50 Years Ago
From the Herald and Democrat in 1964
(A portion of this story is written as it appeared in the Herald-Democrat in 1964)
Twenty-five years ago, on Aug. 10, 1938, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt took his pen in hand and signed into law a bill passed by the 76th Congress and entitled the Social Security Act Amendments of 1939. There was little fanfare or publicity concerning this event because few people realized that the amendments would ultimately affect the lives of nearly every American family.
Today, on the 25th Anniversary of that legislation, Sam Matthews, Fayetteville, Arkansas Social Security district manager, described the 1939 amendments as the "most significant social security changes ever enacted." He stated that the amendments laid the groundwork for the present social security law by providing for monthly benefits (beginning January 1940) not only for retired workers, but also for the dependents of retired workers and deceased workers.
"The 1939 amendments," said Mr. Matthews, "made social security a family program rather than one for retired workers alone. Since then the program has come a long way toward realizing the goal set for it in the 1939 and subsequent amendments -- that of providing basic protection against loss of earnings when the family breadwinner becomes disabled, dies or retires in old age."
According to Matthews, more than 19 million people were receiving monthly Social Security benefits and the total would reach 20 million early in 1965.
25 Years Ago
From the Herald-Democrat in 1989
Siloam Springs Mayor M.L. Van Poucke signed a proclamation designating Aug. 25 as Burton Elliott Day. On hand for the ceremony at City Hall was, School Board President Jim Robason, Hospital Board President LaVaun Thomas and Chamber of Commerce President Tony Barnes. A reception was held honoring Elliott for Chamber of Commerce members at Dawn Hill.
10 Years Ago
From the Herald-Leader in 2004
Chris Foreman, 15, competed in his first Taekwondo Championship at the 13th Central United States invitational Taekwondo Championships in Midwest City, Okla. Foreman placed first in fighting and second in forms in the 15-16-year-old, white/yellow belt division. Foreman was a student at Wiles Academy of Martial Arts in Siloam Springs.
Community on 08/20/2014