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NEWS

Burgess Introduces Legislation to Keep CHILDREN in SCHIP

State Children’s Health Insurance Program was created by Congress in 1997. Since its inception, SCHIP has covered millions of children whose families make too much money to be eligible for Medicaid but often do not have access to affordable health insurance. While enrollment among children has risen, some states, with the complicity of the federal government have used this program to also provide coverage to hundreds of thousands of adults as well. For a program that is designed to cover children and provides capped allocations to states, this move has put pressure on other states struggling to cover just their needy children.

For instance, in Fiscal Year 2005, SCHIP adult enrollment exceeded child enrollment in four states: Arizona (113,621 adults/ 88,005 kids), Michigan (101,283 adults/ 89,257 kids), Minnesota (35,011 adults/ 5076 kids), and Wisconsin (108,808 adults/ 57,165 kids).

A total of 14 states cover adults under their SCHIP programs (Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Wisconsin). Nine of those states will report a shortfall of SCHIP funds in 2008, placing pressure on the federal government to take surplus money from other states like Texas that have not quite spent their total annual allocation (but are projected to in the near future).

“This practice is not equitable to needy children in other states,” said Congressman Michael Burgess. “A dollar spent on a non-pregnant adult is a dollar that isn’t spent on a needy child. States should prioritize spending on needy children and live within their annual allocations instead of taking from other states when their programs run a shortfall.”

My bill, H.R. 1013, SCHIP Equity Act would end the application of SCHIP coverage to adults, except still permitting coverage of pregnant women.

Doctors Discuss Advancements in Amniotic Stem Cell Research

U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26) met with Dr. Anthony Atala of Wake Forest University who has most recently gained media attention for his discovery of amniotic stem cells. Amniotic stem cells are obtained from the fluid surrounding the baby in the womb or from the placenta when the baby is delivered. Either way, collecting them does not harm the infant.

Dr. Anthony Atala is a urologist and Director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. He has worked in the field of tissue engineering for years, and came by to discuss the potential medical applications of his work with the Congressman. What he revealed was remarkable.

Dr. Atala explained that most human tissues can actually be grown in the lab without stem cells or cloning, by starting with a small sample of the original tissue. This is how he was able to bioengineer the first bladder to be implanted in a human; the few tissues that we can’t grow like this include liver, pancreas, heart and nervous tissue. This is where stem cells become so useful.

Embryonic stem cells have the most potential to develop into any type of cell, but they are difficult to grow and often form tumors, besides coming with an ethical dilemma. The amniotic stem cells that Dr. Atala has described are easier to grow and do not form tumors. They can also replicate without aging in the rapid way that cloned cells do. Dr. Atala’s team was able to differentiate these amniotic stem cells into fat, bone, muscle, liver, and nervous tissue, and all of these tissue types were functional.

Because Dr. Atala is meticulous in his experimentation, he often waits 5 years before publishing his work. This allows him to include follow-up information that verifies his claims. His team is currently investigating the treatment of diabetes in animal models, by creating pancreatic tissue that allows the animals to regain the ability to control their blood sugar. The results are very promising and could be life-changing for diabetics all over the world.

Congressman Burgess meets with Dr. Anthony Atala of Wake Forest University

Burgess Reintroduces Biodiesel Credit Tax Legislation

Today the U.S. imports nearly 60% of its oil and this number is expected to increase to 75% by 2010. Most of this oil comes from the Middle East and politically unstable nations such as Algeria, Nigeria and Venezuela. Reliance on foreign energy sources undermines our economy and our national security. Home-grown fuels, such as biodiesel, can help move the United States towards greater energy independence.

Biodiesel Industries, located in Denton, Texas runs a “Fry Oil to Fuel” program, which recycles used vegetable oils into biodiesel.

• Over 130 restaurants, schools, businesses, large kitchens, etc. have signed up to participate.

• According to Biodiesel Industries, if every U.S. metropolitan area were to implement a similar program, we could reduce oil imports by nearly 10%.

Small restaurant owners typically have to pay for grease collection, but as part of the “Fry Oil to Fuel” program, both the recycling service and the collection container are provided at no cost. Large companies, on the other hand, often have contracts with animal feedlots. Biodiesel Industries is collecting used cooking oil at a cost of about $2.80 per gallon, which they then process into a biodiesel that they sell at around $2 per gallon wholesale.

My bill, H.R. 927 doubles the tax credit for making biodiesel from recycled restaurant grease from $.50/gallon to $1.00/gallon, thereby encouraging its production. This reduces petroleum use without removing arable land from food production.

“We must think creatively, with an eye toward conservation and innovation, if we are to become energy independent,” said Congressman Michael Burgess. “I believe Denton’s Biodiesel Industries program is leading the way.”

Burgess Speaks and Votes Against H. Con. Res. 63 – The Iraq Debate

The following is an excerpt from Congressman Burgess’ floor remarks. For a complete copy, please click here . /News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=58217

Congressman Burgess debates on the House Floor

Video Clip

Madam Speaker, I rise to speak against H. Con. Res. 63. I think it is a mistake. It is the first step of this new Congress, the first step this new Congress is going to make towards cutting off the funding for our troops.

You do not have to take my word for it. Yesterday's CQ Today, a magazine widely read up here in Washington, and I am quoting, “It is a foot in the door toward limiting military involvement in Iraq. The Democrats want to do this by the Congressional power of the checkbook.”

I would submit that much of the chaos that ensued after we left Vietnam, and I would include the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in that chaos, I would include the militant jihadist takeover of our Embassy in Iran in that chaos, much of that ensued because of congressional action that was taken on the floor of this House in cutting off funding for our troops.

