To all my supporters:

Happy New Year to everyone.  We are quickly approaching the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama and a beginning of a new chapter in American government.  It has been exciting to see the President-elect go about selecting his cabinet and those who will give him advice and information.  We are in difficult times, and who our new President chooses to surround him will be a key element as to how America move’s forward. I know we all wish President-elect Barack Obama success as he guides our nation in the coming months and years.

The suspense is now over.  Denver Public School Superintendant Michael Bennet will be Colorado’s new junior Senator to the 111th Congress.  Although this choice was a surprise to many, I think Senator-designate Michael Bennet will serve Colorado well.  His credentials and past accomplishments indicate that any shortfall in experience he may have will be covered by his talent for listening and quickly learning what he needs to do to succeed.  The great plus is that he will be an experienced voice and strong advocate for improving how we provide education for our kids.  Despite all the urgent issues we have with the economy, we must not lose sight that education for our children is an investment in our future.  Without quality education as a priority for every child, there is no future.

The economy, economy, economy -- it is still very much the economy.  December unemployment figures reveal that the US economy lost another 524,000 jobs, pegging the unemployment rate at 7.2%.  With a total net loss of 2.6 million jobs in 2008, it marks last year as the worst year for employment since the end of WWII.  The loss of income to this many Americans is frightening, as is the prospect that an equal number of people, or more, are now without health insurance. How did our government fail to see this coming?  How we missed seeing the gathering storm is no less important than understanding how we failed to see 9/11 coming.  Knowing why is not so we can place blame (although there is a part of me wanting to take to task those who have brought so much pain to so many), but to insure that we learn from the mistakes, undo how we got here, and prevent our economy from suffering such a disastrous hit in the future.

I have not made a decision on whether to run for Congress again or not.  My campaign still has a sizable debt which, unfortunately, is a major consideration for me in weighing another run for public office.  It is my hope that you will help me retire this debt.  Donations are being accepted at the campaign website for a limited time via credit card.  No contribution is too small.  You may also contribute at ActBlue: (https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/19455, or if you prefer, checks made out to “Hank Eng for Congress” may be sent to:

Hank Eng for Congress

5435 S Geneva Street

Englewood, CO 80111-6208
2010 will be an interesting election cycle.  I thank each and every one of my supporters. You have helped me every inch of the way, and you have been an inspiration.  Please accept my best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.

Hank