Winter 2000
Volume 107 - No. 4
Winter 2000
Volume 107 - No. 4
As we look back on the year 2000 and reflect on our success, it is also
important to recognize those things we were not able to bring to a successful
conclusion.
First on this list has to be the failure to get the Railroad Retirement and Survivor's Improvement Act of 2000, H.R. 4844, passed. This was devastating news to all of us. Let me assure you we will not give up on our effort to improve our retirement system for spousal survivors.
This bill, H.R. 4844, passed the House of Representatives and was then sent to the Senatewhere 83 Senators co-sponsored it. However, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R- Miss.), with encouragement and strong backing of Senators Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), Phil Gramm (R-Tex.) and Don Nickles (R-Okla.), successfully blocked the bill from a full Senate vote in 2000. In a nutshell, this bill is dead.
Although we are frustrated and deeply disappointed with the fact that the Senate failed to act on this bill, we will, once again, roll up our sleeves and begin again. Our work will resume as soon as the 107th Congress convenes in January 2001, and we ask all of you to be ready to help us.
Unfortunately, this was not the only legislation we were unable to bring to a satisfactory conclusion. As we pursue our agenda to improve the lifestyle of locomotive engineers and their families, we feel that legislation is the only tool we have to resolve our problems and/or correct them. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with the BLE on these issues.
Again, the agenda we have adopted in 1996 - to grow-inform-achieve -
will remain our overall work schedule for 2001. We feel this broad agenda
allows us to work vigorously to strengthen our Auxiliary. Knowing that the
potential for growth is vast we will continue to reach out to our extended
family for support.
The support we have received from BLE International President Edward Dubroski and the BLE International Office is very much appreciated, and we look forward to a continuation of their support and participation.
Year 2001 promises to be a very active year for the Grand International Auxiliary, and, once again we ask for your support and participation.
Working together we can make a Difference!
© 2000 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers