Capitol Comment Weekly Columns

As Americans welcome a new President and a new Congress, I’d like to ask you to share with me your opinions on the most important issues facing our nation and state at this critical juncture.

In a highly competitive global economy, the skills of the next generation of Americans will be the prime engine for our country’s economic growth. Yet compared with children in other nations, U.S. students are underperforming in the vitally important fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). In 2005, the National Academies released an eye-opening report called “Rising Above the Gathering Storm,” which identified alarming trends in America’s STEM education. Their conclusion was clear: if we want to remain the undisputed leader of the global economy, we need to improve our STEM abilities, and we need to do it urgently.

This holiday season, Texans are observing cherished traditions and creating new memories. Friends and neighbors are gathering for parties, families are preparing to host relatives or travel to see distant loved ones, and children are brimming with anticipation of presents to come. This time of year also brings a bright array of regional customs and celebrations that are unique to Texas.

This fall, our financial crisis reached a flashpoint that threatened the sustainability of our credit markets and the economic security of every American family and business. On October 1, after two weeks of bipartisan, bicameral negotiations, the Senate took the unprecedented step of passing legislation intended to stabilize our imperiled economy and shore up our credit markets. While some opposed the rescue, I heard from many small business owners that they were unable to get credit for payroll and inventory purchases. The frozen credit market threatened Americans’ ability to get car loans, mortgages, or financial aid for school. I believed it was responsible to infuse the financial markets with liquidity to avoid further crises, so I helped shape the legislation with a priority of keeping people in their homes and jobs and protecting the taxpayer (the interest paid on the loans and warrants would reduce national debt). As I travel through Texas, I have been very disappointed to see that more credit is not flowing through our markets. I am frustrated at the mismanagement of the relief funding and at the constant fluctuation of the Treasury Department’s strategy. Many of my Senate colleagues have expressed the same view.

On November 26, the world’s largest democracy, India, fell victim to the senseless horrors of terrorism. Armed terrorists descended on Mumbai, a tourist hotspot and a hub of the Indian economy, with the goal of destroying innocent human life and crippling the nation’s economy. Focusing on “soft targets,” including luxury hotels, a popular café, transit stations, a Jewish cultural center, and even a hospital, the aggressors targeted Westerners and held siege over the city, brutally murdering nearly 200 innocent people, including six Americans. The attacks in India must remind us that terrorism has not been eradicated. And Islamic extremists’ disdain for liberty and democracy continues to motivate them to destroy those who cherish freedom.

President Kennedy once observed: “In a crisis, be aware of the danger, but recognize the opportunity." Today, America’s credit crisis is roiling Wall Street and pushing the economy into a recession. However, one of the few benefits of the economic slowdown is the decrease of energy prices caused by a decline in global demand. The cost of a barrel of oil has fallen almost 70 percent in just four months. While some politicians are ready to take the energy issue off the table, we should use this short-term drop in costs to renew our commitment to a long-term energy solution. If we take the necessary measures to increase domestic energy production today, it will strengthen America’s economy and national security tomorrow.

Parents often casually remark that today’s children grow up too quickly. In one particularly alarming sense, that sentiment is true. A generation of children whose health has been threatened by sedentary behavior and poor eating habits now face some of the deadly health risks once limited to adults, such as type 2 diabetes. Without serious lifestyle changes, these children could struggle with significant, lifelong health challenges, including heart disease, hypertension, high blood pressure, and kidney disease.

As we celebrated Veterans Day, we remembered that generations of courageous men and women served in our armed forces to ensure we remain a land of opportunity. Since the earliest days of our nation, whenever freedom was threatened, our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have risen to its defense. On battlefields in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and other parts of the world they heeded the call to service.

With the election of our first African-American President, Barack Obama, the United States has achieved a significant historical milestone and reaffirmed the American ideal that any individual, whatever his or her background, can ascend to the highest office in our land. That fact alone is cause for great national pride, regardless of anyone’s party affiliation.

The Internet has revolutionized the way we communicate, learn, and conduct business in the 21st century. Although these advancements have significantly benefited our society, they are also accompanied by a host of dangers that pose the greatest threat to our nation’s children. The Internet can be a hunting ground for sexual predators seeking minors to exploit. It has also become a marketplace for pornography – 20 percent of which, disturbingly, involves children. Furthermore, when children and teens go online, odds are they will be exposed to sexual material. A London School of Economics study found that nine in 10 children under age 16 have unintentionally accessed sexually-oriented websites, often in the process of doing homework or by entering a seemingly innocent term into an Internet search engine.

