Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid Pcelebrated at Senior Center ceremony

Although there were seven different speakers at last Friday’s unique birthday bash celebrating milestones for the Society Security, Medicare and Medicaid, the central message was loud and clear – the programs are vital to the shared dream of a safe and secure retirement.

From the time John A. Pernorio, president of the host Rhode Island Alliance of Retired Americans, delivered welcoming remarks inside the Johnston Senior Center until the huge red, white and blue birthday cake was cut, an attentive audience heard about the history and importance of the programs.

“When President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law in 1935, he had a simple vision – to keep older Americans out of the poorhouse after a lifetime of work,” Pernorio said.

The members of the state’s congressional delegation – U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and U.S. Reps. James Langevin and David Cicilline – had been scheduled to attend, but their plans with the arrival of the body of First Sgt. Peter Andrew McKenna, who was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month, at Quonset Point Air Station.

Each sent along a staff member, however, joining Pernorio and Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena.

“We are extremely fortunate that we have our entire congressional delegation that fully supports both programs and will insure that both programs will be funded and continue to be financially sound,” Polisena said. “Those programs are vital for all Americans – just like oxygen is critical for life, those programs are critical for life.”

Brenda Pacheco, who represented Reed’s office, said: “Sen. Jack Reed is a champion protecting Social Security and Medicare.”

Vivien Spencer of Whitehouse’s staff added: “Sen. Whitehouse will keep on fighting to make sure these cuts never happen.”

Nancy Beattie, who spoke on behalf of Langevin, said: “The congressman says people shouldn’t play politics with Social Security … all these benefits. We need to preserve and strengthen these programs for generations to come.”

Rita Murphy, on behalf of Cicilline, concluded: “It’s time for Congress to get serious about the challenges we face and work out a roadmap to ensure that we strengthen Society Security, Medicare and Medicaid for seniors today and generations to come. We will get there.”