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Skriven 2005-03-21 23:33:06 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0503213) for Mon, 2005 Mar 21
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President Meets with Seniors at Recreation Center in Arizona
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 21, 2005

President Meets with Seniors at Recreation Center in Arizona
Morris K. Udall Recreation Center
Tucson, Arizona




10:51 A.M. MST

THE PRESIDENT: -- (in progress) -- now it's our turn to sacrifice for
future generations, and we are. This world is becoming more peaceful and
it's because we're free. And that's a lesson we've learned from previous
generations, that free societies are peaceful societies. You know, I have
this great faith in the capacity of freedom to make the world a better
place. So I just want to give you a quick foreign policy report, and tell
you that this world of ours is getting better as more people become free.

I'm also talking, of course, a lot about Social Security. I think this is a
generational issue, and it's a generational issue because your generation
has nothing to worry about in terms of getting the promise government has
made. There's just no doubt about it. I know there are some contradictory
statements being made, it's just not true. The promise government has made
to those who are retired or near retirement will be kept.

But because the math has changed, because there's a lot of baby boomers
like me are getting ready to retire, and we're living longer, and we're
getting bigger benefits than the previous generation, and there are fewer
workers, we need to worry about not this generation, but the next
generations.

And that's really what I'm here to tell people in Tucson, is that if you're
getting your check, you're fine. If you've got a grandkid, you'd better ask
the political people what they intend to do about making sure Social
Security, the safety net of Social Security, is available for them. And,
you know, I'm interested in all ideas. I think that this isn't a Republican
issue or a Democrat issue; this is a national issue that requires a
national dialogue.

So I want to thank you for giving me the chance to come back to the Udall
Center. The Mayor was telling me what a unique place it is, and he wasn't
exaggerating.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Yes, it's great.

THE PRESIDENT: It is great -- well, I hope so. (Applause.)

Are you playing a little cards over there? I've got a little time for some
cards. (Laughter.) Anyway, thanks for letting me come by. I'm looking
forward to meeting you all. Thank you. It's a beautiful city you've got
here.

END 10:53 A.M. MST

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