Celebrating 75 Years of Social Security; August 19th Events in Manhattan

NEW YORK, NY (08/13/2010)(readMedia)-- August 2010 marks the 75th birthday of the Social Security Program. Today, Social Security provides benefits to some 53 million Americans (nearly 1 in 4 households) – retired persons, persons with disabilities, surviving children and spouses of deceased wage earners - and to more than 3 million New Yorkers (just over 16% of the state's population). Without Social Security nearly half of Americans 65 and over would live in poverty.

In honor of this historic milestone Governor David Paterson has proclaimed August 'Social Security Diamond Anniversary Month' in New York State. To celebrate, the Social Security Diamond Anniversary Committee, whose members include the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), the Business and Labor Coalition of New York (BALCONY), AARP, the NYS Alliance for Retired Americans (NYSARA), Social Security Works, Local 237/IBT/Retiree Division, Services Now for Adult Persons (SNAP), the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), and the Institute for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, Inc. (IPR/HE), is convening a series of events and celebrations around New York State throughout the month of August.

On Thursday, August 19th, the Diamond Anniversary Committee is holding two Social Security birthday celebration events in New York City. We expect a large turnout at both events. The programs will include brief speeches by beneficiaries, experts, relatives of the Roosevelt family, and elected officials, as well as entertainment, refreshments, and testimonials

Additionally, two groups, Social Security Works and Strengthen Social Security, will be releasing a new joint report, "Social Security Works for New York." The data presented in this impressive report speaks volumes about the importance of Social Security to families, communities and state and local economies as well as the future viability of the program. Nancy True, Director of the Retiree Division of Local 237, IBT, and Suleika Cabrera-Drinane, President and CEO of the Institute for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, Inc. (IPR/HE) will introduce the findings of the report and discuss their significance at both the morning and afternoon events.

Both events are open to the public and admission to both events is free.

The events in New York City will be part of close to 100 events taking place all over the country in the month of August to celebrate the birthday of Social Security.

WHAT: Morning Celebration of 75 Years of Social Security

WHO: Speakers and performers include:

Michael J. Burgess, Director, New York State Office for the Aging; Congressman Charles Rangel; Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV; City Council Member Melissa Mark Viverito; David B. Roosevelt; Eric Kingson, Director, Social Security Works; Dabney Montgomery, recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor and a former Tuskegee Airman; the Poet Tato Laviera, and many more!

WHEN: Thursday, August 19th, 2010

10:00 A.M. - NOON

WHERE: Taino Towers Gymnasium

240 East 123rd Street (at 2nd Avenue)

WHAT: Afternoon Celebration of 75 Years of Social Security

WHO: Speakers and performers include:

Michael J. Burgess, Director, New York State Office for the Aging; Andy Pallotta, NYSUT Executive Vice President; David B. Roosevelt; Eric Kingson, Director, Social Security Works; Dennis Hughes, President NYS AFL-CIO; Bill Henning, Vice President, CWA Local 1180, and many more!

WHEN: August 19th, 2010

1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.

WHERE: Hunter College Kaye Playhouse

695 Park Avenue (at 68th Street)

For more information or to register press for the morning event contact:

Nancy B. True, Director - Retiree Division Local 237, IBT

(212) 807-0555- ntrue@local237.org

or

Suleika Cabrera Drinane, President & CEO, Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, Inc.

(212) 677-4181 - suleika@iprhe.org

For more information or to register press for the afternoon event contact:

Nicholas Kapustinsky, Research and Communications Director, BALCONY

(212) 219-7777 - nicholas@balconynewyork.com