Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 1463, legislation supporting the goals and ideals of Railroad Retirement Day. I commend my colleague, Representative Perriello, for his efforts on this bill and urge Congress to pass this important legislation. Railroad Retirement Day, as designated by the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, recognizes the important contributions that the rail industry, rail workers, and retirees make to the national transportation system. This legislation urges the American people to recognize Railroad Retirement Day, which is August 29, 2010, as an opportunity to celebrate the success and importance of the railroad retirement system to America's working families. This year, nearly 600,000 beneficiaries will receive retirement and survivor benefits and about 42,000 railroad workers will receive unemployment and sickness benefits through the railroad retirement system. After the great depression, and years of decline, President Roosevelt and Congress worked with railroad management and labor to pass legislation that would allow for a secure and stable retirement system for railroad workers. The law has been updated and expanded over the years to increase benefits for dependents, liberalize early retirement benefits, and add survivor and spousal benefits. In the beginning of this year, its 75th year, railroad retirement benefits had been provided to 2 million retired employees, 1.1 million spouses, and 2.4 million survivors.…”