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A Note from the Congressman…

As the 109^th Congress draws closer to an end, I wanted to provide you a snapshot of my daily activities as your U.S. Representative. While most people know that my job entails introducing, reviewing and voting on legislation, that is only a fraction of my responsibilities.

Below, I have provided a brief package of information that gives you a glimpse of the work I and my staff have done on your behalf. My commitment to the people of the 26^th Congressional District of Texas is as strong as ever. My job is to be your resource and your representative in Washington, and I intend to continue working aggressively for the best for North Texas.

Sincerely,

Michael C. Burgess

Congressional Website
Communicating with constituents is the key to success in Washington. My effort to communicate involves several different methods. There is what most people consider the “traditional” forms of communications: letters, events and mailings, but I have strived to make sure that cutting edge communications is a function of my office. In particular, I am committed to providing an up-to-date website with recent news, my thoughts on legislative issues and guidance to receiving help from my office. The following paragraphs explain in more detail the activities and avenues of communication from my office.

Responses to Constituents
As a constituent, you can write, call or email any question or comment to my office. Since January 2005 (the beginning of the 109^th Congress), I have responded to nearly 76,000 constituent communications.

Recognition of Constituents
In an effort to recognize public achievements by individuals or organizations in the 26^th District, I have prepared over 300 “Extension of Remarks”. These “remarks” are official documents submitted into the Congressional Record.

Constituent Services
Perhaps one of the largest, and most rewarding, aspects of my job include providing Constituent Services. Whether you need help with a federal agency; are trying to find out if federal grants are available for your project or are considering applying to a service academy, my office is ready to assist you. I have exemplary caseworkers who are familiar with the details and information necessary to help you. Since January 2005, my office has worked on close to 1,000 cases. If you need assistance, please contact my Lewisville District Office at (972) 434-9700.

Direct Mailings
Mailings are a wonderful way to bring you a more detailed summary of my particular views on an issue and solicit your input. The following is a list of the specific mailings during the 109^th Congress:

· Introduction to the 109th Congress

· Strengthen Border Security

· Picking your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (2005, 2006)

· 2005 Year-End Wrap-Up

· The Burgess Brochure

· Graduation Certificates (2005, 2006)

Hosted Events
Although I am often in Washington for votes, I still reside in the 26^th District and try to maximize my time home. There is nothing I enjoy more about my job than actually spending time with my constituents whether at town halls or issue-specifics events. The following is a brief list of the events I’ve hosted since January 2005:

· Town Halls (14 throughout district)
· Hosted Tele-Town Halls (reached over 25,000 constituents)
· Academy Days (6 throughout district)
· Congressional Art Competition (2)
· Energy Efficiency Event (with Deputy Secretary of Energy Clay Sell)
· E911 Emergency Preparedness
· Annual Economic Development Summit (2)
· Living Wills Summit
· Transportation Summit (with House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young) (2)
· Homeownership Fair (with U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson)
· Medicare Rx Drug Forums (with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt) (7)
· “Coffee with the Congressman”
· Avian Flu Roundtable

Opinion Pieces
In representing the 26^th District, I work to vocalize what my constituents believe and want to see on legislative priorities. While everyone has differing opinions, it is my job to analyze and push legislative ideas that I believe will benefit the District and the country on the whole. One avenue for explaining my positions is through opinion pieces.

· True Transparency in Health Care Required
· U.S. Long Term Care Needs Better Strategy
· Health Savings Accounts for You
· Cracking the Barnett Shale
· The Basics of Border Health
· Democracy in Iraq
· Texans Enjoy Medicare Rx Savings
· Cost Information is Essential to Health Care Transparency
· Selecting Your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
· The Time for ANWR Has Come
· We Need a National Energy Plan
· Giving a Moment of Hope and a Future of Happiness (Hurricane Katrina)
· The Coverage Gap Can be a Thing of the Past

Introduced Legislation
In an effort to improve the quality of life for North Texans, and indeed all Americans, I have worked to introduce legislation and amendments that I believe will enhance our national government. In the 109^th Congress, I have introduced 16 bills and 2 amendments. To review specifics on any piece of legislation, visit the Library of Congress’ THOMAS website. 

