Davis man's letter earns him trip to D.C.

Last month, Wright Noel of West Point wrote a letter to the editor that was published in three Utah newspapers.

Last week, that letter landed the 67-year-old Davis County man in Washington — and gave him a chance to shake hands with President Bush.

He was also referenced in a speech about Social Security reform, given during the annual conference of Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America.

"I told my children, be careful of everything you do," he said. "You have no idea where it could lead."

In his letter to the editor, Noel detailed his support of the president's plan to privatize Social Security. He also listed what he receives each month for retirement: $1,152 from Social Security and $5,400 from a private investment account created during 30 years as a teacher in Bend, Ore.

White House staffers took note of the letter, asking him to be a part of the president's speech about retirement. The insurance association paid for Noel and his wife to travel to Washington.

Excerpts from Bush's speech show several references to Noel and his use of a personal retirement account.

"I appreciate you coming, Wright," said the president. "I appreciate you letting me use you as an example of missed opportunity for a lot of people because of the way the current system is structured.

"You see, I think we need to give everybody a chance, if they so choose, to put some of their money into a personal savings account, a conservative mix of bonds and stocks, so they can get a better rate of return on their money."

Noel says he is a staunch supporter of the president's plan to privatize Social Security. "It's so obvious, I don't know why anyone would question it," he said. "I've put more money into Social Security than in my private investment fund, and I've had more than four times the return on investment."

Noel didn't have time to share that support with the president but said the experience was still worthwhile. He and his wife had a private tour of the West Wing where they saw the Oval Office and experienced the decorating style of Laura Bush.

"I was very impressed by several things," said Noel. "The decorating that Laura Bush has done has made everything warm and comfortable . . . it's not pompous."