Edwin E. Witte/Debate Guide

Was Witte "The Father of Social Security"

Witte has long been credited as the "Father of Social Security," but Witte himself denied this claim. He believed that he deserved "this title less than many others." Witte pointed out that the Social Security Act was a collaborative undertaking.

Social Security, like most other major social advances, has been the product of the endeavors and work of many people over a long period of time. The contributions made by any one person have been so commingled with those of many others that the end-product cannot be attributed to any individual or group of individuals.