Weekly Video Address: The State of Our Union
Posted by on February 15, 2013
This week Dr. Burgess provides an update from Washington, and responds to President Obama's State of the Union address. You can watch the video below. To read a transcript of the address click here.
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Burgess Statement on American Airlines Merger
Posted by on February 15, 2013
Dr. Burgess released the following statement after American Airlines and US Airways announced their merger agreement:

"Yesterday, American Airlines and US Airways officially announced their merger agreement and will operate under the American Airlines name.  As a major employer in North Texas the merger will be good for the employees and passengers, and will offer almost 1,000 daily departures from Texas while employing over 24,000 people. As a frequent flyer I've certainly come to realize that their employees are one their greatest assets and the stability the merger will offer is welcomed."

To read the official press release from American Airlines click here.
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Burgess, Engel Work to Continue Improving the Lives of Patients Impacted by Muscular Dystrophy
Posted by Whitney Thompson on February 13, 2013
Burgess, Engel Work to Continue Improving the Lives of Patients Impacted by Muscular Dystrophy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas) and Eliot Engel (D-New York) both recognize that more can be done to help those living with muscular dystrophy. To help ensure that the federal work impacting those with muscular dystrophy, keeps up with current science and that patients receive safe and effective therapies for all forms of muscular dystrophy they have introduced the Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research and Education Act (MD CARE Act) Amendments Act of 2013, H.R. 594.

Originally signed into law 12 years ago, there has been great success in coordinating and focusing research relating to muscular dystrophy and improving care standards aimed at improving clinical care across the muscular dystrophies. Had Congress not enacted the MD CARE Act in 2001 and its subsequent reauthorization in 2008, much of this progress likely wouldn't have occurred. 

“While we have seen great progress, we know there is more work to be done,” said Dr. Burgess. “Our legislation will enhance existing research efforts, and intensify existing surveillance and tracking of all the muscular dystrophies, and will ensure that valuable data informs the biomedical research agenda. All of these will help support the quality of research and care, and will help support adults living with various forms of muscular dystrophy so they can live independent, productive and rewarding lives.”

“As a cosponsor of the original MD-CARE Act of 2001 and the lead sponsor of the first reauthorization effort in 2008, I have been involved in seeking improvements to research and treatments for muscular dystrophy for many years.  Many of the improvements we have found in the fight against MD are directly related to the passage of the MD CARE Act 12 years ago.  Since the passage of the MD CARE Act, the average lifespan of Americans living with Duchenne MD, the most common form of muscular dystrophy in children, is an estimated 10 years longer than it was before the MD CARE Act became law.  It is definitely worthy to once again reauthorize the law.  I am pleased to work with my colleague, Congressman Burgess, on this issue, and I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues to urge its passage,” said Rep. Engel.

Since 2001, there have been 67 clinical trials of drugs or therapies for muscular dystrophy and there are currently 37 clinical trials underway. A number of the potential therapies now in clinical investigation can be traced to the basic research efforts stemming from this law. 

The MD CARE Act recognizes the challenging fiscal climate by providing no additional increase in authorized appropriations. 

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Burgess Statement on State of the Union Address
Posted by Whitney Thompson on February 12, 2013
Burgess Statement on State of the Union Address
“I hope President Obama will leave behind these “Fat Tuesday” policies that our country has been on for the past four years, and focus on the spending problems our country is facing.”

Washington, D.C. – In advance of President Obama’s State of the Union address, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26), Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittees on Health and Oversight and Investigations and Co-Chair of the Congressional Health Caucus, released the following statement:

“Today is “Fat Tuesday” and is known as the last hurrah before Lent and is the beginning of a long fasting period for some Christians. Many will take the opportunity to indulge in various foods and activities before the long Lenten season starts tomorrow. While the 40 days of Lent is not enough time to solve all our problems, it is a time of reflection and a time to evaluate where we can make changes and improve.

“Tonight, President Obama will make his ninth address to Congress and the American people since taking office just over four years ago. This is his opportunity to provide his plan on where we can change and improve America. We need to see a responsible savings proposal. We need to see a plan that reduces the debt. Finally, we need to see a plan that expands opportunity for all Americans without raising taxes.

“In 2009, there were over 27 million small businesses in the United States, making up over half of our country’s employment and generating 65 percent of net new jobs over the past 17 years. America is the land of opportunity, and we need to ensure that our small businesses are provided the environment to flourish and to put people to work. 

“I hope President Obama will leave behind these “Fat Tuesday” policies that our country has been on for the past four years, and focus on the spending problems our country is facing. Ordinary Americans are making adjustments and sacrifices every day. In this season of sacrifice and denial, Washington should do the same.”


