WHEREAS, August 14, 2025, marks the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act, signed into law in 1935, establishing one of the most enduring institutions in American history; and

WHEREAS, Social Security has become the foundation of economic security for generations of Maine people, helping individuals live better, more secure and enjoyable lives in retirement with dignity and independence in their later years; and

WHEREAS, over 369,000 residents in Maine currently receive Social Security benefits to help with basic needs such as housing, food, and health care; and

WHEREAS, Social Security lifts 102,000 Maine people 65 and older out of poverty annually; and

WHEREAS, Social Security is earned by workers over a lifetime of hard work through the contributions they made from their first paycheck to their last; and

WHEREAS, Social Security has stood the test of time – providing peace of mind to people across all walks of life, regardless of income, background, or political affiliation; and

WHEREAS, we recognize Maine’s history in the establishment of Social Security by serving as home to Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve as a cabinet secretary and a key architect of Social Security; and

WHEREAS, Social Security faces challenges that demand thoughtful solutions, as it remains the foundation of economic security for millions of Americans; and

WHEREAS, today, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting and strengthening Social Security for both current and future generations, and by doing so we honor the legacy of Secretary Perkins and her work to establish the program 90 years ago;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim August 14, 2025 as

Social Security Day

in Maine, and I encourage all citizens to reflect on its importance and to support efforts that ensure Social Security remains strong and sustainable for generations to come.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this twenty second day of July Two Thousand Twenty-Five