[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 20, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H5739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SOCIAL SECURITY MUST BE PRESERVED

  (Ms. PINGREE of Maine asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, 75 years ago Frances Perkins, a 
wonderful woman who came from a long line of Maine farmers and 
craftsmen, addressed the Nation as the Secretary of Labor. In addition 
to being the first woman Cabinet member in our Nation's history, she 
was also the person President Roosevelt put in charge of creating the 
Social Security system. In her address, she talked about creating a 
system to ``provide safeguards against the misfortunes which cannot be 
wholly eliminated in this man-made world of ours.''
  Nearly 300,000 people in my State now receiving benefits are living 
proof that for 75 years Social Security has done just what Frances 
Perkins hoped for--assuring a decent standard of living in good times 
and in bad for seniors and for countless others.
  From disability insurance and survivors' benefits to providing a 
cushion during retirement, Social Security has allowed Americans to 
retain their independence and their dignity. It must be preserved.

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