Partnership Luncheon - 08/09

After spending twenty-five years practicing medicine in North Texas, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., was first elected to Congress in 2002, and re-elected in 2004, 2006, and most recently in 2008. During his time on Capitol Hill he has earned a reputation as a problem-solver who seeks sensible solutions to the challenges Americans face.

Dr. Burgess serves on the prestigious House Energy and Commerce Committee and three of its subcommittees: Health Care, Energy & Environment, and Oversight & Investigations. He is also a member of the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and Dr. Burgess recently founded and is Chairman of the Congressional Health Care Caucus. During his six years in Congress, Dr. Burgess has been a strong advocate for health care legislation aimed at reducing health care costs, improving choices, reforming liability laws to put the needs of patients first, and ensuring there are enough doctors in the public and private sector to care for America’s patients, and played an important role in bipartisan efforts to ensure the safety of food, drugs, and consumer products.

As a Member of Congress representing one of the fastest growing areas of the country, transportation is also a top priority for Dr. Burgess. He successfully amended the 2005 Highway Bill to include toll credits, as well as design-build, environmental streamlining, and borders-to-corridors provisions. During his time on Capitol Hill, he also has secured more than $38 million to build, maintain, and improve the safety of our roads, bridges, air service and transit in the North Texas region.

While in the House of Representatives, Dr. Burgess has received several awards, including the 2008 House Legislator of the Year from the Multiple Sclerosis Society; 2005 Legislator of the Year by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners; Guardian of Small Business by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB); and the Spirit of Enterprise award by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, among others.

Today Dr. Burgess represents parts of suburban Dallas and Fort Worth. He graduated with both an undergraduate and a Masters degree from North Texas State University, now the University of North Texas. He received his M.D. from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston and completed his residency programs at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Dr. Burgess also received a Masters degree in Medical Management from the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Burgess has been married to his wife, Laura, for 35 years, and they have three children and a grandso