Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41, Delegate Dave Albo (R-42) and AARP Virginia State Director Jim Dau about to cut the ribbon in front of AARP's new office. Photos contributed
On Wednesday, July 6, delegates Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) and Dave Albo (R-42) helped kick off the opening of the American Association of Retired Persons’s “Take a Stand” Campaign Headquarters in Springfield. The campaign is an effort to make Social Security, which provides vital income to more than 1.4 million Virginians, stronger for future generations.
“Take a Stand,” demands on behalf of all voters that presidential candidates take a stand on their plans to update Social Security. The campaign will spread its message through advertising, social media, grassroots outreach and publications. At the new campaign headquarters, AARP Virginia volunteers will be making calls to discuss with voters the need to update Social Security and encourage candidates to take a position on keeping this program solvent for future generations. Filler-Corn and Albo both participated in a ceremonial ribbon cutting in front of the office.
Filler-Corn and Albo, along with AARP Virginia’s State Director Jim Dau spoke at the event. Filler-Corn said that Social Security must be strengthened for the future, pointing out that one in six Virginians receive a monthly check from the program. “Every American deserves a secure, healthy and dignified retirement,” Filler-Corn said. “Social Security must be kept strong for seniors, people with disabilities, and future generations.”
Dau told the crowd gathered at the ribbon-cutting of the Take a Stand Springfield office that Virginia voters – key in the upcoming presidential election – want to hear the candidates talk more about Social Security on the campaign trail. “AARP Virginia and our more than million members here in the Commonwealth think doing nothing is not an option, and we’re here to do something about it,” he said.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law in 1935. The program will celebrate 81 years of existence this August. “Social Security is the most successful anti-poverty program in American History. We must do all we can to protect it,” said Filler-Corn.