EDUCATION

My wife and I are both products of a generation that believes that a major key to ones success in life is a good education. I believe that this is even more applicable in the 21st Century, as the requirements for an educated workforce is dictated by the demands of sophisticated technology. We have an obligation and responsibility to make a quality education available to every child. An often-overlooked part of any strategy to fix what is wrong with our educational system is the creation of an environment where students can learn and teachers can teach. Any legitimate attempt to reform what is wrong with education has to place contractual demands on parents/guardians and the development of a comprehensive approach to meet the needs of students. In addition, although testing must continue to be the standard for assessing progress, the “no child left behind program” has to be reworked and properly funded or abandoned in favor of a better plan. We have collaborated with our school board and other concerned citizens to do whatever it takes to ensure that the children in our community succeed. Our work has brought about improvement in students performance and a school system ranked third best in the state. I will work to help all communities in my district achieve the levels of success they are striving to attain.

FAITH AND FAMILY VALUES

I believe that the family is the very foundation of our society. I also believe that the family as we once knew it is being threatened. I am committed to traditional family values. As a Deacon in the Church, I have taken an active part in nurturing extended family relationships where one or more parents may not have been available in a household. I was blessed to be raised by parents that taught us to love our neighbor as ourselves and to do unto others, as we would have them do unto us. These early teachings reinforced by Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and Adult Bible Study have provided the basis for my faith in God. I am pro life and believe that all life is sacred. I believe that as Christians, we not only have an obligation to take this position, but we should also provide education and assistance to those who are facing this issue.

HEALTHCARE

I believe that in the wealthiest country in the world, health care should be available in a fashion that everyone can afford. It is unconscionable that millions of Americans do not have health insurance. Like many of our citizens and elected officials, I have taken the “Divided We Fail” pledge. I will work in a bipartisan manner to improve among other things, our inadequate health care system.

JOBS AND THE ECONOMY

Some of the larger municipalities in the District have faced challenges but have been able to overcome them because of greater economic opportunities. I will continue the work to enhance the economic potential of our two military installations, (Fort Polk and Barksdale Air Force Base). Not only do I see the value of maintaining and growing these two valuable assets, I like many active, reserve and retired personnel, have a vested interested in their viability. They provide medical, legal and administrative support to over fifty thousand retire soldiers and their families. Likewise, the success stories of Caddo, Bossier, Beauregard, and Vernon Parishes must be duplicated in the other nine Parishes of the District. I shall endeavor to assist these municipalities in developing plans to attract business and industry to their respective areas.

THE WAR IN IRAQ

I believe that at this point in time, trying to figure out if going to war in Iraq was the right thing to do, serves no useful purpose. What is important is that our troops know that the country is solidly behind them and that our resolve remains strong enough to obtain victory as defined by responsible leadership. We must also insure that not only do our soldiers get everything they need to fight the war, but also that they get the quality treatment and support needed when they return home. As a combat veteran, I know what it's like to serve during an unpopular war. I will leave no stone unturned to see that these men and women get everything they deserve and that they are able to return to their loved ones as soon as possible.

SOCIAL SECURITY

For nearly 75 years Social Security has provided the foundation of the retirement program for many working Americans. In fact, nearly fifty per cent of Americans depend on Social Security as the primary funding source of their retirement. I believe this very important program should not be dismantled as some have suggested. To the contrary, congress has to tackle head on the very difficult problem of insuring the programs viability. I plan to lead the fight to take Social Security off life-support and insure that it is available for future generations.