Statement by the Honorable Michael Burgess, MD The Silicosis Story: Mass Tort Screening and the Public Health June 6, 2006 Thank you Mr. Chairman, and thank you for your continued leadership into the investigation of this important public health issue. While today we continue to address the potential problems associated with mass screening and the diagnosis of illnesses, I strongly believe that it is the role and responsibility of this entire committee to address the imminent health care needs ... Read more

U.S. Representative Michael C. Burgess is pleased to announce that four North Texas teachers have been selected to participate in Southwest Vistas: The Border in American History, a teacher institute sponsored by the University of Houston, the University of Texas at El Paso, and Humanities Texas, the nonprofit state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Representative Burgess nominated the following teachers for this opportunity: Jeff Barksdale, a teacher at Northwest High School... Read more

Today, Congressman Michael C. Burgess dispensed a letter to U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld concerning the ongoing Haditha investigation. Please click on the link to the right to read the formatted version of the letter. Dear Secretary Rumsfeld: With the recent troubling news regarding the case involving a Marine patrol in Haditha, Iraq and alleged civilian murders, I request that the Department hold a briefing for Members of Congress about the details involved in this case ... Read more

Today, U.S. Congressman Michael Burgess (TX-26) announced the winner of the fourth annual 26th Congressional District art competition, “An Artistic Discovery.” A sophomore at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Annaliese Hnat, won first prize in the 2006 competition with her oil pastel entitled “Unheard Cries.” The art competition was open to public, private and home-schooled high school students residing in the district. “This contest is designed to highlight the artistic achievements of our lo... Read more

Today, Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) voted for passage of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007. It was approve by the U.S. House of Representatives and is designed to provide funding to help keep our air and water clean and put our nation on the path to energy independence. “There are a number of factors that contribute to high gasoline prices including crude oil prices, refinery capacity, environmental regulations and consumer de... Read more

(Submitted to The Hill – Congress Blog) I am glad to hear the Minority Leader acknowledge we have an energy problem, but surely we can all agree that conservation alone is not the panacea. What we require is a balance between conservation and production which puts us on a clear path to energy independence. This should be a goal of the entire Congress – that means both sides of the aisle. Even as worldwide demand for petroleum has increased in the last decade, the growth in production has been r... Read more

SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND AIR QUALITY HEARING: "Vehicle and Fuels Technology: Next Generation" May 24, 2006 Mr. Chairman, thank you for convening this hearing today. In recent months, and indeed since Hurricane Katrina reminded us how perilously dependent and accustomed we have become, as a nation, to cheap oil and gasoline, there have been dozens of hearings, held in multiple committees, on both sides of the Capitol, on the subject of high gasoline prices. I continue to believe that the most ... Read more

Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) supports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) “Click It or Ticket” campaign which runs from today into June which is National Drive Safe Month. While on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Michael Burgess introduced transportation legislation to develop and implement a process for the expedited environmental review and approval of safety emergency highway construction or maintenance projects that correct or i... Read more

Congressman Michael C. Burgess voted in favor of H.R. 5385, the Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007 that will help improve quality of life for the members of our military and our veterans and help ensure they get the benefits they deserve. “We can never repay our military men and women for their bravery, their devotion and their sacrifices, we can ensure that they receive and enjoy benefits to which they deserve,” said Congressman Burgess. “The ... Read more

STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD - MICHAEL C. BURGESS ENERGY AND COMMERCE HEARING: "Unlocking America's Energy Resources: Next Generation" May 18, 2006 Mr. Chairman, Thank you for convening today's hearing. In my district, we run the gamut of renewable energy - there's a company that manufactures solar panels in Keller and another that manufactures wind turbines in Gainesville. The Lake Dallas Independent School District uses geothermal energy to heat and cool their schools. The Wal-Mart in McKinney, w... Read more