[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H1470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF LUIGI ``GENO'' AURIEMMA

  (Mr. Larson of Connecticut was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, first and 
foremost, to talk about the incredible achievement of Geno Auriemma and 
the University of Connecticut's women's basketball team, the winningest 
program in the Nation's history.
  They performed remarkably well throughout the tournament, and it is 
just a great honor and a tribute for the entire Connecticut delegation 
to recognize this outstanding achievement.
  Typical of Geno Auriemma, what he did before he accepted the award or 
said anything, he congratulated South Carolina and their coach and 
their achievements and the incredible season that they had, as well.
  It is nice in athletics and sports to still see the class rings and 
the recognition of contributions of student athletes. Watching the NCAA 
tournament and watching both men's and women's collegiate athletes 
compete, it reminds us of just how great of a nation we live in.
  In this great Nation, I am equally proud to recognize the number one 
program of all time is that of the University of Connecticut, led by 
Coach Geno Auriemma.


                            Social Security

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I also rise to discuss Social 
Security today, the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the 
elderly and the number one antipoverty program for children, as well.
  Mr. Speaker, it is dismaying to see the President's proposal and Elon 
Musk's proposal to cut Social Security. Let's be clear about it. That 
is exactly what this administration is doing when they are taking SSA 
and diminishing its field forces and closing regional offices.
  In the Speaker's district, there are over 160,000 recipients who 
receive Social Security benefits. What most Members don't realize is 
that also means $291 million that comes into the Speaker's district 
every month.
  Mr. Speaker, that hasn't been changed since 1971. Have a few things 
changed since 1971? It is long overdue that Congress not only protects 
Social Security, the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the 
elderly and children but expands it because it hasn't been expanded 
since 1971. That is shameful and long overdue.
  Instead, Elon Musk is going about and talking about how he is going 
to cut programs and singling out Social Security, Medicare, and 
national defense. Yet, the only thing he is really talking about is 
Social Security.
  Mr. Speaker, that is because, of those three programs, Social 
Security is the only one that has $2.7 trillion in its trust fund. That 
is the people's money. That is what every single American has put into 
that program.
  Mr. Speaker, it is not an entitlement. It is an earned benefit. The 
actions of Elon Musk and the President and, until this body speaks out 
and up, the actions of the Republican-controlled House and Senate is to 
go along with what Elon Musk and President Trump are providing.
  That means a direct cut to the Speaker's district and all of the 
other 434 districts and all of the individuals who rely on Social 
Security. It is a shame that, in the wealthiest Nation in the world, 
over 5 million of our fellow Americans who paid into the insurance 
program get below-poverty-level checks from the wealthiest government 
and the wealthiest Nation in the world simply because Congress hasn't 
acted.
  It is equally shameful that not since 1971 have any of these programs 
been enhanced. Even last December, when teachers and firefighters and 
police officers were finally included, it was not paid for. Step up, 
pay for, and fund Social Security.

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