The Burgess Bulletin - June 20006
WASHINGTON, DC,
June 6, 2006
The June Burgess Bulletin Please do not respond to this email. To contact Congressman Burgess, use the "Write Your Rep" service. If you would to be removed from our email distribution list, please click here. This link will redirect you to the main page of the congressional website where you can remove your email address. NEWS Burgess Attends Presidential Signing of Tax Relief Extension into Law
President Bush signs Republican-Pushed Tax Relief for All Americans. Congressman Michael Burgess appears clapping in the foreground. Photo by Doug Mills, The New York Times. President George Bush signed legislation to prevent tax hikes on seniors, families, and small businesses and ensure the policies that have helped create the current job and economic growth will continue. U.S Congressman Michael C. Burgess was present at the signing ceremony. Among other things, the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act (H.R. 4297) will do the following: · Extend alternative minimum tax relief for an additional year; · Extend the increased limit on small business expensing through the end of 2009; · Extend the lower tax rate on dividend income through 2010; and · Extend the lower tax rate on capital gains income through 2010.
“In these uncertain times, we can ill-afford to stand and watch as illegal immigrants continue to stream into this country. I swore an oath to protect and defend this country, and that means securing our borders.” — Congressman Michael Burgess Member, Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus Rep. Burgess’ Byron Nelson Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4902, to give philanthropist, golfer and North Texan Byron Nelson the Congressional Gold Medal. Introducing the legislation on March 8, 2006, Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) worked feverously to garner more than 300 cosponsors for the bill in three week’s time achieving the two-thirds requirement for a floor vote. It passed the House by a voice vote. “The outpouring of support to give Byron Nelson the Congressional Gold Medal was astounding,” said Congressman Burgess. “I knew he was a national treasure, but the Member of the House couldn’t have agreed more.” While most people know of Mr. Nelson’s significant contributions to the game of golf, it his is humanitarian and philanthropic activities that make him worthy of the Congressional Gold Medal. Byron Nelson is a champion for the underprivileged and has given his time, talents, and funds to make this a better world. Byron Nelson and the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, to be held this weekend in Irving, has raised over $88,000,000 for the Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers, a nonprofit agency that provides education and mental health services for more than 2,700 children and their families. 
Byron Nelson is, of course, also a legend to the game of golf. Much noted for his unprecedented 11 simultaneous wins in 1945, his 5 victories at major tournaments, and his overall 54 career victories, it is no surprise that Mr. Nelson is one of the greatest players the game of golf has ever seen. Twice named “Male Athlete of the Year” by the Associated Press, a feat only accomplished by one other golfer, Tiger Woods, Bryon Nelson was selected for the Ryder Cup four times, leading the United States team as Captain to victory over Great Britain in 1965. He is also the only PGA professional golfer that has a PGA tour named in his honor: the EDS Byron Nelson Championship and the World Golf Hall of Fame honored Byron Nelson in 2004 by featuring an exhibit entitled “Byron Nelson: A Champion…A Gentleman. Byron Nelson’s accomplishments as a professional golfer are as impressive as his golf swing. “Through his outstanding accomplishments as a golfer and a humanitarian, Byron Nelson has proved to be an exemplary citizen,” said Congressman Michael C. Burgess. “The time has come for Congress to bestow on this gentleman an honor worthy of his life-long efforts to improve the lives of those less privileged.” Aubrey High School & Congressman Burgess Host
A Great Step in Getting Ready for Bird Flu On May 3, the White House released the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza, which includes over 300 actions for Federal agencies and other entities to take. As a doctor, I believe that the plan is a great step towards ensuring a timely and appropriate pandemic influenza response at the federal level as well as providing clearer guidance to state and local communities on further needed preparedness efforts. The implementation of an incident management system will enhance federal interagency coordination. The President made it very clear that he will lead the federal government response should a pandemic flu arrive in the United States. HHS Secretary Leavitt will retain authority over