The Hill Report 4/25/2011-04/29/2011

Statement

This week, I enjoyed the opportunity to be in North Texas for the Spring District Work Period. I always appreciate my constituents taking the time to visit with me and discuss the current direction of our country.

On Monday, I visited the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas. The Center was founded in 1999 to search for ways to promote brain health and research brain conditions, diseases and disorders. I enjoyed visiting the facility and meeting with the talented scientists and staff that have dedicated themselves to brain health. After touring the Center, we had a roundtable discussion of their current work and the progress the Center has witnessed in its research efforts.

I also enjoyed the opportunity to discuss with them the bipartisan Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Treatment Act that I introduced this Congress with my colleagues on the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. As you may remember, the TBI Treatment legislation establishes a five-year "pay-for-performance" pilot program that allows physicians to qualify for payment from the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs after using independent pre- and post-treatment neuropsychological testing, accepted survey instruments, neurological imaging, or clinical examination to prove that a patient has experienced demonstrable improvement. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to move forward with this legislation, as well as working with the BrainHealth Center on their efforts to ensure robust brain health for all Americans. For more information on the Center for BrainHealth at the UTD, visit their website.

Highland Park Town Council Visit
Also on Monday, I visited the Highland Park Town Council meeting where I was honored to receive the first Highland Park town flag. After realizing that Highland Park has never had their own town flag, the Council's leadership worked together and voted last year on the new design. In choosing a design, Highland Park Town Council looked for elements that reflect the traditions of Highland Park, and I look forward to having their new flag in my District office.

In addition to receiving the Highland Park town flag, I also presented an American flag to the Council that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol in their honor. Mayor William Seay, Mayor Pro Tem Gail Madden and "Mayor for the Day" Zachary Anderson accepted the flag on behalf of the entire Council. I enjoyed the opportunity to talk with "Mayor for the Day" Zachary, who is in first grade, about the importance of the American flag and the ideals that it symbolizes for our great nation.

TXU Energy Visit
On Wednesday, I visited TXU Energy in Irving where I had the opportunity to tour the campus and hold a Town Hall meeting with TXU employees. I enjoyed answering questions and discussing the current energy policy debates in Washington. We acknowledged the critical need for a comprehensive energy plan that will increase production of traditional and renewable energy, reduce demand through conservation and efficiency, and free our nation from dependence on foreign oil.

TXU Energy provides electricity and related services to approximately 2 million customers in Texas, making them the number one choice for electricity in Texas. To learn more about TXU Energy and their energy saving solutions, visit http://www.txu.com.

Second Annual Research Down Syndrome Golf Classic
On Thursday, my son Alex and I joined Governor Rick Perry in taking photos to promote the Second Annual Research Down Syndrome Golf Classic that will be held in Flower Mound on June 16th. I am proud to serve as the honorary chairman of the event, along with the honorary sponsors, Governor Rick Perry and State Representative Tan Parker. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this event and enjoyed the time I got to spend and talk with all of those who are assisting with the event, as well as those individuals with Down syndrome that were in attendance.

As the father of a young man with Down syndrome, I understand how important events such as the Research Down Syndrome Golf Classic are to raising awareness and fundraising to make leading-edge research possible. I look forward to a successful event that will assist in providing more opportunites for individuals with Down syndrome so that they may reach their maximum potential. For more information about the Golf Classic, visit https://researchds.org/index.php/rdsgolfclassic/.

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