Dear Friends:

Thank you for reading the Lugar Letter.  I continue to closely follow efforts to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and recently introduced legislation that would establish cooperation between the United States and Brazil for energy security in the Western Hemisphere, biofuels production, cellulosic ethanol research, and infrastructure improvements.  My bill offers a broad approach that follows the strategic partnership signed recently by President Bush and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. 

In March, I also celebrated the start of the 2007 Indy Racing League season with Senator Evan Bayh, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George and Team Ethanol Driver Jeff Simmons with a press conference on Capitol Hill.  All IndyCars now race on a 100 percent ethanol fuel, an important switch which demonstrates to Americans the credibility of ethanol as a high-performance fuel that displaces oil, is better for the environment and should be available at pumps across the country.  

In addition, I shared many high points with talented Hoosier students in the past month.  It was a delight to present ten college scholarships at our 24th annual Fund for Hoosier Excellence banquet in Indianapolis and to visit with the winners of our Farm Bureau Essay contest and their families in Washington, D.C.  These students already possess strong academic skills and the potential to offer leadership and service to our state. 

I am also proud to congratulate, again, our Hoosier delegates to the United States Senate Hispanic Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.  The Indiana delegation was the second largest to participate in the conference, a signal of the dedication of these talented leaders. 

Sincerely,

Richard G. Lugar United States Senator