Dear Friend,

A few weeks ago, my office invited students at local schools to create holiday greeting cards for America's troops. The response was absolutely overwhelming. So far, we've received about 1,000 cards from schoolchildren across Kansas.

The letters and cards are remarkable, sharing such poignant and heartfelt thoughts for the soldiers who are overseas this holiday season:

"Dear Soldier: You might not know me, but I pray for you. I pray for everyone fighting in the war and their families… Hope you have a great holiday, as much as possible. We'll be thinking of you all and always praying for you guys and girls."

"Dear Brave Soldier: I call you brave because you truly are brave to be in Iraq and fight for your country. I thank you so much for what you are doing for this country."

"My Dearest Soldier: By the time you receive this, it's probably around the Christmas season. As each holiday passes by, I can't help but think about all the troops who are missing out… All I can do is pray that God keeps you all safe, no matter what your religion."

It's impossible to read through the cards and letters without feeling moved, almost to tears, by the extraordinary gratitude that Kansans of all ages feel for our troops. If you, too, would like to share your thoughts with our soldiers, just visit http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/.

Have a safe and happy holiday season,

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress


Casework Corner - Protect Your Safety This Holiday Season

As the holidays approach and many of us race around to find the perfect gifts for our friends and families, it’s important to take a few safety precautions to ensure that our season stays joyous. The number of busy people rushing around from store to store creates a unique opportunity for those who would take advantage of the natural sense of security most of us have when we are out and about.

Security experts suggest that, rather than carry a purse, women should consider simply carrying a wallet. Men and women alike are encouraged to carry their wallets in a front pocket, as well. Of course, if your wallet is lost or stolen, you should call your credit card companies and bank to cancel your cards as quickly as possible, this will help ensure that you are protected from having to cover the cost of any fraudulent charges that are made in your name.

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Letter of the Week - National Defense Authorization Act

I am very proud that the conference report of the National Defense Authorization Act that passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate retains much of the original House bill, including restoring our military’s readiness by increasing training dollars and taking care of the troops by prohibiting the Administration’s TRICARE fee increases for both servicemembers and retirees. The bill also adds 13,000 more soldiers to the Army and 9,000 more Marines this year as part of a plan to add 92,000 soldiers and Marines. A 3.5 percent pay increase for all servicemembers is included, 0.5 percent more than what the President requested.

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This Week in Congress - 12/10 to 12/16/2007

On Monday morning, I toured the Capper Foundation in Topeka and visited with the workers and the children. After the tour, the kids and I joined together to color greeting cards for troops serving in Iraq, which I will personally deliver on an upcoming trip to the Middle East. Later that afternoon I flew back to Washington, D.C. for the week.

On Tuesday, a delegation from Herrington, Kansas, visited the D.C. office, including Mayor Julie Schlesener, City Manager Ron Strickland, and military liason Lt. Col. Chuck Jarnot. Also on Tuesday U.S. House Armed Services Committee held a full committee hearing into security and stability in Afghanistan, focusing on the status of U.S. strategy and operations and the way ahead.

On Wednesday, Terry Holdren and Edie Dahlsten of the Kansas Farm Bureau visited the office, along with Chris Garza of the American Farm Bureau. The House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee met to hear testimony on implementation of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Committee's decisions, and the full U.S. House Agriculture Committee held a business meeting.

On Thursday, the House voted on the 2008 Intelligence Authorization Act, a bill to authorize national intelligence operations for the upcoming year. I joined other members of the House Armed Services Committee to record our holiday greetings to troops serving overseas. After the House recessed for the week, I caught a flight home to Kansas for the weekend.

On Saturday, my husband, Steve, and I joined Fort Leavenworth commander Lt. Gen. William Caldwell for a holiday reception at his residence, and we then joined the Kansas State Prison Stop Violence Banquet at the Lansing Correctional Facility.