[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E211-E212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY TEAM ON WINNING: iOMe CHALLENGE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2010

  Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the student team 
at Western

[[Page E212]]

Michigan University on winning the national iOMe Challenge competition, 
which focused on solutions to make the U.S. retirement system solvent 
for future generations.
  WMU's proposal was the collaborative effort of four students from the 
University's Lee Honors College--Sam Demorest, Lauren Hearit, Ashley 
Horvat, and Brad Kent--with the guidance and encouragement of WMU 
Professor Susan Hoffmann. The proposal submitted by the WMU team was 
one of 41 entries submitted by schools in 17 states for the opportunity 
to travel to Washington and present their ideas before Members of 
Congress. The iOMe Challenge asked college students across the country 
to think, analyze, and propose a solution addressing the issue of 
retirement for future generations. The WMU team analyzed every 
potential aspect of what life in retirement could be four decades from 
now and collaboratively put together a proposal that directly meets the 
challenges that lie ahead. The Western Michigan University team's 
project was selected by an independent blue-ribbon panel who judged 
based on content, style, economic soundness, and accessibility to young 
Americans.
  Certainly there are a number of proposals for going about preserving 
the retirement system, and I have been deeply impressed by the 
recommendations of the team at Western Michigan. Their objective 
analysis of our current system and common retirement preparation 
practices, including each aspect's strengths and weaknesses, is sound 
and pragmatic. The adaptability within our current system allowed these 
students to provide cost cutting solutions that actually raised 
benefits for all Americans, while ensuring the system's long-term 
viability.
  With a steadily aging population, significant reforms will need to be 
made to ensure the retirement system remains viable not only for 
today's retirees but generations to follow. To simply continue to kick 
this issue further down the road will only compound the problem for 
future American retirees. That is why this issue deserves constant 
attention from all Americans, especially younger generations who will 
be most greatly impacted. I commend these four students at Western 
Michigan University for their leadership in taking up this difficult 
issue, in order to show that our nation's future leaders will not be 
ignored when we discuss possible solutions regarding our future 
retirement problems.
  Once again, congratulations to the team at Western Michigan 
University. You make your university, state, and nation very proud.

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