WASHINGTON — Vice President Al Gore and bipartisan congressional
leaders will join AARP and the Concord Coalition for the second
national forum of "The Great Social Security Debate" series. The forum
will take place on July 1 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Rhodes on-the-Pawtuxet
in Cranston, R.I.
The series of forums are designed to bring the public into the
discussion over ways to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social
Security program. The focus of the Rhode Island forum will be
"Retirement in the 21st century."
WASHINGTON — Vice President Al Gore and bipartisan congressional
leaders will join AARP and the Concord Coalition for the second
national forum of "The Great Social Security Debate" series. The forum
will take place on July 1 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Rhodes on-the-Pawtuxet
in Cranston, R.I.
The series of forums are designed to bring the public into the
discussion over ways to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social
Security program. The focus of the Rhode Island forum will be
"Retirement in the 21st century."
The forum will explore how health, work, pension, savings and
Social Security will impact retirement in the future for different
generations and will feature a dialogue with Vice President Gore,
bipartisan congressional leaders and the participating audience.
The participating audience will represent members of Generation X, baby
boomers and older Americans. They will be independently selected by
ICR, an independent polling firm, to reflect the demographic makeup of
the southern New England area. This process follows the audience
selection method established at the first "Great Social Security
Debate" forum held in Kansas City, Mo., on April 7.
"AARP believes that it is crucial that all generations are
actively involved in these forums and in the overall public debate on
Social Security," AARP President Joe Perkins explained. "Many Americans
believe that Social Security is an issue for and about older citizens.
In fact, it is boomers and Gen X’ers who are most likely to be affected
by Social Security reform and AARP wants to make sure that their voices
are heard and that their prospects for a secure economic future are
ensured," he added.
"The Concord Coalition believes that Americans from all
generations have a stake in the outcome of the Social Security reform
debate," said Concord Executive Director Martha Phillips. "We know that
Social Security must be reformed, and are convinced that once citizens
are armed with the facts, the national discusson of solutions to Social
Security’s long-term problems will be productive and successful."
Under the theme of "The Great Social Security Debate," this
series of national forums are cosponsored by AARP and the Concord
Coalition in collaboration with Americans Discuss Social Security, a
project of the Pew Charitable Trusts.
AARP, celebrating 40 years of service to Americans of all ages,
is the nation’s leading organization for people age 50 and older. It
serves their needs and interests through information and education,
advocacy, and community services which are provided by a network of
local chapters and experienced volunteers throughout the country. The
organization also offers members a wide range of special benefits and
services, including Modern Maturity magazine and the monthly Bulletin.
The Concord Coalition is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization
dedicated to eliminating federal budget deficits and ensuring Social
Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are secure for all generations. The
Concord Coalition was founded in 1992 by the late former Senator Paul
Tsongas (D-Mass.), former Senator Warren Rudman (R-N.H.), and former
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Peter Peterson. Former Senator Sam Nunn
(D-Ga.) was named the new co-chair of the Concord Coalition in April
1997.
MEDIA ADVISORY: To apply for credentials, please fax name, media
affiliation, date of birth, social security number, phone number, and
fax number, on organization letterhead to 202-434-2588.