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Weekly Video Address: Oversight and Investigations in the 113th Congress
Posted by on February 08, 2013
This week Dr. Burgess provides an update from Washington on the work the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will focus on in the 113th Congress. You can watch the video below. To read a transcript of the address click here.
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Statement on Energy Secretary Steven Chu Resignation
Posted by Meredith Smiley on February 01, 2013

With today’s announcement by Energy Secretary Steven Chu that he will soon be resigning from President Obama’s cabinet, it is my hope that the Department of Energy will close the door on its narrowly focused pursuit of unsustainable and costly “green” energy boondoogles and return to its core mission of supporting the production of abundant sources of fuel within our borders.  For the past 4 years, Secretary Chu has led an effort to undermine the thriving oil and gas industries in order to boost new technologies that have time after time proven to be failures, and he has done it at a massive expense to the American people.  Most egregiously, Secretary Chu will forever be associated with the failed loan guarantee program which funded Solyndra to a loss of $535 million, after he ignored the law by giving private investors priority over American taxpayers during Solyndra’s bankruptcy proceedings.  The federal government should get out of the business of dictating the energy sources that Americans use, and I hope that any future Secretary of Energy will commit to allowing the American people to choose for themselves how they heat and light their homes and run their cars.
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Burgess Names Service Academy Board and Nominees
Posted by Whitney Thompson on January 30, 2013

Burgess Names Service Academy Board and Nominees

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26), announced the members of his Service Academy Advisory Board. The twelve-member board met recently to advise him upon the selection of qualified service academy candidates. The board’s purpose is to comprehensively screen and interview high school and college applicants wishing to receive a congressional nomination; the board then makes recommendations to Dr. Burgess for final review and nominations are submitted to the individual service academies (U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD, U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY) for appointment consideration.

“One of the privileges I have serving in the U.S. House of Representatives is the opportunity to nominate outstanding young people from the 26th District to our nation’s service academies,” Dr. Burgess said. “We have a stellar group of former military, education and community leaders serving on the Advisory Board.  After a rigorous selection process, I was grateful to receive excellent recommendations from this outstanding board.”

Retired Air Force Lt. General Charles R. Hamm serves as Chairman of the Board. Dr. Burgess noted, “General Hamm’s highly regarded service as the former Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy enables him to capably lead the Board.”

“I know how serious Congressman Burgess takes his responsibility to nominate highly qualified young people to the academies and working with this distinguished board, I believe we were able to recommend the right people to him for consideration,” said General Hamm.

The members of the 26th Congressional District Service Academy Advisory Board are as follows:

  •  LtGen Charles R. Hamm, USAF (Ret.), Chairman. Of Argyle: U.S Military Academy graduate, former Superintendent of U.S. Air Force Academy
  • Mrs. Elaine Emery of Lewisville: Community Volunteer
  •  LtCol Paul Gosnell, USMCR (Ret.) of Frisco: U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Pilot
  •  LCDR William L. Hagan II, USN, of Flower Mound (active duty - stationed in Hawaii): U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate, Pacific Region Energy Manager, Diving & Salvage Officer
  • COL Marc Hildenbrand, U.S. Army (Ret.) of Denton: U.S. Military Academy graduate, Business Owner & Consultant
  • LCDR Dave Loomis, USNR, (Ret.) of Denton: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate, Consultant
  • Mr. Jerry Bryan McKinney, Jr. of Flower Mound: U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Transportation Security Administration Manager
  • Mr. Kevin R. Purnell of Lantana: U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, Management Consultant
  •  Dr. Peter Lane, Col., USAF (Ret.) of Denton: U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, Professor
  • Mr. Tom Russell of Flower Mound: U.S Military Academy graduate, Aerospace Consultant
  •  Mr. Richard Walker of North Richland Hills: Aerospace Financial Manager
  • Maj Jae Yu, USAFR (Ret.) of Flower Mound: U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, Pilot

***To download a photo of Dr. Burgess with the 26th Congressional District Service Academy Advisory Board click here.*** PHOTO: (L-R standing) Kevin Purnell, Paul Gosnell, Marc Hildenbrand, Rich Walker, Charlie Hamm, Pete Lane, Congressman Michael Burgess, Bryan McKinney, Jae Yu, Will Hagan. Elaine Emery. Dave Loomis, Tom Walker

Dr. Burgess is also pleased to announce the twenty-nine outstanding young men and women from the 26th District of Texas who have been selected as Class of 2017 nominees to our nation’s service academies.  Nominees were selected after a rigorous application process culminating in a personal interview with Dr. Burgess’ Academy Advisory Board.

“I was very impressed by the high caliber of candidates that applied to my office,” said Dr. Burgess. “The selection process was very competitive, and each of these students has a strong record of academic performance and leadership in school activities, sports, JROTC, and community and volunteer service.  If selected for appointment to their respective academies, I know each of these students will perform admirably, and serve honorably as officers in our country’s military services.”

A congressional nomination does not guarantee admission to one of the service academies as the academies’ respective admissions boards decide who is offered appointment, and ultimately admitted. If appointed, the nominees will enter this summer.

The following candidates were nominated to the service academies. Several individuals have been nominated to multiple academies; if they receive appointment offers from more than one academy, the student will have to choose one to attend.

