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NEWS

Statement on the Supreme Court’s Rejection of Guantanamo Military Tribunals

“I am saddened by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling which rejects the Guantanamo military tribunals. An essential component of the War on Terror includes detaining those who wish to do us harm, and our soldiers have, sometimes at the cost of their own lives, worked to contain these individuals. I can only imagine the frustration of our soldiers overseas upon hearing this decision.

The spilt Court clearly shows that this issue is complicated. I am reviewing the final opinion, and I am actively pursing what avenues Congress can take to rectify the current situation. In mid-July, I am scheduled on a mission to review the conditions and treatment of detainees at the U.S. Naval Station on Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Rest assured I am paying close attention to the Court’s decision. I want to reiterate my strong support and complete trust in our military forces and their mission.”

The U.S. Naval Station on Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is circled in red on the bottom right corner.

Statement on Supreme Court Redistricting Opinion

“The Supreme Court made a strong decision in favor of upholding the principles behind Texas redistricting which sought to accurately reflect the voting trends of the State. As the State government of Texas moves forward in tweaking the current map, I am confident the Supreme Court’s decision will be a useful and constitutionally sound tool. I am proud to represent the 26th District as it stands today, and I will continue to work hard for my constituents in Washington.”

Rep. Burgess Supports Cost-of-Living Increase for Vets

On June 27^th, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26) voted in favor of passing H.R. 4843, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2006. The bill passed the House of Representative 408-0.

“Recognizing the natural cycle that prices and expenses have risen, it was only just that we pass a bill providing our veterans and their dependents a cost-of-living increase,” said Congressman Michael Burgess. “For those individuals who have bravely served their country, we owe them this necessary increase.”

Burgess Language in Health Centers Renewal Act, Works to Lower Infant Mortality

During the week of June 19^th, the House passed legislation to reauthorize the Health Centers Renewal Act which ensures health centers are open to all in a community regardless of their ability to pay. The centers provide access to comprehensive primary and preventive health care services. Community health centers are estimated to be responsible for cutting infant mortality rates in the communities they serve by as much as 10%. Together, Rep. Burgess and Tarrant County Commissioner Roy C. Brooks have been working with Tarrant County hospital officials and community leaders to apply for federal approval of a community center in a section of southeast Fort Worth where they say additional health services are desperately needed.

“Infant mortality rates are appalling,” said Rep. Michael Burgess. “As we have seen in various news reports, the infant mortality rate in Tarrant County are higher than the national average. This reauthorization was critical because these centers provide the necessary health care for low income mothers-to-be who might not otherwise seek much-needed pre-natal services. The centers provide a trusted, community medical home.”

Rep. Burgess Votes Yes to Provide Permanent Death Tax Relief

The House of Representatives today approved H.R. 5638, the Permanent Estate Tax Relief Act of 2006, which will provide permanent estate tax and gift tax relief for millions of Americans. It reunifies the estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes and increases the estate and gift tax exemption to $5 million per person. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26) voted in favor of the tax relief. The estate tax, also known as the death tax, is a tax on the value of a deceased individual’s assets before they are passed to their heirs.

“I’ve always believed that a tax system should be simple, fair and just,” said Congressman Michael C. Burgess. “The most unreasonable of taxes is death tax. Our bill today will provide permanent relief from this inherently unfair tax, allowing Americans who have worked hard their whole lives to pass down the fruits of their labor.”

 Statement on the Current Avian Flu Situation

Although avian flu outbreaks and human infections are continuing internationally, the H5N1 virus has not yet achieved effective human-to-human transmission. Experts in the scientific community are focusing on the family cluster situation in the Kubu Simbelang Village in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Since only relatives of the original case have been infected and not other individuals in the village, the World Health Organization pandemic alert phase remains at level 3 (very limited human-to-human transmission). While I continue to monitor the situation and communicate with various federal, state, and local agencies, I am pleased to see the preparedness efforts that Texas and my local community are undertaking. I thought it was important to come to the floor and talk about an issue that pops up from time to time on our news shows and the American consciousness, and that is the issue of avian flu, or the bird flu.

For additional information on avian influenza, please visit www.PandemicFlu.gov or my website under legislative issues. Rep. Burgess also spoke on the myths and realities in the ABC Made-for-TV Fatal Contact on the Mark Davis Show and Ankarlo in the Mornings.

Please click on the following links:

Ankarlo in the Mornings - Myths and Realities of Pandemic Flu
Mark Davis Show - Myths & Realities of a Pandemic Flu

U.S. Representative Burgess Brings an Additional $4 Million to UNT’s ARTI

Today, Congressman Michael Burgess secured $4 million for Advanced Research and Technology Initiative (ARTI) at the University of North Texas. The funding, intended to allow UNT and the Department of Defense to complete ARTI infrastructural development, comes from the fiscal year 2007 Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The University’s goal is to provide the capabilities necessary to satisfy the growing technological and engineering needs of the North Texas region and to advance research on projects of national importance associated with nanotechnology. The relationship between UNT and DoD is already producing concrete results.