1. H.CON.RES.290 - Honoring the goals and ideals of National Nurse Practitioners Week.
2. H.RES.402 - Supporting the goals and ideals of Infant Mortality Awareness Month.
3. H.RES.534 - Recognizing the importance of an independent Iraqi judiciary in the formation of a new and democratic Iraq.
4. H.R.35 - North Texas Mobility Improvement Act of 2005
5. H.R.51 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the dollar limitation on employer-provided group term life insurance that can be excluded from the gross income of the employee.
6. H.R. 1040 - Freedom Flat Tax Act
7. H.R.1085 - Reforming, Accelerating, and Protection Interstate Design Act – bill’s language was included in the 2005 Highway Authorization Bill
8. H.R. 1086 - To require the Secretary of Transportation to develop and implement an environmental review process for safety emergency highway projects – bill’s language was included in the 2005 Highway Authorization Bill
9. H.R.1368 - Integrated Water Resources Management Act of 2005
10. H.R. 2257 - Medicare Osteoporosis Measurement Act of 2005
11. H.R. 2793 - HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act
12. H.R.3511 - Medicaid State Long-Term Care Partnership Program Act of 2005– bill’s language was included in the 2005 Deficit Reauthorization Act
13. Public Law No: 109-357 (H.R.4902) - Byron Nelson Congressional Gold Medal Act
14. H.R.5555 - Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act of 2006
15. H.R.5866 - Medicare Physician Payment Reform and Quality Improvement Act of 2006
16. H.R.6053 - Health Care Price Transparency Promotion Act of 2006

Committee Legislation
Thought my assignment on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I have been honored to play an integral role on many legislative initiatives. While this list is not a comprehensive, I believe it is representational of the scope of legislative issues I work on daily.

P.L. 109-58 (H.R. 6, H.R. 1640) - Energy Policy Act of 2005
P.L. 109-163 (H.R. 1815, S. 1042) - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006
P.L. 109-171 (S. 1932, H.R. 4241) - Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
P.L. 109-13 (H.R. 418) - REAL ID Act of 2005
P.L. 109-235 (H.R. 310, S. 193) - Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005
P.L. 109-307 (H.R. 5574) - Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2006

Supported Legislation
Although there are many more items that I could discuss, I wanted to leave you with some specifics on the legislative issues that I strongly supported during the 109^th Congress. These topics have a great impact on the direction of the country and are of great personal importance to my constituents.

H.J.RES.88 - Marriage Protection Amendment
H.R.3997, Data Accountability and Trust Act (DATA)
H.R.1259 - To award a congressional gold medal on behalf of the Tuskegee Airmen, collectively, in recognition of their unique military record which inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces.
H.R.3135 - Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2005
H.R.6228 (S. 3661 passed) – “Wright Amendment” To amend section 29 of the International Air Transportation Competition Act of 1979 relating to air transportation to and from Love Field, Texas.
H.R. 519, The Permanent Sales Tax Deduction Act of 2005
H.R. 4511, Flex Health Savings Accounts Act of 2005 - would increase the annual cap on deposits to Health Savings Accounts and would allow individuals to deposit amounts leftover in Flexible Spending Accounts into a qualified Health Savings Account
H.R. 5262, Tax Free Health Savings Act of 2006 - would make several improvements to consumer health accounts such as making premiums for high deductible health plans tax deductible and allow for the payment of HDHP premiums out of an HSA
H.R.2089, Securing Access, Value, and Equality in Health Care Act (SAVE Act) - would give families and individuals a tax credit to purchase health insurance
H.R.6164, National Institutes of Health Reform Act of 2006
H.R. 6143, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006

CONSTITUENT SERVICES