Letter sent to President Richard Nixon by William Castleman

The Senior Citizen DEVOTED TO OBTAIN FOR THE AGED A MORE SECURE AND HAPPIER LIFE. Published by the American Federation of Senior Citizens 22 West Madison - Chicago, Ill. 60602 Tel. 274-0285 Subscription $1 a Year LPIU EM November 27, 1970 Hon. Richard M. Nixon President United States of America White House Washington, D. C. Esteemed President: We appeal to you as in 1969 to again give further consideration to the plight of our aged. The 5 percent increase in social security voted by the House of Congress last May is not even likely to meet this year's increase in the cost of living. The 1969 increase we sought and had your cooperation helped to restore a good part of the lost buying power of their benefits. However, it still left a small gap, an imbalance which should be given further consideration by the members of Congress and the Administration. The Senate Finance Committee did vote a 10 percent increase to become effective by January. We wrote all the members of Congress urging them to take another step toward further restoring lost purchasing power of our aged by passing a 10 percent increase. To amend the 1970 Social Security Act to automatically increase benefits when the Consumers Price Index shows an increase in the cost of living by 3 percent, without the need of an act of Congress. In the spirit of the Christmas and the New Year Season we will hope and pray that we may again enjoy your cooperation With our best wishes for continued good health. Sincerely, William Pastleman President, American Federation of Senior Citizens.