Dear Friend,

Last week, I had the opportunity to meet someone truly special, and I’d like to take this chance to share his story with you.

For over a decade now, Stuart Griffiths of Riley, Kansas has opened his home and his heart to children in need. He has served as a foster parent for 32 children, helping kids who were victims of abuse or had behavioral problems grow into successful, talented adults.

Stuart first started working with children as a wrestling coach while in college, when he gave rides to and from practice to a young man living in a group home. Stuart wanted to do more to help, so he began volunteering at the young man’s group home – helping with homework, playing ball, and whatever else was needed. Eventually, the home asked Stuart to take on the role of assistant director. He later returned to school and earned a degree in social work, and he has devoted the last eight years of his life to working in child protective services. He now has five adopted sons, ranging in age from 14 to 19.

Stuart has never asked for recognition or reward, but it is only right that, after so many years, he should be honored for his caring work. I was very pleased last week to recognize Stuart as a 2007 Angel in Adoption of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. Together we attended an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., where over a hundred Members of Congress came together to honor Stuart and other extraordinary children’s advocates from across America.

Of course, no honor can repay the efforts of caring men and women like Stuart, but I hope the recognition provided by the Angels in Adoption program helps to express our nation's gratitude for their work.

With warm regards,

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress


Casework Corner – Watch out for Medicare Late Enrollment Fee

An issue to which we dedicate a lot of time in Congresswoman Boyda's constituent services office is Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. While the program helps many Kansans to afford their otherwise quite expensive medications, the application process is complex and can be confusing. Because of this, many come to this office seeking assistance in working with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

One Medicare policy in particular accounts for many of the complaints that we hear from constituents. CMS generally imposes a penalty on those who do not enroll in the program within three months of turning 65. This is an added fee that must be paid as long as Medicare prescription drug coverage is continued. As you can imagine, the penalty comes as a surprise to nearly everyone to whom it applies. Unfortunately, there are many low-income recipients who face a serious financial hardship because of the extra burden.

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This Week in Congress – 10/1 to 10/7

On Monday, I toured the VA Regional Office in Wichita, which processes VA claims from across the state. The facility's staff offered an update on the status of veterans' benefits here in Kansas, as well as the impact of the $5.8 billion in emergency funding Congress recently appropriated to the VA. Later on Monday afternoon, I flew back to D.C. for the week.

On Tuesday, Jesse Alan Marden of Manhattan and Katie Rennie of Cherokee visited as representatives of the Kansas Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America. My office also welcomed Dan Goddard and Brian Kinzie of Parsons, who are with the KSAAP-LRPA; State Rep. Sidney Carlin from Manhattan; State Rep. Annie Tietze from Topeka; Ronald Walker, the superintendent of Ft. Riley USD 475; LaMont Godsey, a Board of Education member; Deborah Baeuchle the superintendent of Ft. Leavenworth USD 207; and Dr. Thomas Taylor, a National Science Board member and Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at KU.

On Wednesday, Paul Livingston of the Kansas Rehab Hospital dropped by my office, as did Elizabeth Jesse of Humboldt, who represented the Dietary Managers Association

On Thursday, Stuart Griffiths, a foster parent from Riley, traveled to D.C. with his five adopted children for an awards ceremony sponsored by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. While Stuart was in town, we toured the Capitol and met with Congressman Charlie Rangel. Also visiting on Thursday was Mary Baskett, a representative of Kansas Head Start. That evening I flew home to Kansas for the weekend.

On Saturday, Freedonia held their 84th annual homecoming festival, and I was very honored to join the festivities. My staff and I also visited the Golden Keys Nursing Home in Neodesha for a Congress on Your Corner, and I had the chance to speak with the 3rd District VFW and Ladies Auxiliary Meeting.


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