Dear Friends,

As you likely have heard, after fourteen years in politics and as we look toward completion of my sixth term next year, I have decided not to seek reelection in 2010. Serving our country and representing the people of Southwest Washington in Congress has been the highest honor and greatest responsibility of my life. I am incredibly grateful to the voters who have entrusted me with this responsibility. I am also profoundly appreciative of my family for their support and for my staff and all of the friends, supporters and volunteers who have helped along the way.

There is no way to adequately express in words the deep sense of gratitude and humility I feel toward all those who have been there with me through challenges and successes, through national tragedies and triumphs. I have had the privilege of serving our nation through truly historic times and I have done my utmost to listen, work hard, tell the truth and do what was best for this nation. With two young children who deserve more of my attention and care, the time has now come to pursue other options, other ways of serving our country. This is not an easy decision to be sure, but I believe it is the right decision for my family at this time and I hope and trust my friends will understand and support this choice.

I look forward to serving the remainder of this Congress with the same level of commitment I have always given the people of this district. There is much yet to be done for our region and our nation and I fully intend to be part of that work during the remainder of my term in office and in new ways when that term has ended.

We wish you a joyous and happy holiday season and send our warmest wishes to you for a peaceful and prosperous new year. I hope we will all keep our service members, civilian personnel and others deployed away from home in our hearts and prayers and that we will do whatever we can to help those in need this season and throughout the year.

Most sincerely and gratefully yours,

Brian, Rachel, Walter and William