Dear friend,

I am honored and humbled that you elected me to serve a fifth term representing the constituents of California’s 15th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

I congratulate my fellow candidates, Joyce Cordi and Peter Myers, for their campaigns, and I look forward to their input as we work together to solve the urgent problems facing our community and country.

The overwhelming and historic voter turnout in this election, particularly from new voters and minority communities, is a reminder of the responsibility we have to bring about real change in this country.

With thousands of Silicon Valley families facing home foreclosure, and even more coping with the pains of bankruptcy, the American people are expecting bold and decisive action from Washington. On January 20, 2009, America will begin rebuilding from the damaging policies of the past eight years. With President Obama in the White House and our expanded Democratic majorities in Congress, I look forward to working with the Obama Administration to bring prosperity back to our district and nation, to make America safer and to restore our image abroad.

As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, I will continue working to direct federal funding to such fundamental needs as: Worker training, affordable healthcare, adequate law enforcement, benefits for veterans, and public education.

As a former school teacher and lifelong educator, I know that the strength of America’s tomorrow lies in the classrooms of today. I am eager to get back to work on making public education a priority for our nation, and ensuring that public education remains the great equalizer for every child to realize the American dream.

Children in America today receive vastly unequal educational experiences and opportunities due to substantial differences in funding. This barrier prevents too many children from realizing their potential, leading to increasing economic inequality in our society. I look forward to addressing this important issue by re-introducing the Citizens’ Educational Equity Commission Act, legislation I introduced to convene a diverse commission of education professionals to gather insights and public opinions about how the government can improve public education.

We must also recognize that the future of our economy is directly linked to the education that we provide the next generation of our workforce. Ensuring American competitiveness in an increasingly global economy requires significant improvements to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Earlier this year, Senator Barack Obama and I introduced the Enhancing Science Technology Engineering and Math Education Act that will help move the nation’s priorities toward ensuring that the United States remains a global leader in scientific advancement and technological innovation. I am eager to reintroduce this legislation in the 111th Congress, knowing America will have a President in the White House who shares my commitment to strengthening our economy through improving public education.

The voters of the 15th District have once again entrusted me with representing their real life priorities in the United States House of Representatives, and I will not let them down.

- Mike