It's trick, not treat, for thousands of Florida children this Halloween, thanks to Rep. Connie Mack and his vote against the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

   Last week marked the third time Rep. Mack has voted against measures to fund health care for the country's estimated nine million children who remain uninsured, including 190,000 living right here in Florida.

   SCHIP has already been vetoed once by President Bush, and he's threatened to do the same with a revised version of the bill on his desk right now. Each time, Rep. Mack has gone along with the White House, voting against this important legislation. Many of his colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, have put politics aside in favor of providing health care for the children who need it the most. But NOT Rep. Connie Mack.

   Larry Byrnes recognizes the overwhelming benefits of SCHIP. Larry believes the program has proven to be fiscally responsible, efficient, and effective, cited as one of the most successful collaborations between state and federal government. Rep. Mack, on the other- hand, claims it to be an expansion of government-run health care.

   Larry supports long-term, sustainable solutions like SCHIP, as opposed to those that pander to the most vocal, or the most powerful. He also knows the importance of giving children a healthy start to life, having served as an educator for more than 40 years. Larry says,

   "Since the start of the 110th Congress, more than 547,451 children have been denied health care. Overall, there are nine million uninsured children in the United States. Surely, the richest nation in the world can provide critical health care for its future teachers, doctors, scientists, artists, musicians and political leaders. Surely, our vision extends beyond our own interests to those of our children and grandchildren. Afterall, we have a long and honored tradition of support for the underdog who with a little help will become gainfully employed, law abiding and contributing members of society."

   In Congress, Larry will standup for well-established, innovative programs like SCHIP, working with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle in an effort to provide Floridians and all Americans with the support they need to lead happy and productive lives. Now that will be a real "treat."