[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 12, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H1857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      LATINOS AND SOCIAL SECURITY

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, today I rise to voice my concerns regarding 
Social Security privatization and how it is going to affect hardworking 
Hispanics and Latino families and especially the women Latinas.
  About 46 percent of older Latinas depend entirely on Social Security 
in retirement. In fact, 60 percent of Latinas over the age of 65 would 
live in poverty if they did not receive Social Security.
  If President Bush privatizes Social Security, young Latinas in their 
20s and 30s will see their benefits cut by at least 30 percent.
  Latina moms rely on Social Security also if their husbands become 
injured or die. The work injury rate for Hispanics in the year 2000 was 
16 percent compared to 11 percent of the overall population. Therefore, 
Social Security disability benefits are particularly important for 
Latinas and their families.
  The President's plan will not help Latinos or our families. Let us 
start talking about real solutions, helping our families that work very 
hard day in and day out.

                          ____________________