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instituted online commenting upon our proposed regulations (in advance of

the government-wide Office of Regulations). I also developed a gateway page
for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, providing links to

information about SSI. This work included putting the handbook
“Understanding SSI” online (the Spanish translation as well). I am very proud
of the work I did to provide digital information to the public throughout my
career as a webmaster. It was a constantly changing environment, and I liked

dealing with the changes.

I am Donald E. Champ and I served in the Social Security Administration

from 1960 until my retirement in 1986. I was hired during the administration
of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a moderate conservative, whom I
admired and respected. I was inspired by then candidate for President of the
United States of America, John F . Kennedy , who asked young people to “Ask

not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your
country .” That challenge resonated with me and I decided to enter the federal
service. During my early days, I was dealing directly with the citizens of our

country – taking and adjudicating claims for benefits both in a government
office and in people’s homes if they were physically unable to travel to an
office. I conducted investigations to ensure that employers were reporting
wages for their employees properly . I made educational contacts with

employers, doctors, hospitals and organizations to ensure all understood the
need for supporting the universal program to provide benefits to the American
people when they could no longer work due to advanced age or disability or to

the worker’s survivors upon their death. I also gave talks when changes were
made to the law or when new programs (e.g. Medicare) were enacted into law.

Often, I was giving talks about Social Security three to four nights per week in
addition to working 40 hours per week during daytime hours. These were

done without “overtime pay” as I was salaried but I didn’t mind as I was proud
to be serving the American people. Near the end of my career, I occupied

executive positions and continued to work more than a 40-hour week –
traveling on weekends on business, bringing memos and policy papers home to

read at night as I was “tied up” with meetings during the day. I did not mind
as my co-workers were as dedicated and doing the same.

I am Barbara Cuffie and I served in the Social Security Administration
(SSA) for almost 38 years before retiring in 2004. During my lengthy career,

I spent most of my time as the Principal Security Officer in the Office of

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