Today Allan Burns of Lawrenceville officially became a candidate for U.S. Congress by qualifying to run as a Democrat in Georgia’s 7^th District. Burns sited the failed policies of the last five years and a lack of representation in the 7^th District as reasons he decided to challenge long-time incumbent John Linder. After qualifying, Allan Burns provided the following statement:

“It is time for a change in Washington and time for a change in the 7^th District. We have witnessed failure after failure by this administration and Congress in meeting the enormous challenges that threaten our nation. We face a war in Iraq with an uncertain outcome that has cost billions of dollars and the death or serious injury of thousands of our bravest men and women. We face rising gasoline prices and an increasing dependence on foreign oil with no plan for immediate relief or a comprehensive plan for making America energy independent. We have a health care system that is broken and 47 million uninsured. Federal spending is out of control and the federal government is running record deficits that will burden our children and our children’s children. And the middle-class in America is under attack and headed for extinction. It is time for new leadership in Congress that will not cower from the hard decisions, but attack these issues head on with practical and thoughtful solutions.”

“It seems everyday we learn of a new corruption scandal or some new pork-barrel spending project or some new abuse of power. It is clear to me that John Linder and many of the current members of Congress no longer represent the people who elected them to office. Instead, they represent the interests of lobbyists and special interests and well-connected individuals and companies at the expense of average Americans. A small number of individuals and groups have exercised too much control over members of Congress and this must end. It is time we make Congress work for all of us, and I pledge to represent everyone in the 7^th District, and to do what is best for our community, or state and our nation.”

Allan Burns is new to politics, having spent the better part of the last thirty-five years helping raise a family and running a small business. He is a lifelong resident of Georgia, born in Atlanta and growing up in Decatur where he attended public schools and later graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in urban government. After graduation, Allan worked for the DeKalb County Planning Department for seven years on a variety of issues including transportation, housing and economic development.

In 1979, Allan Burns started a small business renovating older homes for resell in Decatur and later formed a residential remodeling company. For the past 18 years, he has been involved in commercial construction and is currently a partner in an Atlanta construction company with projects throughout the southeast. Allan and his wife Beverly have six grown children and one grandchild. Beverly recently returned to school and graduated from Georgia State University with a master’s degree in counseling and works with mental health patients in Gwinnett County.

Allan Burns identifies several issues that his campaign is focusing on. “First, we must restore ethics, integrity and accountability to Congress, and we must restore fiscal discipline and a balanced budget. Second, we need to address the rising cost of gasoline and develop a national commitment and a comprehensive plan for achieving energy independence that follows John F. Kennedy’s challenge to put a man on the moon. This is critical to our economy, the environment and our national security. Third, we need a plan to provide all Americans with access to affordable health care. This is not only morally right but also fiscally responsible. And finally, we must refocus our efforts to defeat terrorism and insure our national security and homeland security. We must do more to secure our ports, rail systems, chemical and nuclear plants, and other critical infrastructure.”