Major General Rubenstein, we often hear that although the post-deployment health assessments are performed by a high percentage of soldiers returning from combat, many who are referred for follow-up care never obtain it.

What is the source of data on suicide attempts within DOD?

what is your Service providing now in leadership training for noncommissioned officers (NCOs) regarding suicide prevention

What is your definition of a public health epidemic?

I think it is a wise investment in these economic down times that we live in here at home.

I was very encouraged and excited after our meeting that we can contribute to what I think is an important dialog when it comes to the war on our Southern border.

I think the critical--it is the recognition that we see increasingly throughout the country that part of what fuels this violence in Mexico are the flows of weapons and money south.

We've seen some progress in financial markets, absolutely. But until we get that stabilized and working normally we're not going to see recovery. But we do have a plan. We're working on it.

I do think that we will get it stabilized and we'll see the recession coming to an end probably this year. We'll see recovery beginning next year, and it'll pick up steam over time.

the financial system must be regulated, to quote him, "as a whole, in a holistic way,"

Any new systemic risk authority should rely on the information assessments and supervisor and regulatory programs of existing financial supervisors and regulators whenever possible.

You said something to me that was pretty intriguing, that you have been able to manage the health care costs of the veteran population significantly without the inflationary costs associated with Medicare.

I think we have the best system in the world and do not ever lose sight of that.

I would really encourage you to do that because there are a lot of teaching hospitals, university hospitals, private organizations that serve veterans, that if you combined the two funding pools you would have a better service for the…

Would you feel that way about social security? Why should a social security recipient be entitled to paid representation and a veteran not?

As a matter of fact, to me it is a very disturbing event that could really send the wrong signal to the wrong people at the wrong time.

I think we need to think in terms of long-term security interests and Iraq could become a very stable partner in the future.

If actions taken by the administration, the Congress and federal government are successful in restoring some measure of financial stability, and only if that is the case, in my view, there is a reasonable prospect that the current…