[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 16, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     STRENGTHENING SOCIAL SECURITY

  (Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I salute President Bush's 
leadership on the need to strengthen Social Security with personal 
retirement accounts. I am hearing a lot of haranguing on the other 
side, most of it untrue. This debate begins and ends with our pledge 
that nothing will change for people 55 and older.
  This current debate must focus on the future of younger Americans. 
Social Security was created for a much different America. Created in 
1935, current taxes more than covered current opinions. The average 
working male lived to age 60, when people retired at age 65. When 
Social Security started, 42 people supported one retiree. Now 3.3 
workers support one retiree, and it is on a downward trend too.
  We have got to do better for our children and our grandchildren. We 
must strengthen Social Security for our children and for America's 
future.

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