U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Topeka, was part of a bipartisan congressional delegation that recently returned from a five-day trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan. “Security in this region is critical to global security and to the strategic interests of America,” Boyda said. “While remote, Afghanistan and Pakistan are strategically positioned between Iran, Russia and China – countries that are ready to leverage their influence if we and our allies fail to lead. “That makes it all the more important for the U.S. to work with our NATO allies and the Afghan people to develop and strengthen their own capabilities to defeat terrorists in that region,” she said. While in Afghanistan, Boyda said she visited and had lunch with several soldiers from Kansas.Sebelius on trail for ObamaGov. Kathleen Sebelius is scheduled to host an economic forum Friday in Evansville, Ind., for the presidential campaign of Barack Obama. The Obama campaign announcement for the program at Ivy Tech Community College says Sebelius is known for eliminating a $1.1 million debt in Kansas.Jenkins, Boyda receive farm support State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, a Republican, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Topeka, for the 2nd Congressional District seat, has received the endorsement of the Kansas Farm Bureau. “Kansans know Lynn as a hard worker and I know she’ll fight for agriculture when she’s in Congress,” said Steve Baccus, an Ottawa County grain farmer who serves as Kansas Farm Bureau president. “Growing up on a dairy farm, Lynn knows the challenges facing farmers. I couldn’t think of a better Kansan to represent us in Washington,” he said. Meanwhile, Boyda received for the second straight year the National Farmers Union’s highest award for government service. NFU President Tom Buis said of the recipients of the 2008 Golden Triangle Award: “We are pleased to honor these hard-working men and women for their commitment to addressing the challenges we face in rural America. From the new farm bill to food safety and renewable fuels, these members never backed down.”