[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     THE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT ENHANCEMENTS FOR WOMEN ACT OF 2002

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                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the Chairman of 
the Social Security Subcommittee, Mr. Shaw, in introducing this bill 
aimed at making improvements in benefits for women under the current 
Social Security system.
  In order to maintain fiscal responsibility, we were limited in the 
number and scope of the improvements we were able to make. However, the 
disabled widows, divorced retirees, and widows whose husbands died 
shortly after retirement who are affected by these improvements will 
certainly benefit from these changes.
  Equally important as the benefit changes themselves, however, is what 
this bill symbolizes. It shows the importance of maintaining and 
preserving the defined-benefit Social Security system we have today. It 
shows how we are able to improve the fortunes of needy beneficiaries by 
building on the existing structure of the Social Security system. And 
it shows how the two parties are able to work together once they agree 
on the goal: to put aside Social Security privatization and instead 
improve Social Security's guaranteed, lifelong, secure benefits.
  I look forward to the swift adoption of these important benefit 
enhancements.

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