Remarks in a discussion on strengthening social security in Tucson

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, March 28, 2005

And let me say one other thing. The more savings that we have available in our economy, the more money available for investment; the more money available for investment, the more our entrepreneurial spirit remains strong; and the stronger the entrepreneurial spirit, the more likely somebody is going to find a job. In other words, encouraging savings is good for our economy.

Listen, I want to thank our panelists. I want to thank you all for coming. I hope you found this to be as interesting a discussion as I did. I hope you all take away from here this--a couple of things. One, if you're a senior, you're going to get your check. Two, we've got a problem for younger Americans. Three, now is the time to solve the problem. The longer we wait, the more difficult it is going to be to solve the problem. And four, there are some interesting ideas that empower the individual, that make the system better for the individual American.

I'm going to keep talking about it. I know the Senator is going to keep talking about it. You talk about it. You talk about it to your friends and neighbors. This is an issue that the American people will--help decide the future on this issue. I'm absolutely convinced of it, because once the Members of Congress hear from the people that there is a serious problem, the next question from the people is going to be, "What are you going to do about it?" And the Members here--that are here and the "Senators that are here, we're ready to work with people to get it done.

I want to thank you for giving us a chance to come and discuss this issue. I want to thank the Chamber. God bless you all.

NOTE: The President spoke at 11:45 a.m. at the Tucson Convention Center. In his remarks, he referred to Mayor Bob Walkup of Tucson, AZ; Arizona Secretary of State Janice K. Brewer; Ken Bennett, president, Arizona State senate; James P. Weiers, speaker, Arizona State house of representatives; Steve Touche, chairman of the board, and John C. "Jack" Camper, president, Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce; Ken Kendrick, lead general partner, Arizona Diamondbacks; Robert and Mary Schindler, parents of Theresa Marie Schiavo, Florida hospice patient who was receiving nutrition and hydration by tube until it was withheld by court order on March 18; former Senator Bob Dole; and Robert C. Pozen, former member, President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security.