In just a few short days, the historic 2008 Presidential campaign will reach its conclusion as Americans cast their ballots to help elect the next Commander-in-Chief. This is one of the most consequential elections in a generation. Our nation is at a critical turning point on many issues that will directly impact every American citizen. Yet, voting is a right that too many in our nation take for granted.

In his first inaugural address, President Ronald Reagan said, “Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon adversaries in today's world do not have.” Though spoken at the height of the Cold War, these words resonate today as our country wages a Global War on Terror against enemies who despise the liberties we hold dear.

Thomas Jefferson once said, “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” Unfortunately, in the U.S. Congress, the business of the day is too often left unfinished. Throughout 2008, progress in the Senate was hindered by partisanship and counterproductive procedural moves to stall legislation. As a result, during the brief working session this fall, the Senate had a lengthy to-do list. While we were able to successfully complete business on a few important measures, much remains for us to address in the next Congress.

As our nation celebrates the 50th Anniversary of NASA, we face enormous challenges to our international leadership in space exploration, including a potential 5 year gap in American manned spaceflight. America must renew its commitment to NASA and technology innovation so that we do not relinquish our leadership role in space.

Each year, millions of Americans climb aboard buses, expecting safe trips across their communities or states. The vast majority of these bus passengers arrive safe and sound at their destination. But this is not always the case because, whether due to mechanical malfunction or driver error, bus accidents do occur and many of them result in preventable tragedy.

While many Texans spent the weekend hunkered down in shelters as Hurricane Ike swept over the Gulf Coast, U.S. financial leaders huddled in New York to contemplate another storm: the intensifying financial crisis.

Over the month of August, I was privileged to travel throughout Texas to hear directly from citizens about the issues that affect them and their families. Texans shared with me their concerns about rising gas prices, and the need to keep taxes low so they have more money to pay their bills.

When reports indicated that Hurricane Gustav was gaining strength and headed straight for the Gulf Coast, federal, state and local officials sprung to action to alert the public to the threat. Just three years ago the preparation was markedly different. We will never forget the devastation Hurricanes Rita and Katrina wrought, and from top to bottom, we have worked to respond more effectively to natural disasters.

Texas boasts 28 seaports, dispersed along our Gulf Coast from Houston and Galveston down to Brownsville, including three of the busiest ports in the United States. Our state’s economy depends on the viability of our port system, which serves as a gateway to markets around the world. To bolster our prosperity, we must ensure that Texas’ ports remain secure, competitive, and operationally sound.

I recently embarked on a 600 mile bus tour along the magnificent Gulf Coast of Texas, stopping to meet with many hundreds of constituents, over 75 elected officials – both Republican and Democratic – and scores of local leaders in 16 communities. This region is blessed with great treasures, including abundant energy sources, a pristine environment, and sites commemorating our state’s rich heritage. Over the course of my journey, I was privileged to see many of these places and meet the Texans who help make this part of our state so unique and prosperous.

In the coming weeks, nearly five million public school students in Texas will head back to school and embark on another year of growth and opportunity. Unfortunately, many others will choose to discontinue their education before earning a diploma. Every year, 1 in 3 Texas students leave before graduating from high school, limiting their ability to prosper in tomorrow’s workforce. According to the nonprofit group, Texas Kids Count, high school dropouts forfeit a combined total of $900 million in wages every year. Additionally, this dropout epidemic has created $730 billion in costs and lost revenue to Texas during the past two decades.

Soaring energy costs are taxing our economy and leaving us dangerously dependent on foreign energy sources. The U.S. Department of Energy projects that our need for electricity will increase 25 percent by 2030. While global demand increases, worldwide energy supply remains fairly stagnant, unnecessarily restrained by government regulations and prohibitions. In order to reduce the cost of fuel and power and ensure we can meet energy demands into the future, we must increase domestic supply and expand our portfolio of energy options. Now is the time to make nuclear power a greater part of America’s energy solution.

In fewer than 200 days, the Digital Television (DTV) transition will affect every television-watching household in the country. The DTV transition will dramatically enhance the clarity of television broadcasts and allow for new and diverse television programming. Most importantly, it will free up the frequencies on which data is transmitted to the public, otherwise known as the broadcast spectrum, for important safety activities that will increase the nation’s ability to respond to terrorist attacks and national disasters.

