11.04.24 #28 NUCPP AT WORK-RITA LEWIS RECEIVES PRESIDENTIAL AWARD
November 4, 2024
Pension Warriors
As we close out this crucial election season, members of the NUCPP were excited to be in attendance in Philadelphia on Friday when RITA LEWIS WAS PRESENTED WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL CITIZENS AWARD BY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.
As we close out this hectic season, we are constantly reminded of those who fought so hard to protect our pensions, those who passed away during our long journey, including Butch Lewis, and those elected officials who fought alongside us to preserve the benefits we were promised.
As we attended the exciting event in Philadelphia, we were honored to shake the hand of President Joe Biden and to be able to thank him personally on behalf of all of us. The most incredible honor came when Rita was called on stage to receive this humbling but well-deserved award. Not only did Rita carry on the fight in place of her husband, Butch, but she continued the fight on behalf of all of us, whether you were able to travel to Washington or not, whether she knew you or not. But as we have recently witnessed, while most retirees understand the magnitude of what she and the Pension Warriors accomplished, as well as the importance of those elected leaders that supported saving our pensions, such as President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Sherrod Brown and the majority of the democrats, (because unfortunately not a single republican voted to save our pensions) many pension beneficiaries including retired and active workers, do not understand or appreciate the importance of our pensions being saved. For those retirees from the Central States Pension Fund, our pension checks would be $100 or less starting January 1, 2025, in addition to the decrease we would have already taken.
We know that most of you have already cast your vote or at least know who they will vote for tomorrow, but it goes without saying that regardless of whether you chose to support those who had your back during the pension fight, we should be forever grateful to those officials and all of the Pension Warriors like Rita Lewis who fought over seven years to protect what you were promised and worked hard for. Many things, including social security and Medicare, are now on the line.
We thank you for your continued support of the NUCPP and God Bless America!
Take care and stay safe!
NUCPP Board of Directors
Dana M. Vargo
Director of Communications