Press Release
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For Immediate Release |
Contact: (202) 225-3965 |
| Crowley Celebrates 70th Anniversary of Social Security with Sunnyside Seniors |
| Queens, N.Y. — Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx) visited with seniors at the Sunnyside Community Services Senior Center yesterday to mark the 70th anniversary of Social Security and talk about his work in Congress on behalf of seniors. The first Social Security check was sent 70 years ago on January 31, 1940. “Social Security is one of the most effective Federal programs ever created – providing millions of seniors with a secure income throughout their golden years,” said Congressman Joseph Crowley. “Democrats spearheaded the creation of Social Security and, since its inception, we have been working to improve and strengthen it. We have modernized its services and fought off attempts by Republicans to privatize the program. From my seat on the Social Security Subcommittee, I will continue to be a strong advocate for Queens and Bronx seniors and the Social Security program.” The United States celebrated the 70th anniversary of the issuance of the first Social Security check this year, on January 31st, 2010. Social Security was created during the Great Depression to provide a guaranteed retirement income for seniors and widows with dependent children. It has lifted millions of seniors from poverty over the decades and continues to provide a guaranteed, steady, and stable stream of financial support to seniors in the USA. On January 31, 1940, Ida May Fuller of Ludlow, VT, received the first monthly retirement check—in the amount of $22.54. Fuller had worked for three years under the Social Security program, which had been established by legislation in 1935. Congressman Crowley is a member of the exclusive Committee on Ways and Means and member of the subcommittee on Social Security. ### |