LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Arkansas State Legislative Director James Matthews reported that the 83rd Arkansas General Assembly has unanimously passed a House resolution calling for the adoption of the Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act of 2001.

Matthews said that H.C.R. 1008, a House resolution with the Senate concurring, was passed "urging the United States Congress to support and enact the proposed Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act," and said that "all Arkansas congressmen and senators are on board."

The resolution also states that copies of H.C.R. 1008 be forwarded to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and all members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation.

"I would like to add that the Arkansas Legislative Board expresses its appreciation to State Rep. J. Taylor Bradford for his help in getting this resolution before the assembly," Matthews said.

"Bradford has been a friend of the UTU and all of labor during his years of service in both the Arkansas House and the state senate," Matthews added. "He has worked with former State Director Don Beavers in the past and continues to be a faithful and good supporter of our efforts."

The concurrent resolution has also been sent to the office of Governor Mike Huckabee.