“Every fiscal year I am committed to securing funding so North Texas remains at the heart of research and technological advancements,” said Congressman Michael Burgess.

Statement on the Death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi 

U.S. Representative Michael C. Burgess today issued the following statement on the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi:

“I first want to congratulate our Armed Services and their commitment, through much adversity, to fighting the insurgency in Iraq. Their bravery and fortitude have won freedom for the Iraqi people, enabled a new Iraqi government to be established, and slowly but surely, to chip away at the forces that wish to harm us and all those people who believe in democracy.

The death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi marks a significant day of achievement in the War on Terror. His death is a testament to the will of the Iraqi people to secure their own country and an acknowledgement of their strong relationship with the United State’s forces. An embodiment of the true malevolence, terror and cruelty, al-Zarqawi’s demise brings us all a step closer to safety and a leap forward to eradicating terrorism at all levels.”

CONSTITUENT SERVICES


Burgess Welcomes Nominations for Congressional Veterans Commendation

U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. proudly announces a special salute to honor local veterans and welcomes nominations from the community for the Congressional Veteran Commendation. The Congressional Veteran Commendation, in conjunction with the Veterans History Project sponsored by the Library of Congress, has been created to honor the distinguished veterans of Texas’ 26^th Congressional District and to preserve their stories for future generations of Americans.

To nominate a veteran for the Congressional Veteran Commendation, please visit Rep. Burgess’ website to get more information and to obtain a nomination form. The completed nomination form, along with any additional information pertaining to the veteran's service, should be returned to my Lewisville office. The deadline for submitting nominations is September 15, 2006. Veterans who are nominated must be residents of the 26^th District of Texas and have served our nation with honor consistent with the finest traditions of military service.

Rep. Burgess Recognizes Academy Appointees at “Coffee with the Congressman”

At an informal coffee in Highland Village, Congressman Burgess recently recognized the outstanding young people from the 26^th Congressional District who have accepted appointment offers to attend one the of the U.S. Service Academies: the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD, the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY.

He presented each of them with a Special Certificate of Congressional Recognition and a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of their appointments. Burgess said, “One of the privileges of serving in the United States House of Representatives is the opportunity to nominate outstanding young people from the 26^th Congressional District to be considered for appointment to our nation’s service academies. The academies offer a top-notch education for those individuals who have the desire to serve our county. I am honored to be able to recommend local students who are dedicated to the peace and security of the United States and will one day serve our country with distinction as officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Those individuals honored were:

U.S. Military Academy
Tim Clark, Highland Village (USMA Prep School)
Jonathan Curley, Fort Worth (Kimball HS)|
Baker Flagg, Frisco (Trinity Christian School)
Joshua Knight, North Richland Hills (Home School)

U.S. Naval Academy
Kelly Altschul, Highland Village (Carrollton Christian Academy)
Andrew Burger, North Richland Hills (Birdville HS)
Howard Eliason, Keller (Keller HS)
Jonathan Herb, Keller (Keller HS)
Dan Hildenbrand, Denton (NMMI)
Joshua Jordan, Lewisville (Lewisville HS)
Caleb McKinnon, Argyle (Coram Deo Academy)
Meredith Sakovich, North Richland Hills (Richland HS)
Eric Stromme, Frisco (Frisco HS)

U.S. Air Force Academy
Nathan Brazzel, Denton (USAFA Prep School)
Matt Cook, Denton (Denton HS)
Brett Fields, Keller (USAFA Prep School)
Justin Fisk, North Richland Hills (Birdville HS)
Kimberly Madorran, Flower Mound (Flower Mound HS)
Robert Sparks, Hurst (Nolan Catholic HS)
Zachary Taylor, Roanoke (USAFA Prep School)

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Frank Hlatky, Lewisville (Lewisville HS)
Jackson Mershon, Keller (NMMI)
Anthony Scaparra, Flower Mound (Marcus HS)


26th District 2006 Academy Appointees:  Back Row (l-r): Nathan Brazzel, Andrew Burger, Kelly Altschul, Joshua Knight.  Middle Row (l-r): Jonathan Curley, Howard Eliason, Matt Cook, Justin Fisk, Zach Taylor, Eric Stromme, Baker Flagg, Robert Sparks, Tim Clark, Meredith Sakovich. Front Row (seated l-r): Kimberly Madorran, Anthony Scaparra, Frank Hlatky, Dan Hildenbrand, Congressman Michael Burgess, Jackson Mershon, Jonathan Herb. NOT Pictured: Brett Fields, Joshua Jordan, Caleb McKinnon

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