FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Contact: (202) 225-9263
October 2, 1997
No. SS-12
Congressman Jim Bunning (R-KY), Chairman, Subcommittee on Social Security of the Committee on Ways and Means, today announced that the Subcommittee will hold the seventh in a series of hearings on "The Future of Social Security for this Generation and the Next." At this hearing, the Subcommittee will examine the current state of public opinion on the future of Social Security. The hearing will take place on Thursday, October 23, 1997, in room B-318 Rayburn House Office Building, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
In view of the limited time available to hear witnesses, oral testimony will be from invited witnesses only. However, any individual or organization may submit a written statement for consideration by the Committee and for inclusion in the printed record of the hearing.
BACKGROUND:
The Subcommittee's first six hearings in the series have focused on: the recom-mendations of the Advisory Council on Social Security; the fundamental issues to consider when evaluating reform options; the findings of the 1997 Social Security Board of Trustees; the experiences of other countries; and the views of policy experts, organizations with different generational perspectives, business and labor representatives, and Members of Congress on Social Security reform.
Social Security affects the lives of almost every American, yet public understanding of Social Security retirement, survivors, and disability programs is often limited due to complex application and eligibility requirements. Forecasts of future Social Security insolvency and suggested remedies are being discussed more and more in the media and at kitchen tables all across the country.
Increasingly, polls are being conducted to canvass the views of Americans. One example is an often cited 1994 survey which found that nearly twice as many young adults believe in UFOs than believe they will receive Social Security benefits. Beyond polling, a number of organizations, through forums and town meetings, are engaging the public in open debate about Social Security now and in the future.
In announcing the hearing, Chairman Bunning stated: "Engaging the American public is vital as we consider possible reforms to Social Security. Americans are well ahead of Washington when it comes to knowing what needs to be done. I look forward to hearing the views from the home-front on Social Security."
FOCUS OF THE HEARING:
The Subcommittee will receive the views of public forum facilitators and polling experts on what Americans are saying about the future of Social Security. Specifically, Members of the Subcommittee would like to hear from each witness regarding their findings on Americans': (1) understanding of today's Social Security programs, (2) understanding of Social Security's long-term financial insolvency, and (3) views on what changes are necessary to fix Social Security.
DETAILS FOR SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN COMMENTS:
Any person or organization wishing to submit a written statement for the printed record of the hearing should submit at least six (6) single-space legal-size copies of their statement, along with an IBM compatible 3.5-inch diskette in ASCII DOS Text or WordPerfect 5.1 format only, with their name, address, and hearing date noted on a label, by the close of business, Thursday, November 6, 1997, to A.L. Singleton, Chief of Staff, Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives, 1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. If those filing written statements wish to have their statements distributed to the press and interested public at the hearing, they may deliver 200 additional copies for this purpose to the Subcommittee on Social Security office, room B-316 Rayburn House Office Building, at least one hour before the hearing begins.
FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS:
Each statement presented for printing to the Committee by a witness, any written statement or exhibit submitted for the printed record or any written comments in response to a request for written comments must conform to the guidelines listed below. Any statement or exhibit not in compliance with these guidelines will not be printed, but will be maintained in the Committee files for review and use by the Committee.
1. All statements and any accompanying exhibits for printing must be typed in single space on legal-size paper and may not exceed a total of 10 pages including attachments. At the same time written statements are submitted to the Committee, witnesses are now requested to submit their statements on an IBM compatible 3.5-inch diskette in ASCII DOS Text or WordPerfect 5.1 format. Witnesses are advised that the Committee will rely on electronic submissions for printing the official hearing record.
2. Copies of whole documents submitted as exhibit material will not be accepted for printing. Instead, exhibit material should be referenced and quoted or paraphrased. All exhibit material not meeting these specifications will be maintained in the Committee files for review and use by the Committee.
3. A witness appearing at a public hearing, or submitting a statement for the record of a public hearing, or submitting written comments in response to a published request for comments by the Committee, must include on his statement or submission a list of all clients, persons, or organizations on whose behalf the witness appears.
4. A supplemental sheet must accompany each statement listing the name, full address, a telephone number where the witness or the designated representative may be reached and a topical outline or summary of the comments and recommendations in the full statement. This supplemental sheet will not be included in the printed record.
The above restrictions and limitations apply only to material being submitted for printing. Statements and exhibits or supplementary material submitted solely for distribution to the Members, the press and the public during the course of a public hearing may be submitted in other forms.
The
Committee seeks to make its facilities accessible to persons with
disabilities. If you are in need of special accommodations, please
call 202-225-1721 or 202-226-3411 TTD/TTY in advance of the event
(four business days notice is requested). Questions with regard to
special accommodation needs in general (including availability of
Committee materials in alternative formats) may be directed to the
Committee as noted above.