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Home > Press Room Archives > 2005 > Press Release
Press Release
RESPECT
YOUR ELDERS: OPPOSE SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM
Experts at LULAC
National Convention Predict Majority of Hispanic Seniors at Risk
July 1, 2005
Contact: Brenda Alvarez,
(202) 833-6130
Little Rock, Arkansas —
United States Treasurer, Ana Cabral, Lilian
Rodriguez-Lopez, President of Hispanic
Federation and David Kamin, Research Assistant
at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
participated at today’s debate, Social
Security Privatization: What Latinos Need to
Know, at the The League of United Latin
American Citizens (LULAC) National Convention.
“The concept of extended
families is supposed to connote love, sharing
and togetherness. Not poverty and dependency,”
said Hector Flores, president of LULAC. “Latino
families, in particular, have great respect for
elders. The thought of nearly 65 percent of
Latino seniors living their Golden Years
in poverty, without their due benefits, is
abhorrent.”
According to today’s
panelists, the plan to privatize Social Security
would be devastating to the Latino community
which depends more heavily on Social Security
retirement benefits than any other demographic
group.
“Our seniors have worked long
productive lives. More often than not -- hard
work, long hours and low pay,” added Flores.
“They have contributed to their Social Security
benefits with the expectation that The
American Way will provide for them in their
final years.”
The debate on the
privatization of Social Security is a heated
one, as reform reportedly would slash benefits
by 40 percent. Contrary to popular belief about
the fragility of Social Security, the existing
program has not missed a payment in 70 years.
First instituted during the
FDR post-depression era, Social Security was
designed to keep people out of poverty, thereby
ensuring a more solid, safe and productive
society. Roosevelt called the Act the
“cornerstone” of economic security. In his
message to Congress in 1934, he urged enactment
of Social Security, stating, “We are compelled
to employ the active interest of the Nation as a
whole through government in order to encourage a
greater security for each individual who
composes it.” Today, Social Security is not
just a retirement program but also a
disabilities program. Many consider it the
greatest social insurance program this country
has.
Earlier this year, LULAC and
the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement
(LCLAA) were joined by national and local
leaders in support of the "Latinos for a Secure
Retirement" coalition to save Social Security.
As part of that initiative, the coalition
produced the first of its kind Spanish-language
commercials in support of Social Security
protection.
According to LCLAA, Latinos
compared to other Americans are more likely to
be employed for most, if not all, of their lives
in low-wage jobs without private pension
benefits making them rely heavily on Social
Security for a safe and secure retirement.
The League of United Latin
American Citizens (LULAC) is the oldest and
largest Latino civil rights organization in the
United States. LULAC advances the economic
condition, educational attainment, political
influence, health, and civil rights of Hispanic
Americans through community-based programs
operating at more than 700 LULAC councils
nationwide
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