The average Texas family now spends around $100 to fill up its truck or SUV, so imagine the financial burden confronting our nation’s air carriers, as they struggle to fuel their fleets amid soaring energy costs – a 737 aircraft burns more than 885 gallons of jet fuel per hour at cruising altitude. If fuel costs continue to climb – and without enactment of a balanced energy policy that includes domestic production, they will – the capacity usage of our domestic air carriers will diminish further, and affordable air travel will become a luxury of the past.

The housing crisis is eroding the confidence of our nation’s homeowners, financial institutions, and investors at an accelerating rate. Americans are growing anxious that the equity they’ve paid into their homes may not provide the financial security that home ownership once guaranteed. Worst of all, nearly 1.9 million borrowers across the nation – more than 50,000 of them in Texas – who have filed for foreclosure on their homes this year live with diminished hope that their own symbol of the American dream will be realized.

In 1944 the Congress passed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, better known as the GI Bill of Rights, which rewarded World War II veterans with higher education benefits paid for by the federal government. As a result some 7.8 million returning veterans were afforded the chance to complete their education and prepare for the future – at four-year colleges, vocational schools or agricultural training programs.

Summer in Texas is now in full bloom. Unfortunately, many children will spend their free time not on swings at playgrounds but in front of televisions at home, consuming hours of programming full of advertisements for unhealthy foods. Others will spend time on the Internet instead of playing outside with their friends. This lack of physical activity among our youth is contributing to an American healthcare crisis: childhood obesity. We must work together to reduce the harmful influence that inactivity can have on our kids, and promote healthy living that is vital to their long-term well-being.

On July 3, 1776, the day after the Continental Congress unanimously voted for the Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote this to his wife, Abigail: “You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory.”

The federal Highway Trust Fund, which is the largest single source of funding for Texas’ 79,000 miles of roads, is on the brink of insolvency. Unless Congress takes action, there will be a 34 percent cut in U.S. highway and bridge investment, which will cause our transportation infrastructure to deteriorate and our economy to suffer. I am working in bipartisan cooperation with other members of the Texas Congressional delegation to prevent this from happening.

President Reagan said, "There are no easy answers, but there are simple ones." This principle applies to America's energy woes. Since January 2007, the price of a gallon of gasoline has soared from $2.33 per gallon to a record $4.04. Over the next two decades, global demand for oil is expected to rise by 50 percent. Further price escalation is inevitable. When confronted by these facts, the energy solution is simple. We need more energy! We should be increasing our production of oil, natural gas, clean coal, and nuclear power – and those resources should come from America, instead of foreign dictatorships.

The long summer days ahead will bring more than bike rides and trips to the neighborhood swimming pool for today’s technology-savvy kids. Many children and teenagers will fill idle time surfing the Internet and logging on to social networking sites to stay connected to their friends.

President Abraham Lincoln best described our enduring commitment to soldiers when, on behalf of a grateful nation, he promised “to care for him who shall have borne the battle.”

As violence associated with narcotrafficking and Mexico’s warring drug cartels escalates in Mexico, we must cooperatively work with our southern neighbor to prevent it from spilling over the border and into the U.S.

In 2008, it is projected that 1.43 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer. Nearly 96,000 Texans will receive this sobering news. And 35,000 Texas patients will lose their battle against cancer this year.

The Pulitzer-Prize winning author of The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power, Daniel Yergin, has summed up what many of us are thinking: “We are living in a new age of energy anxiety.”

The Nobel-Prize winning economist Milton Friedman once said, “One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.” When Congress passed legislation to greatly expand America’s commitment to biofuels, it intended to create energy independence and protect the environment. But the results have been quite different. America remains equally dependent on foreign sources of energy and new evidence suggests ethanol is causing great harm to the environment. In recent weeks, the correlation between government biofuel mandates and rapidly rising food prices has become undeniable. At a time when the U.S. economy is facing recession, Congress needs to reform its “food-to-fuel” policies and look at alternatives to strengthen energy security.

President Ronald Reagan once observed, “The way to prosperity for all nations is rejecting protectionist legislation and promoting fair and free competition."

