Press Release
For Immediate Release
press.office@ssa.gov
Social Security Dedicates Robert M. Ball Federal Building
Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today dedicated the Robert M. Ball Federal Building at the agency's Woodlawn headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Ball's son, Jonathan Ball, and other members of the Ball family joined Commissioner Astrue in dedicating the building.
"This is a very exciting day for our family," said Jonathan Ball. "My father truly dedicated his life to the advancement of Social Security. It is a great satisfaction to have this building, where vital Social Security work takes place, be dedicated to him."
Robert Ball began his career working in a local Social Security field office in 1939. He held a number of key executive positions and, in 1962, President John F. Kennedy appointed Mr. Ball Commissioner of Social Security. He continued to serve as Commissioner under Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard M. Nixon until his retirement in 1973. He is Social Security's longest serving Commissioner.
Mr. Ball is widely considered the "Father of Medicare" and played a significant role in the establishment of Social Security disability benefits in the 1950s. After his retirement, he continued to write and speak about Social Security until his death in 2008.
To learn more about Mr. Ball's career at Social Security, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/history/bobball.html.