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Urging congressional support for the Railroad Retirement and Survivors Improvement Act; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Railroad Retirement and Survivors Improvement Act of 2000 was approved in a bipartisan effort by 391 members of the United States House of Representatives in the 106th Congress; and

WHEREAS, more than 80 United States Senators, including Georgia Senators Max Cleland and Zell Miller, signed letters of support for this legislation in 2000; and

WHEREAS, the bill currently before the 107th Congress modernizes the railroad retirement system for its 748,000 beneficiaries nationwide, including over 16,900 in Georgia; and

WHEREAS, railroad management, labor, and retiree organizations have agreed to support this legislation which provides tax relief to freight railroad, Amtrak, and commuter lines; and

WHEREAS, this legislation provides improved benefits for surviving spouses of rail workers who currently suffer deep cuts in income when the rail retiree dies; and

WHEREAS, no outside contributions from taxpayers are needed to implement the changes called for in this legislation since all changes are paid from within the railroad industry, including a full share by active employees.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that this body urges the support of the Railroad Retirement and Survivors Improvement Act in the 107th Congress.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to each member of Congress from Georgia.