On Tuesday, I met with the Presidents of some of America’s most prestigious universities to discuss ways to improve our nation’s global competitiveness. There is a growing consensus that America’s future prosperity is threatened by an erosion in our educational capabilities. Compared to children in other countries, our nation’s students are underperforming in the vitally important fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). These are the areas of expertise that spur creativity and new technologies, which are essential for economic growth. In fact, as much as 85% of the measured growth in per capita income is due to technological advancement.

Falling home prices can be unnerving to all homeowners, even those whose mortgages are not in danger of foreclosure. The fact is that most borrowers have made responsible investments and make their house payments on time, but falling home prices are bringing down asset values, and with it, the overall economy.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman once observed that “Congress can raise taxes because it can persuade a sizable fraction of the populace that somebody else will pay.”

This month Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez opened the next phase of his dangerous political career by nearly provoking a war with Colombia. In the aftermath of his military threats, the Colombian government learned disturbing information about the relationship between Mr. Chavez and the terrorist group FARC — the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

As the U.S. economy slows, and perhaps even retracts, many American families are taking a hard look at their budgets and making choices about how they’ll spend their income. Likewise, Congress is now deciding the nation’s spending priorities in the budget for the next fiscal year. The federal budget directly affects all Americans, either offering solutions to the challenges we face or creating new burdens for future generations. On March 14, the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution which provides resources to keep our nation safe and improves America’s ability to compete in a global market. Unfortunately, the budget also contains an historic tax hike that will burden American families and constrain our economic future.

The right to keep and bear arms is secure in Texas, but in our nation's capital it has been taken away.

There is no greater symbol of the American Dream than home ownership. In a country that prizes freedom and economic independence, Americans’ homes are a lifelong investment and, for many, their primary asset. However, in recent months, a decline in the U.S. housing market has threatened the financial security of many Americans and has placed the nation’s economy at risk. As lawmakers scramble for a fix, it is preferable that solutions be guided by free market principles, rather than sweeping government intervention or taxpayer-financed bailouts.

Last week, I traveled to Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to evaluate the War on Terror, discuss diplomatic strategies with foreign leaders, and visit our brave troops. Undeniably, we are making dramatic progress in all those countries.

The American health care system provides the best quality health care in the world to a majority of our citizens; however, there is a growing disparity in access to health care because of soaring medical costs and rising insurance premiums. This is particularly true in Texas.

On Thursday, February 7, an AMBER Alert message flashed across TVs all over Texas, as the Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcast information on a 5-year old Austin boy who had been just been abducted. Thanks to the swift action of authorities and implementation of the AMBER Alert system, the boy was safely recovered thirteen hours later and returned to his family. For more than 40 years, variations of the EAS have worked in concert with radio and television broadcasters, cable companies, and satellite providers to inform the public of emergencies. Today, it warns citizens about severe weather hazards, helps mobilize communities to search for and recover kidnapped children, and enables the government to immediately address the nation in the event of a national emergency.

As the first wave of wildfires of 2008 ignited across our state last month, many Texans were once again reminded of the frequency with which natural disasters strike our terrain. All over Texas, our citizens have endured floods, droughts, severe storms, and wildfires. You’d be hard-pressed to find a Texan who doesn’t know what a tornado sky looks like. And those living along the Gulf Coast are all too familiar with the destruction that a hurricane can leave in its path. But with each disaster, Texans show true grit and tenacity, and we weather the storm. We always recover.

In Texas, we are known for bragging, “Bigger is better.” From our pick-up trucks, to our linebackers, and to our cuts of beef, our state holds a premium on size. Health, however, is where this trend stops. More and more, we are faced with the reality that excess weight can take a heavy toll on a person’s health, leading to debilitating and often deadly illnesses, such as diabetes. With obesity on the rise, healthcare costs skyrocketing, and the wellness of our children at stake, diabetes is one of the major problems we face.

The Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman once said, “Nobody spends somebody else’s money as carefully as he spends his own.” At a time when economic indicators are signaling a slowdown, or possibly even a recession, we need to allow taxpayers to keep more of their income, rather than sending their hard-earned money to Washington to be spent by the government.

Just over 100 years ago, the Wright Brothers helped usher in the age of modern aviation as we know it. Since then, commercial aviation has allowed us to live in a more connected world. One of the great innovators and “connectors” of our time, Bill Gates, noted, “The Wright Brothers created the single greatest cultural force since the invention of writing. The airplane became the first World Wide Web, bringing people, languages, ideas, and values together.”

