[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 88 (Thursday, June 27, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM PROTECTION ACT OF 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 25, 2002

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, today I stand before you to express my 
concerns on strengthening and preserving our nation's Social Security 
system.
  We are here today to discuss, H.R. 4070, The Social Security Programs 
Protection Act. However, I have grave concerns about what we are NOT 
discussing--namely, privatization, one of biggest threats facing the 
Social Security Program today.
  Last week, Democrats filed a discharge petition to demand a public 
debate on privatization. Democrats think the public has a right to know 
about the true effects of privatization. Under the Republican 
Privatization Plan, we would see cuts in guaranteed benefits, massive 
raids on the Social Security Trust Funds, and the threat that 
privatization poses to the ability of the system to pay benefits to the 
baby-boomer generation.
  Mr. Speaker, Congress has a responsibility to our next generation to 
ensure that Social Security will be there for them. Social Security is 
more than a program, it is a promise. The Republican Leadership is 
refusing to bring their privatization bills to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, we have missed our mission of strengthening Social 
Security. We have missed our opportunity to strike, a true course 
consistent with the great traditions in this country of meeting the 
challenges of each generation. We can only live up to our 
responsibilities by preserving and strengthening our Social Security 
system. American families work hard to pay into the system, and they 
should be able to rely on Social Security when they retire.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to live up to the responsibility 
that has been bestowed upon us and to strengthen and preserve our 
Social Security system.
  Thank you, I yield the remainder of my time.

                          ____________________