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WASHINGTON, D.C.  Tuesday, April 26, 2005.   Sixteen national religious organizations today released a joint statement of principles to guide Congress as it considers how to preserve and strengthen Social Security.

“Our religious communities speak with one voice on the importance of providing compassionate care for the elderly, widows, orphans, and persons with disabilities.  We believe it is the birthright of each person to live a life with dignity and with access to the basic necessities of life,” said Kay Bengston, Director of Domestic Policy of the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  “It is this deep moral concern for maintaining and building a compassionate society that brings us together in this joint statement.”

“The Social Security system has been a tremendous success, providing all participants with economic security when they need it most.  It has demonstrated the positive role that government can play in advancing the common good.  Future generations deserve nothing less,” said Kay Bengston.  “We need to strengthen the present system so that it will serve future generations.” 

The joint statement says future changes to the Social Security system should:

• continue to reflect the highest moral values of a compassionate society
• assure the fulfillment of basic human needs for all participants in times of need
• build upon the present structure, assuring equity, fairness, and progressivity
• balance revenues and expenditures over time and assure future generations will not be unfairly burdened by this generation’s debts
• promote private savings and employer-provided pensions – in addition to Social Security.

We believe the strength of our country is measured best by the compassion we show to one another in times of greatest need and vulnerability.  In the months ahead, we will continue to look at proposals to modify the Social Security system through the framework of our moral values and religious experience,” said Sammie Moshenberg, Director of Washington Operations, National Council of Jewish Women.  “We will engage with members of Congress and the public to help find the best way to strengthen and preserve the Social Security system so that future generations may continue to benefit, as we do now.”

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