As Albert Einstein once said, “Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.” This is why our country has for centuries attracted the greatest minds in the world. The free, creative spirit of Texas has always been conducive to scientific research and innovation. During the past few decades, our state has been home to the invention of the computer chip, the buckyball (which is the basis of nanotechnology), and the balloon stent that opens arteries to prevent heart attacks.

As the New Year begins, the U.S. Census Bureau projected that our nation’s population has soared to 303.1 million, up 2.8 million from its estimate in early 2007. From July 2006 to July 2007, Texas gained almost 500,000 new residents.

On December 11, 2007, Director of National Intelligence, Admiral Mike McConnell made an arresting plea in the editorial pages of the New York Times: “Help Me Spy on Al-Qaeda.” In an urgent op-ed, he implored Congress to provide the resources America’s intelligence officials need to safeguard our country against terrorism.

Nearly a year ago, when I was sworn into Congress for my third term as U.S. Senator, I knew that 2007 would be a challenging year for passing positive legislation for Texas, and America. The shift in Congressional leadership meant that my goals for strengthening our country, both in terms of domestic policy and foreign policy, would face greater obstacles than ever. However, through perseverance and dedication, we were able to surmount many of these hurdles. We prevented tax increases, supported our military through funding, and achieved important victories for our families, our communities, and especially our brave service men and women overseas.

Pioneering free market economist Adam Smith once said, “The answer to the question of free trade is easy once it is seen that the only reason that has ever been offered for protective tariffs or a closed market is, indeed, protection.”

There are only a few events in American history whose significance is so powerful that hearing the date instantly recalls its dramatic impact on our nation. For Americans of different generations, December 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001 represent tragic and historic dates in our history. In the words of President Franklin Roosevelt, December 7, 1941 is “a date that will live in infamy.” Sixty-six years later, we honor not only the 2,333 brave service members who lost their lives in the sudden attack on Pearl Harbor, but the 11 million Americans who fought and won the Second World War, and secured freedom for future generations.

Albert Einstein once remarked, “The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.” Since Einstein’s admission, our tax code has only grown more complicated and now it is poised to force 20 million middle class Americans to pay an extra $65 billion in taxes over the next four years. And if the tax cuts of 2003 expire, a staggering 115 million taxpayers will be hit with a $1700 tax increase. One of the most pressing domestic priorities facing this extended Congress is passing legislation to address the alternative minimum tax (AMT) that will slap millions of Americans – including 732,000 Texas families – with new taxes.

"The major obstacle to the development of new supplies is not geology but what happens above ground: international affairs, politics, investment and technology." —Daniel Yergin, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power."

Long before serving as one of this nation’s greatest Presidents, Ronald Reagan quipped that he has “always thought of America as a place in the divine scheme of things that was set aside as a promised land.” Truly, we live in a nation of great prosperity. But perhaps what is more important, we live in a nation where we may exercise free will, speak without censorship, and worship in the way we choose. The Thanksgiving holiday allows us to reflect on these American liberties that have been defended with enormous sacrifice throughout our country’s history.

On November 11, 1918, after four years of brutal conflict, the guns of the First World War finally fell silent. In America, we marked the occasion as Armistice Day, a celebration of peace that envisioned an end to all wars. Sadly, this vision was a mirage. Future generations of Americans would again march to battle in defense of freedom, and many made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. Thankfully, many more returned home to their loved ones and a grateful nation. Today we remember November 11 as Veterans Day, and with solemn pride we pay tribute to the heroes who have given so much to preserve our liberty and our way of life.

America’s heritage is as a nation of farmers, and agriculture remains essential to our prosperity. In Texas, we know this first hand. Our state leads the country in many areas of production, and agricultural revenue bolsters our economy by more than $19 billion annually. Approximately 80 percent of our land is involved in some kind of agricultural production, and more than 90 percent of those operations are run by families. As your U.S. Senator, I have worked hard to ensure that federal legislation meets the needs of our farmers and ranchers. In the coming weeks the Senate will consider reauthorization of many vital agricultural programs, and I will work with my colleagues to maintain the policies that have been good for Texas.

President Ronald Reagan once defined a taxpayer as “someone who works for the government but doesn’t have to take the civil service exam.” Sadly, there’s some truth to his statement. The average American works from the beginning of the year until April 30th just to pay his tax bill. The rest of the year, he works for himself. As prices rise on everything from food products to gasoline to health care, families should be allowed to keep more of their hard-earned income. But Congress may be about to burden American families with thousands of dollars in new taxes.

