ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS (VFW) PAC, LEND SUPPORT TO CAMPAIGN IN FINAL WEEK
Rock Island, IL.—Phil Hare, the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 17th District, today formally received endorsements from two major national organizations with strong membership in Illinois. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW PAC) and the Alliance for Retired Americans have endorsed Hare for Congress in the 17th District. The organizations welcomed Hare for back to back events in Moline today.
"I am deeply honored and so proud to receive the endorsement of the VFW and the ARA," said Hare. "For over 23 years, I've worked alongside Congressman Evans to support our Veterans, retirees and working families. These endorsements recognize those efforts and the fact that, in Congress, Veterans, retirees and workers issues will continue to top my agenda."
Hare's remarks, as prepared for deliver at today's events, follow:
ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS
"I'm so pleased and honored to stand here today with members of the Alliance for Retired Americans. This organization represents 3 million retirees, older Americans and community activists and has more than 200,000 members in Illinois. The Alliance for Retired Americans' agenda is one I share. We believe in good healthcare for retirees and the elderly, retirement security, and strong pro-worker policies.
"We must protect Social Security. My opponent and President Bush want to privatize it. I oppose privatization. It would take over $700 billion out of the trust fund and it would risk guaranteed benefits for those who need them. Andrea Zinga supports privatization but has refused to offer a real plan of any sort on how to make up the huge cut the program would suffer. People in this district rely on Social Security and I will never gamble their future on a privatization scheme. I support the notion of healthcare for all. I think healthcare is a right, not a privilege. No retiree and no American should ever have to choose between their health and their home. In Congress, I'll make healthcare affordability and access a top priority.
"And I will work to fix the Medicare Part D Disaster. That bill was written by and for the Pharmaceutical companies. I want a bill that's written by the Congress and that puts our seniors first. I want a bill that requires Medicare and the entire federal government to negotiate for lower-cost drugs, just like the VA does. The bill passed by the Republicans prohibits Medicare from negotiating for lower-cost drugs. That makes no sense. In Congress, I'll work to fix it.
"Ensuring secure retirement for America's workers also means we must push policies that support people with good jobs and benefits while they are in the workforce so their options are good when they leave it.
"To that end, I will work for policies like an increased minimum wage, living wages for our workers and the Patriot Corporations bill to reward good companies that stay here and hire workers in this district and this country, rather than going overseas.
"Again, I want to thank the Alliance for Retired Americans and all of you. Your support is an honor and it is a major boost to my campaign as we head into Election Day.
"And when I win, I will work with you on our common agenda to make sure America's working people and retirees are given the health and retirement security they deserve."
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF AMERICA (PAC)
"I am deeply honored and so proud to stand here today with these great Americans. They represent the best of our country and I am so pleased to be able to announced that I have formally received the endorsement of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of America (PAC) endorsement.
"As a veteran myself and as someone who has worked closely alongside Lane Evans to help fellow Veterans for over 23 years, this endorsement means the world to me. Not just because it will help my campaign, but because of the enormous personal honor it conveys.
"The VFW represents over 2.4 million American Veterans. I am humbled by their confidence in me, and I am determined to go to Washington and to continue to make their issues my issues.
"This district knows what it means to sacrifice. We've seen our best men and women injured or lost in battle. And I want to make sure that when our soldiers come home they and their families are taken care of, period.
"Regardless of what branch you served in, regardless of what kind of your deployment, when you come back, you should know you and your family won't have to worry about your health care.
"I'm saddened and angered by the cuts Veterans have suffered under President Bush and the Republican Congress. They cut Veterans by $1 billion and there's just no excuse for that. In Congress, restoring those critical funds for our Veterans will be my top priority. I will always honor our commitment to our Veterans.
"Again, I want to thank the VFW for this high honor. I will work every day to make you proud."
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