Longtime Congressional Democrat From California Dies

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http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBKAJ8JH3E.html
Longtime Congressional Democrat From California Dies
Jan 2, 2005 BETHESDA, Md. (AP) - Democratic Rep. Bob Matsui of California, who spent time in an internment camp for Japanese-Americans as an infant during World War II and went on to serve 26 years in Congress, has died of complications from a rare disease, his family said Sunday. Matsui, 63, died Saturday night at the National Naval Medical Center in this Washington suburb.

Matsui juggled political and policy roles during more than a quarter-century in Congress. He was the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for the past two years, in charge of the unsuccessful effort to regain control of the House.

He also was the third-ranking Democrat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, where he was his party's point man on Social Security legislation.

In a statement announcing Matsui's death, his office disclosed that the congressman was diagnosed several months ago with Milo Dysplastic Disorder, a rare stem cell disorder that reduces the body's ability to produce red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Victims of the disease are left more susceptible to other illnesses, with less ability to fight them off. <SNIP>
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I LIKED IT WHEN Rep. Bob Matsui, D-Calif., for example, told The Associated Press that Social Security is not the crisis Bush makes it out to be. What Bush calls a crisis, Matsui, the top Democrat on the House Social Security subcommittee (CA -5th district), calls a "manageable problem."
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And today the Washington Post reports that GOP Senator Lugar on Fox News Sunday refused to denounce the Bush newly announced plan to keep some suspected terrorists imprisoned for a lifetime even if the government lacks evidence to charge them in courts - saying only that it was "bad idea".

FACTS RE SOCIAL SECURITY

• People collecting benefits this year: 47.4 million, or about one in six Americans.

• Eligible retired workers and dependents: 32.8 million.

• Eligible disabled workers and dependents: 7.8 million.

• Eligible survivors: 6.8 million.

• Total Social Security payout this year: $492 billion.

• Average monthly retiree benefit: $926.

• Date of first monthly benefit: Jan. 31, 1940.

• Size of cost-of-living adjustment next year: 2.7%, averaging about $25 a month.

• Size of first adjustment, in 1950: 77%.

• Older people receiving Social Security: 90% of those 65 and older.

• Workers in jobs covered by Social Security: 98%.

Sources: Social Security Administration, Associated Press

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