As printed in the Austin-American Statesman

(Washington D.C.)- I hope you and your family are doing well, and that you are as excited about 2006 as I am. 2005 brought many unexpected issues to our attention and despite hurricanes, tsunamis and other crisis, the United States House of Representatives had a successful year focusing on the issues which remain vital to our nation and mean most to the people of the Tenth Congressional District of Texas. The U.S. Congress wanted to accomplish important things that were needed to keep America secure and on the road to growing our economy, and that’s exactly what we did in 2005 and will continue to do so this year.

It has been, and continues to be, the highest honor to represent you in the United States House of Representatives. As many of you know, I was recently appointed to serve as Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Investigations, and was elected to serve as Freshman Class Representative to the House Leadership, which gives you an even stronger voice in Washington. I spent a lot of time in the district this past year and heard from many of you about your needs, cares and thoughts on where our nation is and the direction it needs to go. I brought your voice to Washington and made it heard as I voted.

At the beginning of 2005, I reported to you many of the issues the United States House of Representatives would be addressing during the year. Some of the important issues Congress addressed were: border security, fighting the war on terror, encouraging the democratic process in Iraq and Afghanistan and supporting our troops. The House also worked on and found ways to reform our tax system and protect children and the traditional family. I am hopeful you will agree that what Congress said it would accomplish, it in fact did, and by doing so has made this nation a safer and better place.

Border Security was a main focus this year, and for good reason. Throughout the United States, and especially in Texas, people are very concerned with the porous nature of our nation’s borders and the effect it’s having on our national security. The Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005, which the Congress passed this session, will add thousands of new border patrol agents and detention beds and make new technology available to secure the border. We will also end the indefensible ‘catch and release’ policy. Language I authored, which will become law, mandates that all illegal aliens caught in the U.S. will be locked-up, and will make sure we have the detention space and resources to detain those trying to break into our country. Our border security legislation also gives local, county and state law enforcement agencies the capabilities and funds to assist the federal government in protecting our borders. Our nation is now moving quickly in the right direction and addressing lapses in our nation’s border security programs. Congress will continue to address border security problems with common sense legislation because in the post 9/11 world this is no longer just an immigration issue, it is one of national security.

In the coming years, you will also find changes at your local Department of Motor Vehicles as America works to ensure that only those legally in our country receive driver’s licenses. You may also find that Texas and its counties receive more dollars for homeland security expenses. In 2005, the House passed legislation making sure that those areas that are most susceptible to terrorist attack receive adequate funding for protection. Until 2005, Texas ranked nearly last in receiving federal homeland security dollars. With Texas serving as home to the President’s Western White House, the Port of Houston and a number of major cities, Texas should remain among those states receiving the most homeland security dollars, and now it will.

As hard as we worked to secure our borders and protect America from terrorism, we put forth as much effort to protect your money and jobs. We understand that providing for your family can be difficult, but also that keeping what you earn shouldn’t be. With that in mind, we passed a number of laws to protect private citizens and businesses from a tax and legal system which has hurt America and our economy in the past.

2005 was a year when the House truly focused on cutting spending, providing tax relief and tort reform. With these changes America’s economy will be truly fueled and primed to create jobs. The House worked on and passed: a class action fairness bill which eliminates frivolous lawsuits, a bankruptcy reform bill which protects consumers and small businesses, an extension of capital gains and the dividend tax relief, a permanent death tax repeal, health care liability and access legislation, small business health legislation which provides more affordable healthcare for American families, and pension reform. The House also protected private property from government confiscation.

In 2005, our military saw increases in their budgets. The House passed two Department of Defense bills which will support our veterans, provide needed equipment for our military and give their families a little more peace of mind while their sons, daughters, husbands and wives are off fighting terror.

America’s men and women in uniform have freed many people, Iraq and Afghanistan now have democratically elected forms of government and we have had many successes in the global war on terror. Last year, the House made sure America’s intelligence and security forces continued to receive the vital resources needed to defeat the terrorists. It is important that as Iraqis and Afghanis stand up in support of their own nations that our troops begin to stand down and come home. However, those decisions must be made by our President and commanders in the field and not by politicians in Congress. I had the opportunity to sit and visit with some of the soldiers who were wounded fighting in Iraq and they all told me the same thing, "We must finish the job," and finish the job we will.

Congress also worked to make sure the United Nations stops funding programs which provide little or no help to those in need and begins to act as a partner in finding legitimate ways of helping fight the war on terror. For that reason, we passed legislation demanding the United Nations begin making immediate changes to the ways it conducts business. The United States supplies the majority of the funding for operating expenses and programs to the United Nations, and its time the United Nations starts acting like the legitimate organization its charter demands it to be.

The House passed legislation to help Americans go about their daily lives. With a comprehensive energy bill, we worked to ensure America’s energy security. With an historic highway bill, we will improve Texas’ and our nation’s critical infrastructure by having you spend less time in traffic so you can spend more time with your families.

For the victims of Katrina and Rita, Congress provided immediate funding for hurricane relief to the Americans affected by these tragic natural disasters. Just as important, we found ways to help pay for the cost of rebuilding the Gulf Coast. Through the Deficit Reduction Act Congress succeeded in cutting spending and saved approximately $40 billion by restraining the rate of growth in the federal government and eliminating dozens of wasteful programs.

On the domestic front, the House passed legislation to help prevent sexual abuse against children, which will intensify the punishments for those evil enough to hurt America’s most innocent and at-risk citizens. To help parents protect their children, the House passed the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, which will make sure parents have a chance to help their daughters during their most vulnerable times. Parents of minor children must be consulted if their child wants to get their ears pierced, and the same standard should be applied when it comes to making life altering decisions.

I am proud to say that in 2005, the House of Representatives went to work and reached its goals to make sure America is a more secure and fiscally sound nation, and 2006 will be no different. We made promises to you and we delivered on those promises.

This year, our agenda will remain focused on improving economic security, border security and homeland security for the American people. One of our top priorities when Congress reconvenes will be to pass tax reform legislation that will help keep our economy going strong. This measure will extend the tax policies we have in place, and will benefit American families by creating more jobs and growing businesses.

Once again, it is an honor to represent you in Congress. Please know that my staff and I remain available to answer your questions or to provide assistance to you on issues relating to the federal government. In 2006, I will be back in Washington working for your interests and making sure that you are well represented in the United States House of Representatives. I wish you the best, and hope that 2006 is a healthy and prosperous year for you and your family.