[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 117 (Wednesday, August 4, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S6739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 606--DESIGNATING AUGUST 29, 2010, AS ``RAILROAD 
                            RETIREMENT DAY''

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

                              S. Res. 606

       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.

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