EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

January 6, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1 

RECOGNIZING BERTHA LEWIS OF 

BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA 

HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. 

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bertha 

Lewis of Hernando County, Florida. Bertha 

has done something that all of us strive to do, 

but that very few of us will ever accomplish, 

celebrate her 102nd birthday. 

Bertha Lewis was born October 19, 1906 in 

Georgia. Following school in Cuthbert, GA, 

Bertha went to work as a seamstress. After 

marrying her sweetheart, Lovorge Lewis, the 

happy couple had one daughter. The proudest 

moments in Bertha’s life were getting married 

and having a child. 

Thinking back on her long life, Bertha said 

her fondest childhood memories are of going 

to church and Bible study. When asked what 

gives her the most pleasure now in life today, 

Bertha said she thanks God that she is alive. 

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in 

honoring Bertha Lewis for reaching her 102nd 

birthday. I hope we all have the good fortune 

to live as long as she has. 

f 

FIGHTING IDENTITY THEFT AND 

DEFENDING THE HOMELAND 

HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK OF ILLINOIS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 

Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, according to a 

2005 GAO study, employers reported the use 

of 1.4 million Social Security numbers that did 

not exist. Nearly 1.7 million numbers had been 

used by multiple individuals, sometimes as 

many as 500 times for the same Social Security number. In my district, the Waukegan police find that at least 20 fake Social Security 

cards are found by law enforcement every 

week. 

Now, upgrading the Social Security card 

should be common sense. It’s about seniors. 

It’s about identity theft. It’s about illegal immigration. And it’s about keeping Americans 

safe. 

When we look at today’s Social Security 

card, we find a 1930s design. It lacks a picture. It lacks a bar code. It lacks a magnetic 

strip. It poses almost no barrier to the thousands of counterfeiters that make false Social 

Security cards. 

Today, along with my colleague from Illinois 

PETER ROSKAM, I have introduced legislation 

to finally give Americans the choice between 

the old 1930s design Social Security card and 

the new secure Social Security card. This card 

offers enhanced protections across the board. 

It would replace that flimsy and easily 

counterfeitable Social Security card with a 

21st century identity document that gives seniors real protection. Our legislation and this 

design is based on the Government’s common 

access card. Already the U.S. Government 

has issued 10 million of these cards, and its 

protections, in our judgment, we believe, 

should be offered to people in the 21st century 

against Social Security card counterfeiters. 

We think this legislation is important to propose a significant barrier to those who would 

counterfeit Social Security cards, to help seniors in fighting identity theft, and to make sure 

that a person who has that number and this 

card is really who they say it is. 

We saw on September 11 that 18 of 19 hijackers had valid U.S. IDs during their crime of 

the century. I think it’s time to make sure that 

at least the Social Security card has the 21st 

century protections that we can offer to make 

sure that we protect seniors, to make sure that 

we protect all Americans, and to protect the 

Social Security system. That’s why we think 

that this legislation to create these secure Social Security cards is an idea whose time has 

come. 

f 

INTRODUCING THE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARY TAX REDUCTION ACT AND THE SENIOR CITIZENS’ TAX ELIMINATION ACT 

HON. RON PAUL OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 

Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, today I am 

pleased to introduce two pieces of legislation 

to reduce taxes on senior citizens. The first 

bill, the Social Security Beneficiary Tax Reduction Act, repeals the 1993 tax increase on 

Social Security benefits. Repealing this increase on Social Security benefits is a good 

first step toward reducing the burden imposed 

by the federal government on senior citizens. 

However, imposing any tax on Social Security 

benefits is unfair and illogical. This is why I am 

also introducing the Senior Citizens’ Tax Elimination Act, which repeals all taxes on Social 

Security benefits. 

Since Social Security benefits are financed 

with tax dollars, taxing these benefits is yet 

another example of double taxation. Furthermore, ‘‘taxing’’ benefits paid by the government is merely an accounting trick, a shell 

game which allows members of Congress to 

reduce benefits by subterfuge. This allows 

Congress to continue using the Social Security 

trust fund as a means of financing other government programs, and masks the true size of 

the federal deficit. 

Instead of imposing ridiculous taxes on senior citizens, Congress should ensure the integrity of the Social Security trust fund by ending 

the practice of using trust fund monies for 

other programs. This is why I am also introducing the Social Security Preservation Act, 

which ensures that all money in the Social Security trust fund is spent solely on Social Security. At a time when Congress’ inability to 

control spending continues to threaten the Social Security trust fund, the need for this legislation has never been greater. When the government taxes Americans to fund Social Security, it promises the American people that the 

money will be there for them when they retire. 

Congress has a moral obligation to keep that 

promise. 

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I urge my 

colleagues to help free senior citizens from 

oppressive taxation by supporting my Senior 

Citizens’ Tax Elimination Act and my Social 

Security Beneficiary Tax Reduction Act. I also 

urge my colleagues to ensure that moneys 

from the Social Security trust fund are used 

solely for Social Security benefits and not 

wasted on frivolous government programs. 

f 

JOE RINEHART 

HON. SAM GRAVES OF MISSOURI

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, it is with 

great pride and pleasure that I rise today to 

recognize the outstanding service and leadership of Joe Rinehart on the occasion of his retirement after more than 37 years of service to 

Chillicothe, Missouri, as Fire Chief, Disaster 

Director and head of Department of Emergency Services. 

Joe began his career as a firefighter in 

1972, and rose to Fire Chief in 1979. Fourteen 

mayors have served during his tenure, but he 

has consistently been there to oversee numerous personnel and to put the safety of the citizens of Chillicothe, Missouri, before himself. 

Chief Rinehart has also been instrumental in 

assisting in many projects over the years. During his years of service, he has modernized 

the fire department, overseen the move to its 

current location, helped form the Livingston 

County Ambulance District and provided the 

leadership to help pass the capital improvement sales tax. 

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join 

with me in commending Chief Joe Rinehart for 

his dedicated service to ensuring the safety of 

the people of Chillicothe, Missouri. I know 

Joe’s colleagues, family and friends join with 

me in thanking him for his commitment to others and wishing him happiness and good 

health in his retirement. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO DAVID S. BLIDEN 

HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER OF MARYLAND

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 

Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I 

rise before you today to honor David S. Bliden 

upon his retirement from the position of Executive Director of the Maryland Association of 

Counties (MACo). 


rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with REMARKS