Committee on Ways and Means

For Immediate Release
Contact: Press Office 202-225-8933
March 4, 2002

Securing Retirement for Americans
Congressional Hearing Tomorrow to Focus on Pension Issues

 WASHINGTON- In the aftermath of Enron's collapse, American workers are asking important questions about how their retirement savings plans works and seeking assurances that their retirement benefits are secure.

This week the Subcommittee on Oversight will hold a hearing to explore the effectiveness and security of current retirement systems and contribution plans.  Both employers and employees will testify on how the current retirement rules work, and how they can be improved.

Chairman Amo Houghton (R-NY) said, “A retirement plan is an essential employee benefit.  This is not about Enron—it’s about retirement security for all working Americans.   Ours is a forward-looking, constructive approach to determine whether the pension system needs changes to better secure employee savings."

What: Subcommittee on Oversight Hearing
Focus: Examine Employee and Employer Views on Retirement Security
When: Tuesday, March 5 at 2:00 P.M.
Where: 1100 Longworth House Office Building
Witnesses:  
   
  Panel 1: James Klein, President, American Benefits Council
  Scott Macey, Senior Counsel, Aon Consulting, Somerset, NJ, on behalf of the ERISA Industry Committee
  Gene Little, Senior Vice President of Finance, Timken Company, Canton, OH
  Craig Hoffman, President, American Society of Pension Actuaries, Arlington, VA
   
  Panel 2: Richard Trumka, Secretary - Treasurer, American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations
  Dary Ebright, Special Tester, Portland General Electric Western Division, Enron,  Portland, OR, and Member, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 125,  Portland, OR
  Deborah Perrotta, former Senior Administrative Assistant, Enron, Houston, TX
  Cecil Ursprung, Chief Executive Officer, Reflexite Corporation, Avon, CT
  Delores "Dee" Thomas, Vice President, Ewing & Thomas, Inc., New Port Richey, FL
  Karen York, Accountant, Scot Forge Company, Spring Grove, IL

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