The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC   20510

	Re:	S. 697, Railroad Retirement and Survivors’ Improvement Act of 2001

Dear Senator Hutchison:

	As one of over 75,000 Texans affected by the passage of the above referenced bill, and among over one million nationwide, I strongly urge you to speak with your colleagues to allow Railroad Retirement reform to move out of the Finance Committee and on to the Senate Floor for a vote as soon as possible after Labor Day.  H.R. 1140 passed the House of Representatives on July 31, 2001, by a vote of 384 to 33.  During the House floor debate, one Congressman from Texas put forth a number of outright lies about this legislation.  You have said in the past that you “support a strong and effective federal railroad retirement and survivors’ support system, and one that meets the obligations that have been established by law for those beneficiaries.”  However, you have stopped short of saying that you support S. 697.

	Railroad Retirement reform is necessary to bring railroad widows on par with those covered by social security in that, when the retiree dies, they will receive the greater of the two pensions.  This legislation must pass this year in order to provide these surviving spouses some relief.  The reforms proposed under the current legislation provide for a safety net, and the CBO’s own report regarding the projected solvency under the new system is very favorable.  Because improvements will be made to the way the system invests, it will provide the monies necessary to fund the other benefits outlined in the bill.

	Please encourage your colleagues to support the consideration and passage of Railroad Retirement as soon as possible after Labor Day.  In addition, your co-sponsorship and support would mean a lot to your constituents in Texas.  Passage of this bill is simply the right thing to do.

	If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  This bill is a win-win situation for the Carriers, Retirees, and Railroad employees now, as well as those in the future.

Very truly yours,