[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 5117-5118]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             SUPPORTING THE SOCIAL SECURITY PROTECTION ACT

  (Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

[[Page 5118]]


  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 743, the Social Security Protection Act of 2003. This is a piece 
of legislation that strengthens Social Security for all those hard 
workers who have worked their entire lives paying their payroll taxes 
and protects those beneficiaries who rely on others to manage their 
affairs and their benefits. Our Nation's retirement system gives 
economic security to those hard workers, and they deserve a secure 
retirement system. Therefore, as Members of Congress, one of our first 
priorities must be to protect and ensure that Social Security benefits 
are there for our seniors.

                              {time}  1015

  Thankfully, this piece of legislation does just that. Many 
beneficiaries, it seems, are unable to manage their own affairs and 
depend on other representatives to take care of them for it. 
Unfortunately and sadly, there are others that are not so reputable and 
considerate in taking care of those affairs, and therefore, we are 
fortunate indeed to have H.R. 743, which will crack down on the 
wrongdoings and strengthen oversight and enhance penalties and 
collection for the benefits misuse.
  If we are going to ensure Social Security and the promises of Social 
Security to our seniors, we must enact this legislation for our future 
benefits for our seniors of this Nation.

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