Dear NFL,

I would like to personally thank the hosts of the upcoming 2006 Lincoln Financial Group/National Forensic League National Speech Tournament, Mrs. Cindi Timmons of Colleyville Heritage High School and Ms. Jane Boyd of Grapevine High School (featured on this month's cover). Both of these fine coaches along with the members of the Bluebonnet Nationals host committee have worked tirelessly to provide a wonderful summer experience for our members.

Six Flags over Texas is sure to be one of the more incredible sites for an opening ceremony. Real "Texas" bar-b-que, a professional music performance, and lots of great rides should set the stage for a tremendous start to the tournament.

The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD schools will provide the most "user friendly" environment for coaches, judges, and students in tournament history. The proximity of the hotels and high schools will make travel distance and time schedules extremely convenient.

The Hyatt Regency DFW Airport Hotel will be the setting for many of the tournaments more public events. National Tournament registration, the National Student Congress, both the Thursday and Friday National Finals including the Schwan's Diamond Coach Awards, as well as the National Awards Ceremony will be hosted at the Hyatt Regency DFW.

It is the pleasure of the NFL to come to the great state of Texas for the 2006 National Speech Tournament. The state of Texas has one of the proudest and longest NFL traditions. Again, thank you to the local hosts for their hard work and dedication to the NFL as they prepare to host over 5,000 NFL members this summer.

Thank you Texas!!