81R7852 BPG-D By: McClendon H.C.R. No. 90 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Established in 1947 and safeguarded under Section 67, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, the Employees Retirement System of Texas provides retirement benefits for state employees, elected state officials, and members of the judiciary; and WHEREAS, In 1999, the 76th Texas Legislature provided for a supplemental retirement annuity for retired state employees in the form of a 13th check, and the next year ERS announced that it would issue this lump sum check to state employees who were retired on or before August 31, 2000; despite this assurance, retirees are still waiting to receive the promised benefit; and WHEREAS, There are more than 73,000 retirees and survivors of ERS annuitants currently drawing benefits, and a 13th check would provide welcome support for these families and would also be an important boon to their communities during this economic downturn; and WHEREAS, The retired employees of the State of Texas greatly contributed to the state and deserve proper compensation for their dedication and service to the citizens of Texas; it is imperative, therefore, that the legislature show its support for the supplemental annuity by firmly endorsing the issuing of a 13th check to retirees no later than September 2009; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas hereby express its commitment to the state's retired public employees and express its support for a 13th check for annuitants of the Employees Retirement System of Texas.