For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005

Contact:

Michael Allen
(202) 225-2701

WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Representative Dan Boren issued the following statement Wednesday night following President Bush's State of the Union address:

“Tonight, the President spoke about many issues important to Oklahoma and to the 2nd District.”

“I’m very concerned about the Administration’s plan to privatize Social Security. Social Security is a promise to our seniors, a guarantee of dignity and independence – we should not put that promise to an unknown risk.”

“There are many seniors in my district that depend on Social Security as their sole source of income. It is important that we keep Social Security solvent and continue to ensure that the prospect of retirement is not met with the specter of poverty.”

“I was glad to hear the President mention tort reform in his speech. I look forward to Congress sending tort reform to the President for his signature to improve and safeguard our economy from frivolous lawsuits.”

“Additionally, I would like to see the President’s agenda include more proposals to revitalize the rural economy and curb the loss of manufacturing jobs to other countries. More emphasis should be placed on making our rural communities sustainable by improving economic opportunities for schools and hospitals, and strengthening local fire and police departments.”

“We heard a message of optimism from the President on Iraq and the war on terrorism. I join with him in commending our brave troops. The elections this weekend were an important step toward stability, but we have more work to do. We need to set benchmarks for training and reconstruction that will move Iraq toward stability and then the U.S. can step back and let democracy flourish.”

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