  • Logan Bouma attends Frisco High School and was nominated to the U.S Naval Academy.
  • Jennie Bruggeman of Keller attends Westlake Academy and was nominated to the U.S Air Force Academy.
  • James Callan of Flower Mound attends Culver Military Academy and was nominated to the U.S Military Academy and U.S Merchant Marine Academy.
  • Gabrielle Carpenito of Keller attends Westlake Academy and was nominated to the U.S Military Academy.
  • Madison Charland attends Keller High School and was nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy.
  • Kyle Condry of Lewisville and attends the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School and was nominated to the U.S Naval Academy.
  • Derek Deiter attends Frisco High School and was nominated to the U.S Air Force Academy and the U.S Military Academy.
  • Trevor Dutt of Flower Mound attends Texas A&M University and was nominated to the U.S Air Force Academy.
  •  Reagan Fentress of Denton attends Guyer High School and was nominated to the U.S Air Force Academy.
  • Duke Fredrickson of Flower Mound attends Coram Deo Academy and was nominated to the U.S Air Force Academy.
  • Dane Fusselman of Roanoke attends Byron Nelson High School and was nominated to the U.S Military Academy.
  • Anthony Gallozzi of Lewisville currently serves in the U.S. Navy and was nominated to the U.S Naval Academy.
  • Brendan Greenwell of Flower Mound attends Marcus High School and was nominated to the U.S Military Academy and the U.S Merchant Marine Academy.
  • Alain Haldeman attends The Colony High School and was nominated to the U.S Merchant Marine Academy.
  • Garrett Hamm attends Argyle High School and was nominated to the U.S Merchant Marine Academy.
  • Reyden Harris of North Richland Hills attends Timber Creek High School and was nominated to the U.S Naval Academy.
  • Easton Haslam of Roanoke attends Byron Nelson High School and was nominated to the U.S Naval Academy.
  • Alec Heierman attends Keller High School and was nominated to the U.S Air Force Academy.
  • Megan Keohane of Hurst attends L.D. Bell High School and was nominated to the U.S Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.
  • Jordan Mahoney attends Keller High School and was nominated to the U.S Merchant Marine Academy.
  • Nathanael McGlothlin of Keller attends Greystone Preparatory School and was nominated to the U.S Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
  • Andrew McNair of Argyle attends Marion Military Institute and was nominated to the U.S Military Academy.
  • Stacia Sackett of Fort Worth attends Timber Creek High School and was nominated to the U.S Air Force Academy.
  • Sumner Sherrod of Keller attends Westlake Academy and was nominated to the U.S Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Academy.
  • Nathan Shurtleff attends Flower Mound High School and was nominated to the U.S Air Force Academy.
  • Andrew Stracener of Keller attends the American School of London and was nominated to the U.S Naval Academy.
  • Christopher Svatik of Lewisville attends Liberty Academy and was nominated to the U.S Military Academy and the U.S. Merchant Academy.
  • Kenneth West attends Mansfield High School and was nominated to the U.S Merchant Marine Academy.
  • Tyler Whitfield of Roanoke attends Byron Nelson High School and was nominated to the U.S Naval Academy.

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Burgess Statement on Senate Immigration Reform Proposal
Posted by Whitney Thompson on January 29, 2013
Burgess Statement on Senate Immigration Reform Proposal

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (Texas-26) released the following statement regarding the Senate’s immigration reform proposal:

“While the Senate proposal includes several provisions aimed at improving the enforcement of our current immigration laws, it fails to ensure the integrity of the legal immigration process. We need to ensure that our borders are secure and employers are hiring those who are legal to work in America. We have programs in place, such as E-verify, that make employment verification easy and efficient. I am adamant about enforcement, especially when employers go outside the law and hire those who are not here legally.  Rewarding those who enter this country illegally is not only reckless, but blocks opportunities for the 12 million American citizens who are currently unemployed and costs taxpayers more money.”


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Burgess To Hold Watauga Town Hall Meeting
Posted by on January 29, 2013
Burgess To Hold Watauga Town Hall Meeting

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (Texas-26) has announced that he will hold a town hall meeting on Thursday, January 31, 2013. The town hall will provide residents of Texas’ 26th Congressional District the chance to learn more about what is happening in Washington and how legislation will impact North Texans. Issues such as unemployment, taxes, and the health care are expected to be discussed.


Watauga Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, January 31, 2013
7 pm to 8 pm

The Harvest Church
Auditorium
7200 Denton Highway
Fort Worth, Texas


For constituents unable to attend the meeting in person, the town hall is scheduled for live broadcast on Dr. Burgess’ website. For more information on the town hall meeting visit  burgess.house.gov/TownHall.

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Weekly Video Address: The Rules Committee
Posted by Whitney Thompson on January 25, 2013
This week Dr. Burgess provides an update from Washington on the Rules Committee. You can watch the video below. To read a transcript of the address click here. 
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