SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 674
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
  recognize the Texas Retired Teachers Association and pay tribute
  to this state's public educators, who provide an invaluable
  service to the people of the State of Texas; and
         WHEREAS, The Texas Retired Teachers Association represents
  retired public education employees--1,100 of whom are presently
  gathering in Dallas for their 56th annual convention; and
         WHEREAS, The members of the Texas Retired Teachers
  Association continually work to improve their local communities
  throughout the state; they have given from their hearts almost
  five million hours of volunteer service, with a value equivalent
  to more than $97 million; and
         WHEREAS, Retired educators volunteer in schools and
  promote lifelong learning by providing books to children through
  the Children's Book Project; more than 462,000 books have been
  donated so far, including almost 82,000 last year alone; and
         WHEREAS, The members of the Texas Retired Teachers
  Association are conscious of the effect their health has on the
  world around them and work to preserve the TRS-Care program by
  reducing doctor visits through their participation in the
  Walks-A-Million Program, in which they have collectively taken
  more than 28 billion steps toward greater wellness; and
         WHEREAS, Retiree annuity payments from the Teacher
  Retirement System of Texas have exceeded $6 billion, directly
  creating 84,300 jobs in the Lone Star State; and
         WHEREAS, The Texas Retired Teachers Association and its
  nearly 70,000 members work diligently to protect current and
  future public education retirees; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Texas, 81st Legislature,
  hereby commend the Texas Retired Teachers Association for its
  outstanding work and recognize the week of March 29 through April
  4, 2009, as Texas Retired Teachers Week; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  the association as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
 
  Duncan
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on April 22, 2009.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate