On November 19, 1962, Your Excellency, after several requests from various associations composed of constitutional officers that they and their employees be covered by the Virginia Supplemental Retirement System, requested the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council to study means to provide retirement coverage for such officers and employees. The Council was requested to report to the Governor and the General Assembly by September 1, 1963.

The Council designated Honorable John Warren Cooke, of Mathews, member of the House of Delegates and member of the Council, to act as chairman of a committee to make the initial study and report. The following persons were selected to serve as members of the Committee: Harold I. Baumes, Executive Secretary, Virginia Municipal League; C. B. Covington, Jr., City Treasurer, Newport News; C. E. Gnadt, Commissioner of the Revenue, Prince William County, Manassas; William J. Hassan, Commonwealth's Attorney, Arlington County; George R. Long, League of Virginia Counties, Charlottesville; William V. Rawlings, member of the Senate, Capron; and Lewis H. Vaden, State Treasurer, Richmond.

The Committee met and organized, electing Mr. Gnadt as Vice-Chairman. John B. Boatwright, Jr., and R. L. Masden served as Secretary and Recording Secretary, respectively, to the Committee.

With the assistance of Charles H. Smith, Director, Virginia Supplemental Retirement System, the Committee assembled information on the history of the Virginia System and coverage of local officers thereunder; it also secured comparable information as to nearby states. It held a public hearing at which those interested were invited to express their views. The Committee completed its study and reported to the Council. The Council has carefully considered the report of the Committee and now submits its own report.

The Council gratefully acknowledges the assistance rendered it by the members of the Committee in contributing their time and knowledge to the investigation of this subject. It also desires to recognize the aid given the Committee by Mr. C. H. Smith, and expresses its appreciation to him and the others who were of assistance during the study.