We need to shift our approach from meeting existing demand to driving demand.

And where are we with setting a wait time goal?

We look forward to working with all of your agencies and giving you the statutory authority necessary, the political support necessary, and the funding necessary to meet our 100 million international visitors goal.

Thank you for leading on these issues over the years with Senator Blunt.

If we are not ready to receive travelers, our efforts are for naught.

Today's hearing will examine the Federal Government's efforts to reach our Nation's goal of attracting 100 million international visitors annually by the year 2021.

Federal efforts and programs that exist today must be maintained and improved to enhance economic opportunities for Native communities.

I want to thank Chairman Tester and Vice Chairman Barrasso for holding this important hearing today on the need to encourage greater investment in Native communities and to enhance opportunities for Native enterprise development.

AIANTA wholeheartedly supports the NATIVE Act, and the AIANTA Board of Directors has endorsed it unanimously.

Water is necessary to produce many forms of energy.

The ongoing drought in many parts of the country coupled with the need to curtail certain power plants because of insufficient water supplies demonstrates the critical connection between energy and water.

The term energy/water nexus is very popular these days and for good reason.

Energy is required to move and treat water.

Today we will receive testimony on S. 1971, the Nexus of Energy and Water for Sustainability Act of 2014, also known as the NEWS Act.

The diversity of our Native nations as well as the level of self-determination they exercise in the United States is found nowhere else in the world.

And those 450 overturned claims, that was because the veteran had appealed after they had been rejected?

I too would just like to recognize my colleague Ms. Duckworth, and echo her comments about really understanding that this piddling over details when we are talking about constituents of ours, veterans who are here today, who are literally…

Thank you, Chair Boxer and Ranking Member Paul, Senator Menendez, for inviting me to speak today on such an important matter.