Protecting American lives is my most important duty as your Senator. This is an era in which violent extremists seek to do us harm. They strive to recreate the horrors of September 11th, and they attack our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan daily. We have many tools to help our intelligence community foil terrorist plots overseas and on our soil. But some members of Congress advocate measures that would take away crucial intelligence assets, and cripple our counter-terrorism efforts worldwide. We must be equipped to intercept calls between terrorists in order to prevent attacks they plan.

The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates considered medicine, “the most distinguished of all the arts.” Indeed, medical research is one of science’s most exciting fields. Each new breakthrough saves lives, improves health and leads to a higher quality of life for Americans. I am proud that Texas is at the forefront of scientific progress in many areas, and is a world leader in medical research.

On Oct. 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik satellite, setting off alarm bells that America was falling behind in space technology. But America's ingenuity was dramatically mobilized by President Eisenhower, under whose administration Congress passed the National Defense Education Act, providing massive investments in science, engineering and technology.

For generations, Texans have taken great pride in our energy resources. Oil and gas production has fueled our state’s growth and success. Yet, even in the 21st century, almost 75 percent of our electrical power is produced by burning the same fossil fuels our grandparents relied on. As alternative energy sources become more practical, we must expand our traditional leadership into these areas as well. By broadening our energy portfolio, we will strengthen our economy, safeguard our environment, and reduce our dangerous national dependence on foreign oil.

Our mission in Iraq is among the most important in our nation’s history. As the central front in the Global War on Terror, Iraq is where the forces of freedom, tolerance and democracy are fighting to defeat the tyranny and oppression of Al-Qaeda and radical Islam. We know from our troops in the field that if we allow the terrorists to win in Iraq, they will surely follow us home. This war has been costly for America in both lives and dollars, but the consequences of failure would be catastrophic.

Since it was founded in 1958, America’s space program has been enormously successful. In addition to broadening our understanding of the universe, the research that has gone into the program has spurred innovations that have greatly improved our lives from car phones to heart monitors, from ultrasound scanners to laser surgery. Recently, NASA has begun implementing my plan to use the U.S. segment of the International Space Station (ISS) as a National Laboratory, which means that even more exciting breakthroughs can be expected in the next few years.

This week I returned to Washington from a busy August recess. Although I greatly enjoyed spending time with my fellow Texans over the last month, much remains to be done before the close of the 2007 Congressional session. This is a crucial time in American history, and major issues affecting our national and economic security demand action. Despite a challenging environment in the U.S. Senate, I am resolved to support legislation that is right for Texas and the nation.

Like moms and dads all across Texas, I spend time each fall shopping for school supplies and filling backpacks with crayons, safety scissors and number two pencils. As parents we do our best to prepare our children for the year ahead and to help them succeed in school. But, this success depends on quality education.

Meeting the people who help make Texas so special is the greatest privilege of serving as your Senator. I particularly treasure the opportunities I have to speak with our veterans and active duty personnel and thank them personally for their tremendous service to our country. This month, I’ve traveled all across Texas and met some of the brave men and women who answered the call to defend our freedom and way of life.

Nearly every day, we read a newspaper story or see a TV report about child predators who go online in search of young prey. The social networking site, MySpace, recently took down the profiles of more than 29,000 sex offenders who had registered on their site. According to a new study, 1 in 5 children receive a sexual solicitation within the first year they use the Internet.

There are few things more frustrating than being stuck in traffic. But, every day at rush hour, we are reminded of the strain that Texas’ growing population puts on our roads and highways. Severe congestion can turn major arteries into virtual parking lots. Even rural and suburban Texans are affected as urban areas expand outward. Last week, I had the opportunity to discuss these issues with local, state and federal leaders at the Texas Transportation Summit in Irving. I am confident that by working together, we can develop comprehensive solutions to our transportation challenges.

The American statesman Daniel Webster rightly considered farmers the “founders of civilization,” and nowhere is this more true than in Texas. Our earliest pioneers came here to settle and work the land, and their resolve helped our state to grow and prosper. The family farmers and ranchers of today carry on this spirit, and remain vital to our economic success and unique culture. One in every seven Texans is employed in agriculture, and family farms and ranches contribute billions of dollars annually to our state economy. Texas is also home to more farms and ranches than any other state, and has the country’s second highest annual revenue from agriculture. Upon return from August recess, the U.S. Senate will debate a new farm bill, and in its consideration I will continue to work for our family farmers and ranchers who uphold Texas’ legacy of leadership in agriculture.

