National United Committee to Protect Pensions
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The NUCPP works to ensure pension funds of hardworking Americans remain solvent and beneficial to all members, retired and active.  NUCPP services are steadfast in the concerted effort to educate, inform and advocate for accountability, reform and restoration of multiemployer pension funds. NUCPP services exist to make a difference and develop new standards to safeguard Central States Pension Funds and all multiemployer pension funds.  NUCPP promotional services promote public awareness of the need to protect and reform pensions to ensure solvency for multiemployer defined pension fund participants.

07.05.24 NUCPP GOES TO WHITE HOUSE FIREWORKS

July 6, 2024                              FROM THE DESK OF DANA VARGO

Pension/Retirement Security Warriors,

Let me share my most impressive Fourth of July with you! As you may know from the "NUCPP AT WORK" we sent last week, several members of the NUCPP Board of Directors were invited to attend yesterday's fireworks display at the White House.  

NUCPP President Ken Stribling, my husband Don Vargo, and I were fortunate to attend the festivities. It was a blazing, humid 92-degree day in Washington, as is not uncommon. (For those of you who traveled to Washington to fight for our pensions, I'm sure you remember how hot it can be!)  

We walked from our hotel to the South Lawn entrance in a drizzle, making us hotter rather than cooling off.  We each had expectations of how the Event would look.  Personally, I was expecting a group of 50 or so important, distinguished-looking people sitting in rows of white chairs and maybe some fancy finger food. That's what you would expect at an Event on the South Lawn of the White House, right? Very formal and elegant.

It wasn't anything like that! Instead, there were thousands of people, some with blankets, to sit on the ground to watch the fireworks.  We noticed up on the hill, closer to the White House, some fancy-looking umbrellas and thought, 'Oh, that must be a private party,' but we walked up there to see.  Instead, there were many round tables, white chairs, tablecloths, and centerpieces.  However, instead of the typical guests we have seen at the White House on the few occasions we were there previously, there were mostly young, energetic families and military personnel.  Instead of fancy finger food, they had tents with popcorn, ice cream, lemonade, beer, and wine available to everyone just for the asking.  Everyone working was very friendly and helpful.  The entertainment was spectacular and kept everyone engaged all evening.  

Earlier in the evening, a BBQ was held for the military. We sat with a young couple from Texas.  He is in the Navy and works as a nuclear engineer on a U.S. submarine.  She is a High School teacher, and they have a 3-year-old daughter.  After telling us what they do for work, they asked how we got invited to the White House celebration.  We explained the grassroots movement to save the pensions and how President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021, 49 days after taking office, impacting the lives of 10.1 million Americans.  We also discussed that we are working to ensure that the necessary changes to Social Security do not fall on the backs of the middle class and that someday they could retire with Social Security and hopefully a pension.   She even asked how she could help! We told her the importance of making a difference. We also told her the best thing she can do now is vote in November and encourage others to vote.  

As the evening went on, President and Dr. Biden, Vice President Harris, and the First Gentleman came out on the stage and spoke to the crowd. Later that evening, as the fireworks began, The President, Vice President, and their families stood on the White House balcony to watch them. All of this was amazing!

Yet, amidst all the grandeur, what truly stood out was the guests' energy, patriotism, and positivity.  Most were young adults, likely in their 20s to 40s.  Admittedly, they were there as guests of the White House, but their enthusiasm was infectious. As the band played patriotic songs, they stood and sang along, their love for the President, Vice President, and Administration apparent. Their overwhelming and heartfelt support was a testament to the unity and hope that filled the air.  No one was dwelling on the past week's events; they all chanted 'Four More Years.'

As the evening drew to a close, we left the Event feeling positive, energized, and confident of what needs to happen in November.  As I watched the fireworks, the President, Vice President and their families, and the thousands of everyday people on the South Lawn, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unity and shared purpose. We were all there, enjoying the same spectacle, and all I could think was:

THIS IS THE HOUSE OF THE PEOPLE. 

May it continue to be, and may God Bless America!


Dana Vargo