The National Committee To Preserve Social Security And Medicare Celebrates 25 Years Of Advocacy

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 13 Jun 2008 - 4:00 PST

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The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, joined by hundreds of the nation's aging advocates, policy experts and Congressional staff, celebrated its 25th year today. The event was highlighted by comments from Lynda Johnson Robb, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and James Roosevelt, Jr., grandson of President Franklin Roosevelt and son of NCPSSM's founder James Roosevelt, Sr.

"My father believed as I do that Social Security was an essential part of maintaining the dignity of Americans throughout their lives. I'm pleased to say that, in spite of those who continue to misinform and advocate privatization (and they haven't gone away), the dedicated Social Security funding mechanism and the dedicated delivery system has been very successful in raising the vast majority of our elderly citizens out of poverty. I'd even suggest the National Committee is even more needed today than when it was created 25 years ago." ...James Roosevelt, Jr.

Lynda Johnson Robb accepted the National Committee's 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of her father, President Lyndon Johnson.

"Medicare, completing FDR's Social Security legislation, helps seniors weather the rigors of old age and was a jewel in the crown of the Great Society. Daddy knew that it was not perfect and would have to be carefully guarded and improved where necessary by coming generations. Medicare is not a monument to him. Although, I take great pleasure that his name is associated with it. It is a living monument to the spirit of the American people and I'm proud of that too."...Lynda Johnson Robb, daughter of President Lyndon Johnson

National Committee President, Barbara Kennelly, encouraged attendees from the nation's aging advocacy groups, policy analysts and Capitol Hill to continue to work to preserve America's most successful social insurance programs.

"Social Security and Medicare will always need advocates whose primary mission is to preserve and strengthen these two critical programs. They will always need someone to speak for the millions of seniors who rely on them today, as well as those who will need Social Security and Medicare for the foundation of a secure retirement tomorrow. The National Committee will proudly fill that role for another 25 years, and more."...Barbara B. Kennelly, President/CEO

The National Committee also announced the creation of its new National Committee Foundation. The 501c3 organization's mission will be to provide public education through sound policy analysis and media focused outreach on the future of the Social Security and Medicare programs. More information on the Foundation and is mission can be found here.

The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.

The National Committee