HONOLULU, HAWAII – Retired Fire Chief Donald Chang, the President of the Honolulu Fire Department Retirees Association, announced today that the organization of more than 800 members is endorsing Governor Linda Lingle for Hawaii’s open U.S. Senate seat.
“Governor Lingle has always fought to protect and support our jobs, our pensions and most importantly our families. At every level of government where she has served – Maui Councilwoman to Mayor to Governor – she always kept her promises,” said the
organization’s president, retired Fire Chief Donald Chang. “Hawaii needs the experience and determination of Governor Lingle to serve us well in Washington, especially now when promises made to seniors and retirees are in jeopardy,” Chang added.
“I’m humbled and honored to be endorsed by the Honolulu Fire Department Retirees Association, a group of wonderful public servants I deeply respect. These individuals have dedicated their lives to public safety and it is now our turn to protect their
livelihood in retirement,” said Governor Lingle. “Our kupuna are among millions of Americans who have planned their retirements on pensions, Social Security and Medicare. Our federal government made these promises to them, and they are promises I intend
to ensure we keep.”
Gov. Lingle has addressed the protection of Social Security and Medicare for those Americans receiving or soon to be receiving the programs’ benefits, a key component of her campaign:
“Like my father, millions of retirees and seniors need this money and as a nation, we have to be willing to live up to those commitments,” said Gov. Lingle. “But this system demands
immediate action and reform: Sitting back and doing nothing is irresponsible and simply not an option. We need to act now to ensure Social Security and Medicare will remain solvent when today’s younger workforce reaches retirement age,” Gov. Lingle added.
The Honolulu Fire Department Retirees Association previously endorsed Governor Lingle in her gubernatorial campaign in 2002 and her re-election campaign in 2006.
Additional information on the Linda Lingle Senate campaign is available at www.Lingle2012.com.
Submitted by the Linda Lingle Senate Committee