[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 606 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 606

      Designating August 29, 2010, as ``Railroad Retirement Day''.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 4, 2010

 Mr. Burris submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
      Designating August 29, 2010, as ``Railroad Retirement Day''.

Whereas the Railroad Retirement Act of 1935 (49 Stat. 967, chapter 812) was 
        signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt 75 years ago on 
        August 29, 1935, establishing the beginnings of a new social insurance 
        system for the rail industry of the United States that today protects 
        families against loss of income due to the retirement, disability, or 
        death of a wage earner and assists in meeting the medical expenses of 
        the elderly and long-term disabled;
Whereas the railroad retirement program was enacted before the Social Security 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) and continues to be one of the most 
        successful social insurance programs in the history of the Nation;
Whereas, during the past 75 years, railroad retirement benefits of over 
        $281,000,000,000 have been paid by the Railroad Retirement Board to more 
        than 5,000,000 retired workers and their spouses and survivors;
Whereas today more than 200,000 individuals work in railroad employment and pay 
        railroad retirement taxes;
Whereas the railroad retirement system today provides comprehensive monthly 
        benefits to over 500,000 individuals in the United States; and
Whereas the rail industry continues to be an integral part of the transportation 
        system of the United States and is vital to the economy of the Nation: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates August 29, 2010, as ``Railroad Retirement 
        Day''; and
            (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling upon the people of the United States to observe the day 
        with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
                                 <all>