Washington, Aug 15, 2003 - Just over 200 days ago, I was sworn in as the Congressman representing Southern New Mexico. Early on, I shared my visions for Southern New Mexico. I told people I would work to make New Mexico a better place to live. I told them that because they have given me the opportunity to serve, I would address the most crucial issues facing Southern New Mexico including water, the economy, education, health care and national security. I came into office with a “get it done” attitude, and my staff and I are working very hard to improve and strengthen Southern New Mexico.

We have an excellent staff who have dedicated a large part of their lives to working for New Mexicans. In Roswell and Las Cruces, our staff works daily to help people all over Southern New Mexico with various problems and has had a tremendous success rate. We assist veterans with Veterans Administration problems, senior citizens with Social Security issues and we work very diligently to help our military and their families. In fact, although we have only been in office for 225 days, our offices have been recognized for our outstanding constituent services. Some might call this a good record; I call it a good start.

While constituent service remains a top priority, we are also in the business of advancing sound policies for New Mexico. We have introduced legislation that will restore water rights to the states so that our farmers, our communities and our economy will not suffer from having our water taken by the federal government. I have sponsored a bill that allows Hispanic Serving Institutions to receive federal assistance, thereby improving part of our education structure. I also have cosponsored 73 bills – some of which are designed to provide tax relief for families and businesses, address veteran funding issues, education, health care, the environment, our military and our economy. This “get it done” list was designed with one purpose only -- to make a difference in the lives of the American people. We are pushing for new common-sense approaches, and taking steps to resolve complex issues.

And we have traveled. By the end of August, we will have held a Town Hall Meeting in every full county in the district. We have taken the time to stop in our small, rural communities such as Arrey, Hillsboro, Winston, Corona, Animas, Jal, Reserve and Vaughn. In fact, in the last 225 days, I have spent more than 105 days working in Congress and I have been traveling to and from and working in New Mexico for nearly 100 days. Each time I return to Washington after being in the District, I add a push-pin to my map of the district to indicate all of the communities I have visited. In the last 225 days, I have visited with our neighbors in more than 50 communities throughout Southern New Mexico.

I have always known that New Mexicans are some of the most generous, good-hearted and hard working people – people who are willing to serve their neighbors and their country. In the last 225 days, that belief has been confirmed. For instance, the New Mexico Cattle Growers, the Paragon Foundation and some very dedicated volunteers helped my staff and I create a “Thank You Barbeque” for soldiers and their families at Fort Bliss. The seven head of cattle that were donated for this wonderful event fed more than six thousand people. With this event at Fort Bliss, we were able to show our appreciation to our soldiers for their service, leadership and sacrifice. I was honored to be a part of such an important event. The greatness of New Mexico is a result of the collective hearts of decent, caring Americans, and I am honored to be your Congressman.

The citizens of New Mexico have a wealth of resources and talents. When we work together, we find solutions that make our communities better places to live and raise our families. This Congress and this Administration have done a lot of good work. For example, the House passed the Jobs and Growth Tax Act, the Class Action Fairness Act, the Healthy Forest Restoration Act, the Prescription Drug and Medicare Modernization Act, and the Ready to Teach Act – and many more measures that are designed to make America stronger.

But, there is more to be done, and we have many difficult tasks ahead of us. We will not deny, ignore or pass our problems on to the next generation of leaders. We will continue to work very hard. There is an old saying that I try to remember, “Let us not pray for tasks equal to our strength. Let us pray for strength equal to our tasks."

I'm proud of what our staff, volunteers and valued members of the community have been able to accomplish in the last 225 days, and I want to thank each and every one of them for a job well done. Together we've laid a successful foundation for the future.

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