Abraham Lincoln best described our everlasting commitment to our soldiers when, on behalf of a grateful nation, he pledged, “to care for him who shall have borne the battle.” Today, caring for the health of those who have fought to defend freedom continues to be one of the federal government’s most enduring responsibilities.

Imagine sitting around the kitchen table with your spouse, planning for a well-deserved retirement, only to learn that your monthly Social Security benefits will be hundreds of dollars less than expected. Unfortunately, this nightmare is experienced by many of our state’s teachers, police officers, firefighters and other public servants due to a bureaucratic rule that causes Social Security to report erroneous projected benefits and arbitrarily reduce their benefits. To prevent this, I have introduced legislation that protects the retirement savings of our hardest working public servants and ensures that they are not caught off guard by unfair regulations.

Sam Houston once said, “Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may.” The recent floods in north and central Texas are a tragic reminder of the devastating impact natural disasters have on our families, businesses and communities. In recent years, our state has weathered hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, droughts and wildfires in unusual frequency and severity. However, when disaster strikes, we rise to the challenge and recover. As your senator, I am committed to helping Texans in every possible way.

Border security and illegal immigration are two of the most important issues facing Texas today. For several years, I have worked to help craft a bill that would secure our borders, create a temporary guest worker program and handle, without amnesty, the 12 million people who are here illegally. On Thursday, the Senate voted against a flawed immigration bill that fell far short of this goal.

Each Fourth of July, we gather to celebrate our nation’s independence with fireworks, street parades, backyard barbeques and other familiar rituals that mark a summer in full swing. But this uniquely American holiday commemorates not only the anniversary of our nation—it celebrates America’s bedrock principle of freedom and honors our steadfast legacy of liberty.

High energy costs have a tremendously adverse impact on our economy and our daily lives. Studies have shown that each time oil prices rise by 10 percent, the negative effect on our national economy results in the loss of 150,000 American jobs. In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that by 2030, the United States will consume 28 percent more oil than we do today. Unfortunately, the U.S. Senate recently missed an opportunity to confront our growing dependence on foreign oil by passing an energy bill which does nothing to ease high gas prices or increase our energy supply.

Rapidly rising health care costs are an enormous burden on families, individuals and businesses. Nationwide health spending rose almost 80 percent between 1997 and 2005, and is projected to reach $4 trillion by 2015. As chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, I recently invited academics, business leaders and my fellow senators to a roundtable discussion to examine the challenges facing our health care system. We all agreed that to address our health care crisis and reduce costs, consumers must have the freedom and ability to make informed choices.

As Texans prepare for family trips and summer vacations, many are having difficulty getting the passports they need to travel. Under new federal requirements, more Americans will need passports to re-enter the United States after traveling overseas. Therefore, it is important to know if you will need a passport for your trip, to be familiar with the application process and to make your arrangements well in advance.

You may know someone, perhaps a loved one, whose life was cut short by cancer. Each year in Texas, an estimated 35,000 people die of this devastating disease, and 85,000 new cases are diagnosed. These are heart-breaking statistics. However, it is also likely that you know people who have won their battle with cancer. Early diagnosis and better public awareness have increased cancer survival rates in recent years.

As your U.S. Senators, we have been heavily involved in the Congressional debate on immigration reform for several years. We have taken a leadership role on this issue because we represent a state that uniquely benefits from the contributions of legal immigrants, but is also uniquely vulnerable to the dangers of illegal immigration. Throughout this process, our principles have been clear and consistent: We must secure our borders, and we cannot encourage illegal behavior through amnesty.

Tom Brokaw’s book “The Greatest Generation,” reminded us of the sacrifices that so many Americans have made to keep our country safe and free. On Memorial Day, we honor the servicemembers who fought for our nation, and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.

As the price of gasoline hits an all-time high, many Americans are worrying that they cannot afford a family vacation this summer. Families, individuals and businesses all feel the pinch at the pump. Some of my colleagues in Congress are eager to blame our nation’s energy suppliers, but raising taxes on the profits of energy companies will not lower prices. A comprehensive, long-term and bipartisan solution is needed to ensure a safe and reliable energy supply and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Our national and economic security depend upon it.

