[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 23, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H7224-H7225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RETIREES HAVE EARNED THEIR PENSIONS

  (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, this week marks a heroic milestone for 
millions of America's retirees as the House

[[Page H7225]]

finally considers the Butch Lewis Act. This bill moves America one step 
closer to restoring its broken pension promises to 1,300,000 pensioners 
across our Nation.
  Today I met with another 50 retirees from trucking firms, candy 
manufacturers, miners, and others in Ohio whose futures are at risk in 
their golden years. Their top concern is economic security.
  I heard the stresses they have endured since receiving letters 
threatening pension cuts of up to 70 percent of their earned pensions. 
Worry between family members, increased suicides amongst pensioner 
friends, anxiety and growing health concerns. This isn't the retirement 
hardworking Americans earned.
  Valorie Shapler, a retired Roadway Express truck driver, is suffering 
from brain cancer. She is fighting for her life daily, and why should 
she have to worry about the pension cuts that she earned?
  Vicki Bailey, a widow of a trucker, raised their family but already 
struggles to survive on her spousal benefits that were cut in half with 
her husband's passing, and she has her own health issues to worry 
about.
  Jim Baumgartner asked for a prayer.
  How can Congress ignore the pleas of millions of hardworking 
Americans?
  Pensions have afforded millions of retired middle-class people some 
economic security in their retirement years. Please let our colleagues 
join us in broad bipartisan passage of the Butch Lewis Act tomorrow.

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