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The press releases posted here have been provided to NewsCenter by the one of the many progressive organizations we have selected to participate. If you would like more information about this press release, you should contact the organization directly. |
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| JANUARY
27, 1999 8:40 AM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: 2030 Center Adam Luna or Hans Riemer 822-6526 or 486-3020 (cell) |
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| Young Leader to Join President Clinton at White House; Historic Round-table About Social Security and Medicare Reform | ||||
| WASHINGTON
- January 27 - Hans
Riemer, Director of the 2030 Center, a public policy
organization for young adults, will join President
Clinton and Vice President Gore
at a round-table discussion about Social Security and Medicare reform.
“President Clinton is bringing generations together in this important dialogue,” said Hans Riemer. “Young people want Social Security to be there for them—the issue runs a lot deeper than their supposed belief in UFOs.” “We are heartened that the President has proposed a clear policy to save for the future, by committing the budget surplus to Social Security and Medicare. Strengthening the Trust Funds, and not draining them through privatized account plans or a tax cut, is the kind of long term thinking young adults want to see.” The full text of Riemer’s prepared remarks is attached. Media Availability Date: Wednesday, January 27 Time: 10:15 a.m. Where:The White House, East Room Riemer is available for comment about youth and economic issues, and Social Security. ### “Strengthening Social Security for Young Workers” Remarks by Hans Riemer on January 27, 1999 The White House Thank you Mr. President and Mr. Vice President. I am glad to be here today, to discuss the importance of acting now to strengthen Social Security and Medicare for future generations. My name is Hans Riemer and I am the director of the 2030 Center, a public policy organization for young adults. The name “2030” refers to people in their twenties and thirties—we address the economic future of today’s younger generations. Saving Social Security is vitally important to young adults. After all, nearly one third of all Social Security beneficiaries are not retired. They are survivors of a deceased parent or spouse, disabled workers, and the children in these families. They are young people like Tyra Brown, whom you have met, Mr. President. Tyra lost her mother at the age of 15, and relied on Social Security’s survivor’s benefits to make ends meet before going to college (and joining Americorps). Social Security’s importance as a solid safeguard for an uncertain future is growing. With the rapid growth of temporary, part-time, and small business jobs—these are the jobs of tomorrow—many young adults do not have the secure future that pensions and other benefits like health care can provide. In your State of the Union address, you said that Social Security benefits must be preserved for future generations. The 2030 Center shares your view that Social Security benefits should not be replaced with privatized accounts. We are heartened that you have a clear policy to save for the future, by committing the budget surplus to Social Security and Medicare. Strengthening the Trust Funds, and not draining them through privatized account plans or a tax cut, is the kind of long term thinking young adults want to see. Mr. President, young people know that Social Security is not supposed to be an entire retirement income. We also know that, for many, it is an entire income. That is why your proposal to strengthen Social Security’s rock-solid guarantee, and to build retirement savings above Social Security, not instead of Social Security, is right on target. The USA accounts that you have proposed are a visionary new policy for the next generation. This past year the 2030 Center set out to engage young people in this great debate about Social Security's future. We organized an alliance of national youth groups; we participated in Americans Discuss Social Security’s collegiate challenge; we spoke to community forums across the country; we also conducted a national poll, so that the generation could speak for itself. Through this work, it is clear to us that young people want Social Security to be there for them, and that this issue runs a lot deeper than their supposed belief in UFOs. Your solid agenda for the future of Social Security represents the kind of leadership that young people are looking for. Thank you. |
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