(UTU National Legislative Office Letterhead not reproduced)

October 18, 2000

TO: All Concerned

FROM: James M. Brunkenhoefer

RE: H.R. 4844 (Railroad Retirement and Survivors’ Improvement Act of 2000)

Despite some last-minute, closed-door political maneuvering, and a partisan gambit unfolding in the House chamber, we are continuing our efforts to make the provisions of H.R. 4844 part of any must-do legislation for this Congress.

With the appropriations process yet to be completed by Congress, the White House concentrating on the Middle East crisis, the recent terrorist attack on our Navy, and the upcoming election, our challenge is to keep H.R. 4844 from getting lost in the shuffle.

To that end, we are dogging the appropriate legislators, hand-delivering information to the White House and other locations daily, contacting other government officials such as governors, lieutenant governors and state legislators, and doing everything possible to emphasize the necessity of remembering to include Railroad Retirement improvements in the legislation being handled.

In the meantime, positive and negative rumors continue to circulate -- but these are only rumors and should be regarded as such.

We remain cautiously optimistic that Railroad Retirement and Survivors’ Improvement Act of 2000 remains a viable package in this session of Congress.

UTU Main Page