SOCIAL SECURITY
INFORMATION CENTER
U.S. Department of the Treasury – 202-622-5850
www.StrengtheningSocialSecurity.gov
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
March 3 – May 1, 2005: 60
Stops In 60 Days Accomplishments
More Than 160 Events; Officials Hit 500 Radio
Interviews In All 50 States
"We launched the tour to engage Americans in a national
dialogue about the problems facing Social Security and the need to fix
it for future generations. Under the President's leadership, we have
raised awareness of the problems facing Social Security and have built
critical momentum for a permanent solution."
-- Treasury Secretary John W.
Snow
Overview:
Since March 3, Administration officials have traveled the country to
discuss the President’s vision to strengthen Social Security.
Administration officials – from the President and Vice President to
Assistant Secretaries and Assistants to the President – crisscrossed
the nation to participate in 166 stops in 40 states.
The first phase of the effort to preserve and strengthen Social
Security has been successful. Americans are now aware of the challenges
facing Social Security, and they consistently list Social Security as a
top concern that needs to be addressed. The Senate has heard that
concern and voted unanimously in favor of permanently fixing Social
Security.
There is still work to do. If fixing Social Security were easy, it
would be done already. The President will continue to discuss the need
for Social Security reform with the American people, and will continue
the discussion of options to ensure that Social Security is there for
our children and grandchildren.
The American people elect their leaders to solve problems, not to sweep
issues under the rug for future generations. We are now entering a
phase when there will be stepped up legislative activity and discussion
about actual solutions. We saw that in the hearings of the Senate
Finance Committee on Tuesday April 26, and we will see it in ongoing
efforts in Congress.
The President has led on Social Security reform, and he will continue
to educate on the issue and press for reform, because he believes our
children and grandchildren deserve the opportunity to save for
retirement and deserve a Social Security system that is strong and
sound.
60 Stops in 60 Days Accomplishments:
166: Number of stops Administration officials participated in on
the 60 Stops in 60 Days tour. [Note: All 60 Stops events took place
outside the beltway & were open press]
127: Number of cities visited by Administration officials on the
60 Stops in 60 Days tour.
40: Number of states visited by Administration officials on the
60 Stops in 60 Days tour.
31: Number of Administration officials who participated in the
60 Stops in 60 Days tour. 61: Number of town halls Administration
officials participated in with members of Congress.
30: Number of members of Congress who had an Administration
official travel to their district or state for a town hall meeting.
7.94 Million Total circulation of newspapers that placed opinion
columns by Administration officials during the tour.
More than 500: Number of radio interviews given by
Administration officials over the 60 Stops in 60 Days tour.
50: Number of states in which Administration officials gave
radio interviews on Social Security.
# # #