Dear Friends,
Over the past nine months, my colleagues and I have worked tirelessly to deliver the change that you voted for last November.  We passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, directing billions of dollars towards improving our infrastructure. We developed energy efficiency projects and programs, expanded social services and delivered middle class Americans the largest tax cut in our Nation’s history. 

We didn’t stop there.  In June we passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which will drastically curb our dependence on foreign oil and promote the development of the green-collar workforce I promised to bring to New York’s 21st Congressional District.  Thanks to my background and experience in energy policy, I was able to introduce the Wind Energy Research and Development Act of  2009 which will commit $100 billion to developing wind energy over the next five years. 

As you can see, it’s been a busy nine months, but I am proud of the work we have accomplished. It has been a particularly hectic August Recess as well, where the opponents to change attempted to take over the debate on reforming our nation’s broken health care system by trying to stifle your voices clamoring for help.  It’s quite clear that we’re paying too much and getting too little in return, while insurance companies continue to report record profits.

I ask each of you to take this opportunity to donate $500, $250 or $100 to my campaign so that I can continue to develop and promote progressive policies and work with President Obama, like I did last week when he visited Troy, NY.

We have an important filing deadline coming up on September  30, 2009, making your contribution all the more timely.  Please help us send a message to those who would help maintain the status quo that America's working families can't afford to continue the path of inaction.

Your contribution will ensure that a progressive message will continue to be heard in Washington and throughout Upstate New York.  I thank you for your tireless support, and I look forward to continuing my work for you on the many exciting and challenging issues of our time.
 

Sincerely,
 
Paul D. Tonko
Member of Congress