, providing direction and leadership to our communities 
and nation,'' conducted more than 75 Social Security town hall meetings 
across America, reporting that 79% of the surveyed participants think 
it needs radical or major reform. When asked if there should be 
implementation of a program that allows individuals to place their 
Social Security contributions from their current wages in their own 
personal retirement account and require(s) them to maintain that 
account for retirement only, 77% either strongly favored or favored 
that idea.
  This resolution's recommendations include reforming Social Security, 
the need for personal retirement accounts and for directing

[[Page E2163]]

part of the budget surplus to the solvency of Social Security. It was 
delivered to me by Penni Zelinkoff, president of the Colorado Jaycees 
and incoming vice president of the United States Junior Chamber of 
Commerce; and Tana Bewly, incoming president of the Colorado Jaycees. I 
believe the resolution is of vital interest to my constituents and the 
United States Congress. Therefore, I hereby submit for the Record, the 
full text of the United States Jaycees' recommendations for Social 
Security's continued solvency.

Resolution--Call for Legislation to Ensure the Future Economic Solvency 
                     of the Social Security System

       Whereas, the membership of The United States Junior Chamber 
     of Commerce, as well as most America is concerned about the 
     economic future of Social Security System; and
       Whereas, payroll deductions will have to be dramatically 
     increased or benefits significantly decreased unless Social 
     Security is reformed; and
       Whereas, we need to meet our Social Security promises to 
     existing and future retirees; and
       Whereas, the number of retirees will almost double by the 
     year 2030; and
       Whereas, The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce has 
     conducted surveys at seventy-five Social Security Town Hall 
     Meetings in forty different states; and
       Whereas, The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce has 
     testified before Congress to address these concerns; and
       Whereas, as a result of The United States Junior Chamber of 
     Commerce's Social Security Town Hall Report, an overwhelming 
     majority approved the establishment of individual retirement 
     accounts; and
       Whereas, The U.S. Congress has introduced legislation for 
     the establishment and maintenance of individual retirement 
     accounts; and
       Whereas, The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce has 
     invested considerable time and resources in the solvency of 
     the Social Security system; and
       Whereas, The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce sees 
     the need to get the average young American involved in the 
     interest of their government; and
       Whereas, The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce 
     should actively promote getting out the vote to secure these 
     aims.
       Now, therefore, be it resolved, That the United States 
     Junior Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors:
       Recognizes that Social Security is in need of immediate 
     revisions;
       Recognizes that the future of Social Security is a vital 
     concern for young people and future generations in the United 
     States;
       Recognizes the need for capitalization of the Social 
     Security system;
       Recognizes the need for personal retirement accounts;
       Recognizes that a percentage of budget surpluses should go 
     towards the solvency of Social Security;
       Recognizes a need for a national ``Get Out the Vote'' 
     campaign;
       Gives authority to the USJCC staff to pursue a course to 
     reform Social Security in local Junior Chamber communities 
     and at the national level and organize a ``Get Out the Vote'' 
     campaign.

  Mr. Speaker, as a proud former Jaycee, I thank the organization for 
its most thorough examination of the Social Security System and 
recommendations for its reform.

                          ____________________