Fidel Castro’s political inspiration, the philosopher Karl Marx, was right about very few things, but he was correct when he observed: “History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.” It’s a farce that Castro’s successor as leader of the Latin American socialist movement, the Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, seems poised to repeat all of Castro’s mistakes – which is bad news for the people of Venezuela, and also for the people of the United States.

Rising powers like China and India are threatening America’s economic prominence, and we must refocus our efforts to address this threat head-on.

Since it was launched in January 2006, Medicare Part D has exceeded even the most optimistic expectations in providing affordable prescription drugs to America’s seniors. Yet some in Congress have threatened to undermine this program by replacing free market competition with government intervention.

It is tax time again. President Ronald Reagan fittingly described the taxpayer as “someone who works for the federal government but doesn’t have to take the civil service examination.” Some people have also noticed that when you combine the words “THE” and “IRS,” it spells “THEIRS.” I have always supported a limited role of government and worked to ensure that more of what you earn remains “YOURS.”

On April 7, 1927, a short speech given by then-Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover was sent from Washington to New York as part of the first successful long distance television transmission. Headlines in newspapers the next day beamed, “Television Now Reality,” and a new era of American history was born. Eighty years later, we are embracing a new technology that will significantly improve television resolution and quality while also offering many new services.

In this high-stakes war on terror, the U.S. is continually compromised by our dependence on oil from the Middle East and other hostile parts of the world. To strengthen our national security and solidify our global economic leadership, we must unite behind a plan for energy independence.

As the U.S. Senate expends considerable time debating resolutions about our mission in Iraq, I am reminded of what Thomas Jefferson said regarding a nation’s commitment: “Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.”

When President Bush leaves tomorrow on a five-nation tour of Latin America, he will be entering a region that has become more important to our national security than at any point since the Cold War. Not too long ago, Latin America was a vital front in the fight against communism, and if recent events are any guide, it could become equally important in the war on terror.

America and its allies have fought valiantly for four years to establish a stable democracy among Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds in Iraq. It has proven to be a task not achievable in a short period. President Bush and the American people realize that a new approach is necessary. As the president's plan is implemented, I believe it is important to look beyond the immediate goal of stopping the violence. Thinking about the next step is not premature – it is essential.

Football has long been the essential sport for Texans. It has even been said that there are only two sports in Texas – football and spring football. Though football remains as popular today as ever, our state has also developed into a basketball hotbed. Some of the best basketball in America is played in the Lone Star State, and this month Texans will experience March Madness.

The story of the Battle of the Alamo is known throughout Texas and is part of American lore. The bravery exhibited by the 189 courageous soldiers who fought there is an unforgettable part of our state’s history, and thousands of visitors from around the world travel to the site each year in appreciation of this historic stand.

Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bonds.”

Texas has a strong allure that has attracted people to our state since its earliest days. When David Crockett arrived from Tennessee in 1836 to fight in the Texas Revolution, he famously said, “I must say as to what I have seen of Texas it is the garden spot of the world. The best land and the best prospects for health I ever saw, and I do believe it is a fortune to any man to come here. There is a world of country here to settle.”

During a recent speech in New York City, President Bush brought much-needed attention to the issue of income inequality in America. For the past 25 years, the distribution of income has become more disproportionate, and the reason is clear. While we have an economy that increasingly rewards education, too many young Americans have not been able to seize available educational opportunities.

During the State of the Union address, President Bush articulated his vision to extend our prosperity and faithfully protect our security. As the 110th Congress moves forward, I will remind my colleagues in the Senate that we all share the desire to leave a prosperous America for future generations.

This month President Bush signed into law the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act. Included in this legislation is a “Freedom to Fish” provision that I wrote to protect Texas anglers. Without my language, recreational anglers would have been penalized by restrictions intended to affect only commercial fishing. I support efforts to protect our environment in a sensible fashion and in a manner that does not deny Texans opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.

Over 60 years ago, the United Nations was chartered to advance human rights, promote justice, rule of law, and freedom, and save future generations from suffering the scourge of war. It requires all member nations to share the costs. The U.N. has grown from its original 51 members to 192 today, and it remains a central forum for international cooperation and communication. The U.N. can also play a valuable role in peacekeeping missions.

Texans embrace competition, and the desire to be the best has made our state a national leader. Texas scientists share this spirit, and in recent years our brightest minds have embraced collaboration to advance our state and national interests. By combining their efforts, they have accelerated the pace of innovation in the Lone Star State.