"Raising the retirement age would inflict further hardship among a group of workers who are likely to face health and economic problems in their 60s." –Doug Hart, President, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans
"Of all the lies and confusion that still surround the Affordable Care Act, perhaps the greatest is that it is bad for seniors." - Dave Meinell, President, Missouri Alliance for Retired Americans
"My father died when I was three. Because of Social Security (survivors) benefits, my Mom, my younger sister and I survived." – Diane Fleming, DC Alliance Member
"We fear that Congress will balance the budget on the backs of the 98 percent, which is working Montanans and retired Montanans. We simply cannot afford these devastating cuts to vital services such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid," –John Forkan, President, Montana Alliance for Retired Americans
"Along with national parks and Social Security, Medicare is one of the best ideas we Americans have ever devised." -Tim Cunningham, New Mexico Alliance Member
"Seniors have earned and deserve their Social Security checks, and they shouldn't have to go to Congress every 10 years and beg for the program to be renewed." –James Parent, Alliance for Retired Americans Regional Board Member
"Today's retirees paid Medicare and Social Security taxes in every paycheck we ever earned. Now that we are retired, these programs help us to be able to stay healthy and pay our bills. They are the promise we make to people who worked hard all their lives, and we need to keep that promise for today’s workers." –Tony Fransetta, President, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans
"Today's seniors want to lower the budget deficit. We do not want a large debt to be the legacy we leave to future generations, but we should not punish people who have paid Social Security taxes all their lives." –Jim Moore, President, North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans
"Social Security should remain what it has been for 77 years – a solid, reliable way that generations of workers have been able to retire with dignity, economic security, and peace of mind." –Barbara J. Easterling, President, Alliance for Retired Americans
"The fight for Social Security and Medicare is part of a larger fight for justice and fairness"—Barbara J. Easterling, President, Alliance for Retired Americans
"The health insurance reform helps not just seniors, but also middle-class families and young Americans, who are just starting to see the benefits. Don’t let Republicans take all that away." –Don Rowen, President Emeritus, Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans
"Honoring the promise of Social Security and Medicare should not be a partisan issue. Honoring the contributions that we make throughout our working years so that we may feed and clothe ourselves, keep a roof over our heads and those of our family, there is no reason for that to be a hotly contested partisan issue." –Edward Coyle, Executive Director, Alliance for Retired Americans
"We need to make sure that people who need Social Security to make ends meet will have it, and not fall victim to ill-informed and unnecessary cuts to these vital programs."
–Barbara J. Easterling, President, Alliance for Retired Americans
Pennsylvania Retirees Thank Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Bill George for his Years of Service
March 15, 2010
For Immediate Release
October 15th, 2010
Pennsylvania Retirees Thank Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Bill George for his Years of Service
PARA Congratulates him on his retirement and officially welcomes him to the ranks of the retired!
Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans President, Jean Friday, released the following statement regarding the retirement of Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President William George:
“On behalf of PARA, it is with both sadness and joy that I thank Bill George for his 20 years of dedicated service as Pennsylvania’s first and best known advocate for working people, and also wish him a long, happy and fulfilling retirement.”
“Bill’s impact on the lives of working Pennsylvanians cannot be measured. PARA members both young and old owe so much to Bill George. Over his long career in the union movement, Bill fought for reliable pensions, strong Social Security and Medicare, quality government services, and the bargaining rights that most of our members enjoyed during their careers which won them the benefits many still enjoy today. Through Bill’s adept leadership of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, he has advocated for union members in so many ways. He lobbied our representatives in Washington and Harrisburg for fair labor laws and supported organizing all over our commonwealth. He stood with workers at each and every contract negotiation and on the picket line during labor disputes. One thing that no union member misses about Bill is his passion for the issues that affect working families’ lives, and his ability to communicate and inspire that passion in others. When he gets going, there is nothing quite like a fiery Bill George oration! Finally, Bill made everyone around him better through his tireless example, his contagious passion, his high standards for accomplishment and his unflappable determination. From his excellent leadership partner, Secretary/Treasurer Rick Bloomingdale, to the many staff people who worked for him these past 20 years, to the countless union leaders he counseled and mentored, Bill’s contribution to the union movement in Pennsylvania will be felt throughout the AFL-CIO’s next 50 years and beyond.”
“While we are sorry to see Bill leave his position, my fellow PARA members and I know how wonderful it can be to have the time we want to spend with family and friends. However, I am sure that like myself and countless other active retirees in PARA, Bill will continue to find ways to do what he does best – fight for the rights of the middle class in our Country. On behalf of the PARA Board, we hope that he will devote some of his new-found and well-deserved free time to working with PARA to build a vibrant, dynamic and powerful movement of retirees in PA.”
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