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NEWS

Burgess on Disaster Declaration for Flooding

This has been a terrible tragedy with the loss of life and damage to property in North Texas, “Today’s disaster declaration is the rainbow after the flood. With this devastating flooding which caused loss of life and destruction of property, I mustered all of my resources at the federal level to help expedite disaster assistance.

“Since I began representing Gainesville and Cooke County back in 2005, I have been working diligently to secure funding for Pecan Creek. When I heard the report about downpours and flash flooding in North Texas, I immediately called and began working in tandem with the city, state and federal officials to coordinate response efforts.

“I spoke on various occasions with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Governor’s office, the Federal Emergency Management Administration and the White House. On Wednesday, June 27, I spoke directly with President Bush in the Oval Office concerning the situation and need for swift action.

“Although a horrific natural disaster, it is my hope that today’s disaster declaration will prompt the speedy appropriations of federal funding necessary to complete the Pecan Creek project thus insuring this catastrophe is never repeated.”

The following counties were included on the disaster declaration list from FEMA: Cooke, Coryell, Denton, Grayson, Lampasas, and Tarrant Counties

Gainesville Flooding - June 2007

Floor Statement on Embryonic Stem Cell  

Mr. Speaker, the speed of scientific investigation certainly exceeds that of the legislative process. Medical research, especially in the field of regenerative medicine, holds great promise. It’s our responsibility to strike an appropriate balance between that which is ethical and the promise that regenerative medicine holds

Science is resolving and providing answers to this ethical dilemma actually without the help of legislation from this Congress really thanks to the hard work of dedicated medical researchers.

Yesterday an article published in the scientific periodical Nature, several teams of researchers have been able to make stem cells from a mouse skin cell, a mouse fineo blast, with a very special technique they developed. So here we have a stem cell that was created from a skin cell without destroying an embryo. These researchers have already shown success with mice by reprogramming mature cells to act like stem cells. This field of cell signaling will be very important in the field of regenerative medicine in the decades to come. This is looking to see how the reprogrammed cells may limit the growth of tumors, identified when using embryonic stem cells from destroyed embryos.

The recent work of Dr. Anthony Atala, has found that stem cells derive from am any amniotic fluid has the same characteristics as that from embryos. Dr. Atala has been able to do this in mice. This is not from the embryos, but from the placenta, where there is less risk of a tumor developing. Because this is not from the embryos, there is no harm to the embryo.

In fact, Mr. Speaker, I am extremely disappointed that we brought this bill to the floor without a hearing in our committee. The science has moved tremendously. This is the same bill we had two years ago that we debated on this house floor. Not a single committee hearing, not a single consideration of how the science advanced in the past two years, that, Mr. Speaker is a shame. For that reason the bill should be defeated. Go back to the committee and regular order. I yield back.

Burgess Awards Byron Nelson Congressional Gold Medal
 to Peggy Nelson at U.S. Capitol Ceremony

With over a hundred individuals present, U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26) honored Byron Nelson by awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Peggy Nelson on behalf of her dearly departed Byron.

The event was held in the United States Capitol in the Sam Rayburn Room. Flanked by Rep. Burgess, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Minority Leader John Boehner, Senator John Cornyn and Nelson family friend and Salesmanship Club of Dallas member Jon Bradley, Mrs. Nelson was full of humility, grace and humor as she gratefully accepted this honor for her husband.

The formal program began with the U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Brass Quintet and the North Richland Hills Church of Christ Quartet, Byron and Peggy’s home church, singing the National Anthem. With additional praise and worship were individuals from EDS, the sponsors of the Byron Nelson Championship which has raised over $100,000 for underprivileged children for the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, and the PGA TOUR.

While each presented gave memories and tributes to Byron Nelson, words of such as “gentleman, compassionate, loving, giving, educating” were used to describe the life and very being of Byron Nelson.

Rep. Michael C. Burgess, Peggy Nelson, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison with the Congressional Gold Medal

Congressman Michael Burgess commented, “He was a philanthropist first and foremost. He devoted his life to the Lord, to his family and to helping others. Byron Nelson’s life is a model for a life well-lived.”

On Thursday, Peggy Nelson and her family were welcomes to the White House to formerly meet with President George W. Bush.

Since the American Revolution, Congress has taken part in a time honored tradition and has commissioned gold medals as the highest expression of national appreciation. Each medal represents and honors distinguished achievements and contributions to our country.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4902, the bill to award Byron Nelson with a Congressional Gold Medal on May 10, 2006. The U.S. Senate passed the companion bill on September 27, 2006. President George W. Bush signed the bill into law awarding Byron Nelson the Congressional Gold Medal (P.L. 109-357).

Bronze duplicates of the medal are available to purchase via the U.S. Mint's website.

Video via Dallas Morning News

Burgess Announces Service Academy Appointees

U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. is proud to announce that the following outstanding young people from the 26^th Congressional District have accepted appointments to one of our nation’s service academies.  Recently, at a coffee in Highland Village, Burgess presented appointees with a Special Certificate of Congressional Recognition and a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of their appointment.  "I was pleased to nominate incredible young men and women who will be the future leaders of our armed forces and America,” stated Congressman Burgess. “I am even more delighted and grateful that they have accepted this challenge to serve their country."

U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY:

Caitlin Beal, Keller

Mark Fryt, Flower Mound

Nolan Martin, Argyle

John Oswald, Lewisville

Augustin Paulo, Fort Worth

U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD: 

Katie Andrews, Denton

Hugo Spinoza, Hurst

U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO: 

Stephen Black, Flower Mound

Sean Harrison, Keller

Michael Hartzler, North Richland Hills

Jake Labhart, Whitesboro

William McAngus, Justin

Josh Pherigo, North Richland Hills

Reggie Rembert, Flower Mound

Darren Stowe, The Colony

Mark Weber, Flower Mound

Michael Yoo, Denton

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY: 

Michael Handley, Flower Mound

Andrew Pfarner, Keller

William Richey, Denton

Christian Smith, Flower Mound

CONSTITUENT SERVICES

Ever wonder what legislation Congressman Burgess has introduced?

Visit the Library of Congress’ THOMAS website for more information.  Under the “Browse Bills by Sponsor” portion of the website, select Rep. Michael C. Burgess.  It will immediately take you to a page displaying the bills and amendments he has personally introduced this 110^th Congress.  You can learn more about each individual bill by clicking on the bill number.

CONTACT THE CONGRESSMAN

“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 2007“Office Hours” dates and locations are below; please note the time is always 9:00 -11:00 a.m.  If a federal holiday occurs on a scheduled Monday date, “office hours” will be held the following day on Tuesday.

Summit and Fair on Energy Efficiency

Saturday, July 14, 2007

9:00am – 12noon (formal program at 9:30)

Gateway Center

University of North Texas

801 North Texas Blvd., Denton, TX

Special Guest: U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Clay Sell

Seminars Include:

Existing Home Energy Conservation

New Home Construction

Transportation

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