Grassley Announces Participants for Des Moines Meeting on Social Security


Iowa Senator Encourages Citizens to Join the Discussion on the Future of the Program


Scott Stanzel

202/224-6197


? As honorary co-chairman of the organization called Americans Discuss Social Security (ADSS), Sen. Chuck Grassley today announced public policy leaders who will be participating in the meeting he is co-hosting in Des Moines this Saturday, titled "Making Sense of Social Security."

Distinguished guests joining Grassley at "Making Sense of Social Security" include:

  • Brian Coyne, Chief of Staff to the Social Security Commissioner
  • Former Iowa Governor Robert Ray
  • Sen. Bob Kerrey of Nebraska, member of the National Entitlement Commission
  • Rep. Greg Ganske of Iowa's 4th District
  • Rep. Leonard Boswell of Iowa's 3rd District

"I look forward to having an open, and frank discussion with Iowans about the challenges facing the Social Security program," said Grassley. "It is important for people of all ages to engage in this debate about how to reform and save the program for future generations."

The public forum is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m., on Saturday, May 9, at the Polk County Convention Center. The discussion is sponsored by ADSS and funded with a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts. Grassley is an honorary co-chairman of ADSS, with Sen. Pat Moynihan of New York. The forum is free and open to the public. To register call the toll-free number, 888-560-2377.

This is the fourth meeting in a series since President Clinton conducted a meeting in Kansas City in April. Meetings have been held in Austin, Buffalo and Seattle.

Grassley serves as chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. He has conducted three hearings during the last year to study the long-term financial viability of Social Security.