Dear Fellow Hoosiers,

Thank you for the opportunity to update you on the work of the 114th Congress. I trust this finds you and your family well, as we work together to bring Hoosier common sense to Washington.

For daily updates, please take a moment to "Like" my Facebook page by clicking here  or follow me on Twitter if you prefer  @ToddRokita.

In this week's Rokita Report

• Happy Mother's Day
• Rokita Reading
• Art Contest Winner
• Visiting DC - Tour Requests

Happy Mother's Day

Sunday is Mother's Day.  It is a special day for us to thank mothers.  A mother's love is an amazing devotion.  I would like to thank my wife, Kathy, and my mother, Reggie, for all that they have done as mothers and all they continue to do.

Picture with the family in my Washington DC Office.

Kathy and I have two boys, Teddy and Ryan.  When Teddy was diagnosed with Angelman's Syndrome, a rare neuro-genetic disorder, Kathy took action like only a mother could.  She has become a member of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation'sboard and organizes the annual walk in Indianapolis, which will be held later this month on May 21.  There will be nearly forty walks held nationwide this month to raise awareness for Angelman Syndrome.

Rokita Reading 
A clickable offering of books and articles that I've read recently and highly recommend, as we strive together to "Keep the Republic."

This week, Purdue University turned 147.  The university was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly accepted a donation from John Purdue to establish a college of science, technology, and agriculture.  Under Purdue University President Mitch Daniels, the institution remains a source of pride for Hoosiers and a globally recognized academic leader.

As we think of Purdue, I am reminded of an article that Mitch Daniels wrote for the Wall Street Journal, How Student Debt Harms the Economy, that lays out the "growing catalog of damage caused by the decades-long run-up in the cost of higher education."  In most universities, tuition costs rise every year.  Remarkably, for five consecutive years tuition at Purdue University has stayed the same.  This means that graduating seniors have been able to have the same tuition for their entire undergraduate careers.  I know the challenges of operating an organization using fiscally responsible policies.  As Indiana Secretary of State from 2003 to 2011, I operated my office at 1987 budget levels.

The consequences of growing student debt are staggering and President Daniels lays them out.  Graduates are delaying significant life decisions because of their debt.  College graduates are increasingly unlikely to take an ownership stake in small business after graduation.  President Daniels points out that today's youth are saddled with increasing debt from our entitlement programs too.  Programs that as Vice-Chairman of the House Budget Committee, I have been working on reforming through initiatives incorporated into the House Budget including a state flexibility fund for Medicaid.  We must ensure that future generations inherit a better country, not one where they are burdened by an insurmountable amount of personal and public debt.

Art Contest Winner

Every year, the Congressional Art Competition provides a chance to highlight the works of high school students from across the country.  Each district selects a winner and the work will be displayed in our nation's Capitol.  I always appreciate the chance to highlight the work of talented Hoosier students.

This year is Indiana's Bicentennial and one of the ways my office celebrated is through the Art Contest.  This year, entries for Indiana's 4th District were required to fit our theme, which was "Indiana's Bicentennial: Celebrating 200 Years!"

Our winning entry is from Jessica Phillips of Danville.  Jessica's piece celebrates Indiana's history and symbols. 

Visiting DC - Tour Requests

Visiting Washington is a great way for Hoosiers to learn about our nation's history and government.  One of the busiest seasons is summer and I would encourage those of you who are planning to visit to reach out to my office to let us help you make your plans.

Video discussing tour options for Hoosiers visiting Washington DC

The tours that my office can help coordinate include:

• The U.S. Capitol, which is where both the Senate and the House vote on legislation.
• The Library of Congress, the research library for Congress and the oldest federal cultural institution.  Thomas Jefferson sold his personal collection of books to the library to help grow its collection.
• The White House, which is the President's residence.
• The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which is where our money is printed.
• The Supreme Court, hosts the highest court in the country.
• The Kennedy Center, the busiest preforming arts facility in the United States and administered by a bureau of the Smithsonian Institution.
• The FBI Education Center guides visitors with a look into the agency's work and role in protecting our country.

Thank you for your continued interest in Congress and for supporting my efforts to bring Hoosier common sense to Washington. Take care.  

Sincerely,
 
Todd Rokita