And I am not a big one on process. I haven't been here that long. I don't know that I understand process all that well. But why in the world would we not allow a vote or even a motion to recommit on, say, Sam Johnson's bill, H.R. 511. Sam Johnson's bill, a simple two-page bill that details all of the fine things done by our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and ends with this simple paragraph: Faithful support of Congress. Congress will not cut off or restrict funding for units and members in the Armed Forces that the Commander in Chief has deployed in harm's way.

Wow, that is pretty simple. I don't understand. I frankly, do not understand why this House could not vote on this simple measure submitted by my fellow Texan, Sam Johnson, a legitimate war hero in his own right. I simply do not understand why we wouldn't have an opportunity to vote on that bill or offer it as a motion to recommit before we vote on the resolution.

And the resolution itself, it is a shame that we weren't offered a chance to amend the bill, to amend the resolution, to perhaps make it better. I urge people to go on line and read it for themselves. It is only two lines. It is not a very heavy lift to read this particular piece of legislation.

Line 1, Congress and the American people will continue to support and protect Members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq. That is sentence one. Remarkable for what it leaves out. What about a comma, and who will serve? Would it be so wrong to include those individuals who will serve in whatever time is left in the country of Iraq, to include them in as being worthy of our support in Congress?

Line 2 is so vague as to almost defy description. Line 2 reads: Congress disapproves of the decision of President George W. Bush, announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional troops.

Well, would 19,995 troops be okay? Would Congress then not cock an eyebrow to say we don't like that either? Well, what does that second statement actually, what point are we trying to make by that second statement, other than we don't support the Commander in Chief, we don't support the mission, and as a consequence, you do have to ask if we support the troops.

Madam Speaker, I think everyone in this body has to answer two fundamental questions on this resolution before us: Is it in our broad national interest to win this fight? The second question: Can we prevail? Can we provide a modicum of security in the country of Iraq? Can we provide a modicum of sovereignty in the country of Iraq? For me, the answer to those two questions is yes. Yes and yes. And I recognize that people of goodwill can disagree about these issues. But if your answer is no, and no, then please stand up, show some courage.

This is a nonbinding resolution, for crying out loud. Even a Democratic Presidential candidate said it is equivalent to standing in the corner and stomping your feet.

We have heard a lot about moral obligations tonight. Well, I would submit that we have a moral obligation that if we can't answer both of those questions in the affirmative, bring the troops home now. Don't wait till April. Don't wait till September. If we haven't the resolve to see this thing through, or if we no longer feel that it is in our broad national interest to continue this fight, why in the world would you ask any man or woman to continue to serve in that country under those conditions?

It is our moral obligation to ensure that our troops know our intentions and they know that we are going to provide continued support for them, and that continued support, whether it is bullets for their gun, whether it is the M-16, whether it is the Humvee, or whether it is reinforcements, we are going to continue to provide the things that the generals on the ground say they need for their men and women to get the job done.

CONSTITUENT SERVICES

Change Your Clocks

Get ready to “Spring Forward” early this year. Daylight Savings Time was expanded by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58) beginning in 2007. This year clocks will move ahead on March 11 and clocks will not "fall back" until November 4. This four-week extension is expected to reduce America's dependence on foreign energy by the equivalent of 100,000 barrels of oil for each day of the extension. Studies indicate that the adopting Daylight Savings Time from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November will also lower crime and traffic fatalities and allow for more recreation time and increased economic activity.

“ARTISTIC DISCOVERY”
Congressional Art Competition

The contest is open to public, private and home schooled high school students residing in and/or attending schools located in the 26th Congressional District. Student artists will have their works judged by a professional art educator chosen by the Greater Denton Arts Council, the competition co-sponsor.

First prize in the competition is the display of the winning student’s artwork for an entire year in the U.S. Capitol complex. All the contest participants will be honored by Congressman Burgess at a recognition ceremony during a reception at the Center for Visual Arts in Denton, and the first place winner and honorable mentions will be announced. In addition, this year’s contest marks the inauguration of the “Congressman’s” and “Texas Choice” awards; Congressman Burgess will select one entry to be publicly displayed in his Lewisville District Office for one year. Reception attendees will vote on their favorite for the “Texas Choice” award, which will hang for one year in the Fort Worth District Office.

The submission deadline for artwork entries will be 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27th in Burgess’ Lewisville and Fort Worth offices. If you have any questions or to request an information packet, please contact Robin Vaughan in my Lewisville district office at (972) 434-9700 or robin.vaughan@mail.house.gov.

Are you interested in attending a U.S. Service Academy?

Requests for congressional nomination application packets are now being accepted.

For students interested in attending one of the academy classes entering in the summer of 2008 (Class of 2012), a congressional nomination is crucial, so high school juniors residing in the 26th District interested in seeking a nomination from Congressman Burgess should send a letter of interest to his Lewisville district office, which is located at 1660 South Stemmons Freeway, Suite 230, Lewisville, Texas 75067. The request must be received by September 28, 2007.

Nominees are chosen based on personal merit. The criteria include evidence of character, leadership, academic excellence, physical aptitude, and extracurricular activities. An applicant must be a U.S. citizen and a legal resident of the Twenty-Sixth Congressional District, between 17 and 23 years of age by July 1 in the year of admission and unmarried with no dependents.

Please be sure to contact the service academy of your preference directly to establish a pre-candidate file. Candidates are evaluated for admission on the basis of academic performance (high school record and SAT or ACT scores), demonstrated leadership potential, physical aptitude, and medical qualification.

U.S. Military Academy (Army)

(800) 822-2769

www.usma.edu

U.S. Naval Academy

(800) 822-2769

www.usna.edu

U.S. Air Force Academy

(800) 443-9266

www.usafa.edu

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

(800) 732-6267

www.usmma.edu

U.S. Coast Guard Academy

(203) 444-8501

www.uscga.edu

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