[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 21 (Friday, February 17, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN CELEBRATION OF THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PENSION RIGHTS CENTER

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                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 16, 2006

  Mr. GEORGE MILLERof California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 
30th anniversary of the Pension Rights Center. Since its founding on 
February 17, 1976, the center has been a leading voice and champion for 
the retirement security of the American people. The center is the only 
organization in the United States solely dedicated to protecting and 
promoting the pension rights of American workers, retirees, and their 
families. Its founder, Karen Ferguson, has dedicated her career and 
much of her life to improving the retirement security of the American 
people.
  From the beginning of our private pension law, the Pension Rights 
Center has fought to ensure fair treatment for all workers, but 
especially for the most vulnerable members of our society--widows, 
divorced spouses, and dislocated workers. Every day for the past 30 
years, the Pension Rights Center has been the voice of the voiceless. 
The center was instrumental in the passage of the Retirement Equity Act 
of 1984 which improved pension protections for widows and divorcees, 
expanded pension coverage to younger workers and reduced pension 
vesting requirements for all workers. The center also played a key role 
in the development and passage of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 which 
expanded pension coverage requirements for all workers and improved 
benefits for low-income workers by limiting the integration of pension 
and Social Security benefits. Year after year, the center has led the 
way to highlight problems in the law and work with Congress and the 
executive branch on creative and thoughtful solutions that make our 
pension system fairer for all. From plan asset reversions to cash 
balance conversions, the Pension Rights Center has alerted the Nation 
to the retirement problems of the day and helped us find a fair way to 
protect the pension promises made to employees and retirees.
  In addition to its policy work, the center has helped tens of 
thousands of individuals with their pension problems. The center has 
worked with the Departments of Labor and Treasury, IRS, and the PBGC to 
improve their pension assistance functions. The center developed and 
coordinates a nationwide network of pension information and assistance 
services for older Americans, through the internet and telephone, a 
network of actuarial and legal volunteers, and the publication of 
resource materials. The U.S. Administration on Aging's Pensions 
Counseling and Information Program relies on the Pension Rights Center 
to provide technical assistance and training to its six regional 
pension counseling projects that provide free assistance to individuals 
in 17 States.
  With the baby-boom generation reaching retirement age and a growing 
number of companies terminating or freezing their pension plans, it is 
increasingly likely that coming generations will not have the 
retirement security that their parents enjoyed. That's why the center 
has spearheaded the Conversation on Coverage, bringing together a 
diverse and bipartisan range of experts--from business, unions, 
financial institutions, and retiree, women's and consumer 
organizations--to find common-ground approaches to improving pension 
coverage. The Conversation on Coverage's Working Groups currently are 
finalizing recommendations that hold the promise of expanding pensions 
and retirement savings for millions of Americans. I look forward to 
their final recommendations, and hope that the Conversation's work will 
help turn the tide of employers leaving the traditional pension system 
and encourage everyone to pull together for the sake of our long-term 
retirement security.
  For three decades, the center has been at the forefront of protecting 
retirement income security. Today, its work is more important than 
ever. We wish the Pension Rights Center, its founder Karen Ferguson, 
Karen Friedman, John Hotz, Kathy Reusing, Victoria Kanios, Nancy Hwa, 
Raelene LaPlante, Joellen Leavelle, Kathryn Jantz, Kyle Garrett, Ted 
Stein, Rebecca Carr and the rest of the dedicated staff a very happy 
30th anniversary. Their work shines, not just because of their wisdom 
and talent, but because of their strong conviction and dedication to 
promoting a secure retirement for every American.

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