WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today made the following statement regarding the nomination of Robert Gates to serve as Secretary of Defense. “Robert Gates is an individual of the ...

Following a recent increase in scam e-mails, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers to be on the lookout for bogus e-mails claiming to be from the tax agency.

The IRS saw an increase in complaints in recent weeks about these e-mails, which are designed to trick the recipients into disclosing personal and financial information that could be used to steal the recipients' identity and financial assets.

For information on preventing or handling the aftermath of identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission's consumer http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/index.html and OnGuardOnLine http://onguardonline.gov/index.html Web sites. Click on "Topics" to find the identity theft and phishing areas on OnGuardOnLine.

More information can be found in IRS Notice 2006-104, posted on IRS.gov.

The IRS has acknowledged the certifications made by Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. and by Ford Motor Company, that several of their 2006 vehicles qualify for the hybrid tax credit enacted by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The tax credit for hybrid vehicles applies to vehicles purchased on or after January 1, 2006.

The credit is only available for a limited time. Taxpayers may claim the full amount of the allowable credit up to the end of the first calendar quarter after the quarter in which the manufacturer records its sale of the 60,000th vehicle. For the second and third calendar quarters the amount decreases to 50% of the credit, then to 25% in the fourth and fifth quarters. No credit is allowed after that.

Visit www.fueleconomy.gov for a list of qualified vehicles and their credit amounts.

The Texas Military Family Foundation (TMFF) is a non-profit 501 C(3) organization that provides assistance to soldiers while training, deploying, returning home as well as those that are wounded and injured. Being based at Fort Hood, the TMFF is able to provide personal comforts in a warm atmosphere while being easily accessible, and has allowed them to assist with the deployment and reception of over 100,000 United States Soldiers.

One of the most popular efforts of the TMFF is the Smiley face stickers they provide at deployments. Having initially started as a small way to boost the soldiers' spirits, now EVERY soldier deploying out of Fort Hood, and many other sites, receive a smiley face sticker. Executive Director, Julie Curtis-Win has said, "It's our way of showing we care and allows the soldier to take a small part of us with them." Some soldiers have been so touched that they kept the smiley face sticker with them throughout their tour of duty to show it off upon returning.

Visit www.tmff.us for more information about The Texas Military Family Foundation and the services they provide for our service members.

Founded in 1964, the White House Fellows program is America's most prestigious program for leadership and public service. White House Fellowships offer exceptional young men and women first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the federal government.

White House Fellows typically spend a year working as full-time, paid special assistants to senior White House Staff, the Vice President, Cabinet Secretaries and other top-ranking government officials. Fellows also participate in an education program consisting of roundtable discussions with renowned leaders from the private and public sectors, and trips to study U.S. policy in action both domestically and internationally. Fellowships are awarded on a strictly non-partisan basis.

Information, including a downloadable application, is available on The While House Fellows Program website — www.whitehouse.gov/fellows. The application deadline for the 2007-2008 Class is February 1, 2007.

The US Government has created an online resource online resource for avian influenza. Visit the site for key facts, outbreak information, travel advice, and professional guidance with regards to avian influenza.

Low-income Medicare beneficiaries can take advantage of a web-based service available as a result of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. Nearly 1 in 3 beneficiaries are eligible for the many assistance programs that this new service consolidates and makes available online.

Use BenefitsCheckupUpRx to find out if you are eligible for the Medicare low-income subsidy as well as learning about how to enroll in various state, private, veteran, and Medicare programs. The BenefitsCheckUpRx tool is confidential and no personal information is required until you enroll.

BenefitsCheckUpRx web page:
http://www.BenefitsCheckUp.org/rx

Additionally, starting next year, Medicare beneficiaries who receive full Medicaid benefits or who are enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) will automatically receive extra help with their prescription drug costs. Rules of eligibility for MSP beneficiaries vary by state and information clarifying the different state requirements can found at www.cms.hhs.gov/medicarereform/states/whatsnew.asp.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has created a website — www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil — to showcase and share the many ways communities across America are uniting to support the men and women of the military. Visit the website to send a message to our troops and for information on how to develop your own support program.

The Veterans History Project collects and preserves the extraordinary wartime stories of ordinary people. Visit the Veterans History Project website to participate and learn more.