public health activities and DHS Secretary Chertoff will handle coordination between agencies and communications with state and local governments. I believe the federal government should do all it can to help prepare for a potentially devastating outbreak, but I want to stress that all of us, as individuals, have a responsibility to be prepared. In addition, the emphasis on employing several interventions at the same time to contain or mitigate a potential pandemic is the right approach. A multilateral approach against pandemic influenza includes addressing the disease in poultry as well as humans. This disease is endemic in birds and cannot be eradicated unless more efforts to control avian influenza in the animal population are enacted. By reducing the incidence of avian flu in poultry, human health is preserved by being less likely to come in contact with avian influenza viruses. The actions listed in the Administration’s implementation plan provide clear goals and practical tasks. Agencies, states, and businesses should soon be able to assess their pandemic plans and integrate these defined actions to strengthen the existing public health infrastructure against pandemic influenza. Above all, Americans have a clear understanding of how the federal government can and will handle a potential pandemic. Congressman Burgess spoke on Bloomberg Radio and Washington Dateline concerning the new federal plan and addressed the myths and realities of a potential pandemic flu from ABC’s Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America on Ankarlo in the Mornings and The Mark Davis Show. Burgess, House GOP Support Respect for Fallen Heroes Act “I am committed to defending our nation from every threat and supporting our heroic soldiers who serve our country in the fight for our freedom and the rights of every human to live in a democracy. I cosponsored “Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act” (H.R. 5037) because the brave men and women of our military who pay the ultimate sacrifice deserve to be buried peacefully and with dignity.”
Burgess Cosponsors Tax-Free Health Savings Act U.S. Representative Michael C. Burgess (TX_26) cosponsored the Tax-Free Health Savings Act, H.R. 5262, to build on the success of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). HSAs are allowing more Americans to access quality, affordable health care and have more control over their health care costs and decisions. Rep. Burgess, alongside former U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary John W. Snow and bill author Deputy Majority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), addressed members of the press about the particulars of the bill. “The time is right for Health Savings Accounts in this country,” said Congressman Michael Burgess. “When I had my own practice back in Texas, and medical savings accounts were made available, I jumped at the chance to have one. HSAs provide patients with great control over their health care costs bringing more transparency and lower expenses.” The Tax Free Health Savings Act will help to make Health Savings Accounts an even more affordable and attractive health coverage option by:  ü Increasing HSA contribution limits; ü Making premiums for HSA-compatible insurance tax-deductible; ü Providing a low-income tax credit the purchase of HSA-compatible insurance; ü Allowing employers to make greater HSA contributions for chronically ill employees; ü Allowing flexibility to coordinate HSAs with existing health coverage options like Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs); ü Allowing early retirees to use HSA savings to pay for insurance coverage premiums; ü Providing an income tax credit equal to amount of payroll taxes paid on HSA-compatible insurance premiums; ü Providing an income tax credit equal to the amount of payroll taxes paid on HSA contributions, and ü Providing pre-tax treatment of health care expenses incurred under HSA-compatible health plans before an individual establishes an HSA. CONSTITUENT SERVICES "Write Your Rep" - - a service that allows you to write Congressman Burgess
Meet with Congressman Burgess’ staff for “Cooke County Community Office Hours” Congressman Burgess holds “Community Office Hours” in Cooke County twice each month; on the second and fourth Mondays. On the second Monday of each month, his staff will be at Gainesville City Hall; on the fourth Monday of each month, staff will be in Oak Ridge, Lake Kiowa or Callisburg. Representatives of Burgess’ office are available to take opinions on various issues and assist individuals with claims through federal agencies. Please contact Robin Vaughan in the Lewisville District Office at (972) 434-9700 for more information. The “Office Hours” dates and locations are below: Monday, June 12, 2006
TOWN HALLS COMING SOON
Gainesville |
Latest from twitter
Get the most up to date news from me on Twitter.