Some politicians claim that the only way to save Social Security is by privatization.  Taking money out of the Social Security Trust Fund and placing it into unstable private accounts is a risk our seniors simply cannot afford.  Privatization forces American citizens to cope with the risk of a bad investment, the risk that they will outlive their assets, or the risk of a stock market crash.  That is why we must pay back the $850 billion Republicans have raided from the Trust Fund, and Congress must begin to make the difficult choices necessary to pass fiscally responsible budgets each year.

My first action as a Member of Congress was to tell the politicians in Washington to keep their hands off the Social Security Trust Fund.  I did this by introducing the Social Security and Medicare Off-Budget Lockbox Act of 2001, which prohibited the Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund surpluses from being used in national budget surplus projections. 

As the U.S. Representative of Arkansas’ Fourth Congressional District, I remain committed to protecting Social Security and ensuring that the Social Security safety net created by President Roosevelt will continue to pay beneficiaries, in full, the security they have worked a lifetime to receive.

For more than 70 years, American families have been able to count on Social Security benefits that have never been a day late or a dollar short. This important program has kept millions of seniors out of poverty, and it has ensured that those who have worked their entire lives have something to count on when they retire. That is why I will fight to make sure future generations of American families can rely on Social Security.

“Willie Vaughn was a role model to countless young people who grew up in Parkdale, and this post office will stand for generations to come as a testament to his life and the impact he has made on so many people from our state and our nation,” Ross said.

Willie Vaughn was a church, civic, and community leader in Parkdale and became an influential member of the National CME Church, where he was known among bishops and other high ranking officials.  Vaughn’s influence expanded far beyond Parkdale as he lived his life as a farmer, husband, father, self-educated businessman, and local school bus driver.

“Willie Vaughn’s commitment and dedication to his church and to community service earned him the respect and admiration of not only his peers, but the entire community of Parkdale and the state of Arkansas,” Ross said.

Vaughn was a role model to U.S. Rep. Danny Davis who was born and raised in Parkdale. Davis, today a U.S. Congressman in Illinois, spoke at the dedication on his relationship to Vaughn growing up in the small Southeast Arkansas town in the Mississippi Delta.

The newly dedicated Willie Vaughn Post Office is located at 208 South Main Street in Parkdale, Arkansas.

Throughout Ross’s six-week summer internship program, Stuart and Griffin attended committee hearings and legislative briefings, assisted members of the congressional staff on various projects, and gave numerous Arkansans tours of the United States Capitol.  Ross’s internship program provides young and upcoming leaders the opportunity to understand the inner-workings of the federal government first hand.   

“My internship program in Washington, D.C. is designed to expose students to our federal government and the legislative process, experiences that simply cannot be learned in a classroom,” said Ross.  “Congressional internships provide a unique setting for student leaders to not only understand the importance of public service, but also to work on behalf of the people of Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District.  I am proud of Emanuel and Ben for all of their hard work this summer and I wish them each success in their future endeavors.” 

Manuel Stuart is a senior at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he is pursuing Bachelor of Arts degrees in Computer Science and Spanish with a minor in Information Systems. Stuart is a member of Sigma Delta Pi and Latinos Unidos on campus. Stuart is the son of Manuel Sr. of Springhill and Trenace Stuart of Hope.  After graduation in May of 2007, Stuart plans to work in the Information Technology field with the hope of returning to Washington, D.C.

Ben Griffin is a junior at Southern Arkansas University, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with a minor in Psychology.  He is the son of John and Betsy Griffin of Lewisville.  After graduation in May of 2008, Ben plans to pursue a Law Degree at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Stuart and Griffin were chosen to participate in Ross’s summer internship program through a selection process where they competed with other young people from across the district.  More information on Congressman Ross’s internship program is available at www.house.gov/ross or by calling (800) 223-2220.