The Honorable Phil Gramm
370 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC   20510

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

Dear Senator Gramm:

	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 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.  As you are probably aware, H.R. 1140, passed the House of Representatives on July 31, 2001, by a vote of 384 to 33, in spite of the last minute misinformation by our opponents.

	You have acknowledged in the past that you are committed to reforming the Railroad Retirement system, and admit that the current system has no real means of increasing the value of its funds.  This bill will make giant strides in reforming railroaders' "pension plan," making it stronger and more viable so that it can meet the needs of railroad workers now and in the future.

	Senator Gramm, the arguments that has been offered against both the House bill and the Senate bill, including yours, are without merit.  This bill will bring railroad widows on par with widows under social security in that, when the retiree dies, they will receive the greater of the two pensions.  The bill has a built-in safety net provided by the Carriers, and 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 urge your fellow committee members to address Railroad Retirement reform as soon as possible after your return to Washington.  In addition, your co-sponsorship and support would mean a lot to your constituents in Texas.  We should be allowed to reap the benefits of our hard work.  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,