Washington, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Charles W. Boustany, Jr. (R-LA) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) made a friendly wager on the outcome of Sunday’s NFC Championship game between the New Orleans Saints and the Chicago Bears.  The payment of the bet will be a day of community service: a Saints victory means a trip for Rep. Kirk to Southwest Louisiana to volunteer with Job Corps and Habitat for Humanity in their efforts to build homes in the wake of Hurricane Rita, while a Bears victory brings Rep. Boustany to Lake County, IL, to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

“Hopefully my colleague from Chicago has already purchased his ticket to Southwest Louisiana because come Sunday, a new ‘Brees’ is going to be blowing in the Windy City,” Boustany said.  “Not even the Bears’ defense will be able to stop the combination of our all-pro quarterback, along with the driving force of Deuce McAllister.”

“My friend Mark Kirk is going to witness the great spirit of the people of Southwest Louisiana, and I look forward to hosting him,” Boustany added.

Rep. Kirk had a different perspective on the NFC Championship game…

“Unfortunately for Dr. Boustany, the Saints’ admirable season will come to an end at Soldier Field,” Kirk said.  “Fortunately for us, we will celebrate the Bears’ victory together by building a new home in Lake County.”

Habitat for Humanity Lake County is an affiliate of Habitat International, a nonprofit, housing organization with the mission to build simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those who lack adequate shelter.

“I advise Dr. Boustany to learn some lessons on teamwork from the Bears dominating defense that he can apply to our day of home construction.”