Almost six years ago, Kentuckians elected me to serve them in the U.S. Senate and I have been privileged to represent them. It was a competitive and close race that came down to the final stretch, but we won the open seat by a mere 6,766 votes.

Yet tough competition is nothing new to me. After seventeen seasons playing major league baseball, I had my share of tight games and tough match ups on the mound. I learned that hard work, on and off the field during the regular season and off season, was the key to being successful. This same work ethic and dedication that got me elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame is now the driving force in my work as a U.S. Senator to fight for and strengthen Kentucky.

First off, I have to say that the secret weapons in my life are my faith in God and my best friend and wife Mary. She and I were both born in northern Kentucky where we met in grade school and became childhood sweethearts. After getting married, and nine children and 35 grandchildren later, my family and faith are the driving force behind my dedication to public service.

After graduating from Xavier University with a degree in Economics, and aside from my life in baseball, I have been a stock broker and served for two years on the Fort Thomas City Council, four years in the Kentucky State Senate, and twelve years representing the 4th District of Kentucky in the U.S. House of Representatives before being elected to my first term in the U.S. Senate in 1998.

I am now running for re-election to the U.S. Senate. I am proud of my record of helping to strengthen our national defense and secure our homeland, reduce the tax burden on families and allow them to keep more of their hard earned paychecks, protect Social Security and strengthen Medicare, and provide job and educational opportunities for Kentuckians. I have helped to deliver on these and other important issues for Kentuckians. But there is a lot more work yet to be done, and I am asking for your support and vote so we can continue our important work.

As the first Kentuckian in nearly 40 years to serve on the Senate Finance Committee, I have a seat at the table that influences nearly 2/3 of all federal dollars spent, as well as legislation overseeing taxes, Social Security and Medicare, trade, and health care. From my seat on this Committee, I have helped pass tax relief for Kentucky 's families, a bill to strengthen Medicare and provide a voluntary prescription drug benefit for our seniors and the disabled, and tax incentives and provisions to strengthen our coal, thoroughbred, distilling, and bio-fuels industries which employ tens of thousands of Kentuckians.

I am also a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. From this Committee, I helped pass legislation into law to put corporate crooks in jail by strengthening the hand of the federal government. And from my seat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I have been able to push Kentucky 's coal industry and bio-fuels for our farmers as part of the Senate's Energy Security Act. This not only helps us become energy independent and less reliant on foreign fuel sources, but it also helps create jobs and Kentucky 's economy.

I also serve on the Senate Veteran's Affairs Committee. I am proud to serve on this Committee to help look out for the over 350,000 veterans in Kentucky . For them, I have been able to help secure much deserved and better benefits and health care. From the Senate Budget Committee, I have taken part in submitting responsible federal budgets while highlighting priorities of Kentuckians such as veterans health care and education for our college students.

As well, I served on the Senate Armed Services Committee where I was able to secure authorization of funding for Ft. Campbell , Ft. Knox , and the Bluegrass Army Depot. This funding helped to strengthen the missions of these bases and better train our soldiers for combat and warfare as they fight the War on Terrorism. I also secured funding for our defense contractors in Kentucky who build the weapons and technology systems to protect Americans at home and abroad.

We have made progress and positively impacted the lives of Kentuckians in Congress, and I am excited about this year's U.S. Senate campaign. I hope you will join our re-election efforts to continue to build on our successes for the Commonwealth. Many of you are old friends, but it is also good to see so many new young faces as Mary and I travel across Kentucky . After all, what we do today affects tomorrow's Kentucky . And as your U.S. Senator, I will always act and use my judgment to the best interests of Kentuckians above all else.