As we get closer to the end of this Congress we should be addressing the urgent needs of the American people - the war in Iraq affordable health care a sensible energy policy quality education for our children retirement security and a sound and fair fiscal policy.

But the dollars spent on economic incentives and new investment strategies are wasted unless we seriously address the two most important economic issues in Kansas: education and health care.

The time is now for Congress to address health care in America.

And whether it is equal pay health care Social Security or family leave this Congress has refused to address issues critical to hard-working American women.

I think that we have a number of different health care challenges in our country and certainly addressing the uninsured is one and the second is making sure that those with health insurance actually get the care that they assume they'll have available to them if they get sick.

There is a consensus of willing leaders from both parties coalescing around the right way forward in health care. Reform should address government-imposed inequities and barriers to true choice and competition.

One of the most difficult speeches to prepare is an address to a graduation class which is why I don't often do them.

A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that 'individuality' is the key to success.

Any man may be in good spirits and good temper when he's well dressed. There ain't much credit in that.

One of the matters that must be addressed is that Rwanda and Uganda have to leave the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We're also supporting processes to ensure that the political dialogue among the Congolese themselves takes place so that the people there can decide their future.

What appeals to me? There are things points of view uses of the language habits of dress ways of thought and believing that came to me from my grandparents and came to them from theirs. Things that are of good use in any situation no matter what the future may hold.

The discussion in Washington has changed dramatically. I mean it's no longer a question of should we address entitlements - it's no longer a question of do we need to reduce spending in the future.

We must not become the new puritans and reject our society. We must address and master the future together. It can be done if we restore the belief that we share a sense of national community that we share a common national endeavor. It can be done.

Doctors dressed up in one professional costume or another have been in busy practice since the earliest records of every culture on earth. It is hard to think of a more dependable or enduring occupation harder still to imagine any future events leading to its extinction.

The global economic outlook remains fragile and uncertain. Global economic imbalances persist and we must address them or risk future instability.

The politics of partisanship and the resulting inaction and excuses have paralyzed decision-making primarily at the federal level and the big issues of the day are not being addressed leaving our future in jeopardy.

Conservatism discards Prescription shrinks from Principle disavows Progress having rejected all respect for antiquity it offers no redress for the present and makes no preparation for the future.