From the Office of Utah Congressman Jim Matheson

MATHESON NEWS
Second Congressional District

For Further Information
Alyson Heyrend: (801) 455-5593 (cell)
www.house.gov/matheson

March 08, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matheson Votes to Support Airline Pensions

Washington DC-Congressman Jim Matheson today voted to instruct Congressional negotiators to strengthen airline pension provisions as they finalize a bill overhauling pension law.  The House and the Senate have passed different versions of a Pension Protection Act and are now working out the differences to come up with a single measure.

Last week, Matheson sent colleagues a letter urging support for language that offers relief for airlines and hope for employees who worry about the security of their retirement. More than 80 bipartisan Members in the House added their signatures.

"I am pleased that today we passed a motion to instruct Congressional negotiators to protect  the pension benefits of airline employees," said Matheson.  "At a time when the financially-troubled airline industry is struggling, we need to do whatever we can to encourage and help companies such as Delta Airlines to offer well-funded pension plans."

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Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 East Morris Ave. #235
South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 486-1236 (phone)
(801) 455-5593 (cell)
(801) 486-1417 (fax)