Okay. Now, let me ask you, on the stimulus bill projects, how did you decide what projects were going to be funded?

Can you share with us how you determined what the cleanup level would be?

The timetable in which you're going to do it, that's negotiated, as well?

Okay. Let's just start right there.

Well, thank you for recognizing me, and also thank you for convening this hearing.

the industry's recent accident record is simply unacceptable.

I think there are issues that reach a certain level that we can't ignore them and we must address them.

We don't want the cure, though, to be worse than the problem that we are experiencing.

I appreciated your opening remarks. Very well said.

I think that we can take from this hearing.

We have made significant progress in meeting veterans medical needs, but we have a much larger challenge to assist our veterans who are challenged with addiction, mental health problems and homelessness.

I will continue to put my full support behind efforts to provide the necessary funds and services to our local veterans.

While we have made progress with the hospital, we need a strong Federal commitment to finish the much needed veterans medical facility.

The need is, in fact, great.

I've listened to more than a few panels during my public service, but I don't think, besides the last two, I've ever heard from multiple people speaking with the same vision and basically the same way to get there.

I think we also owe a debt of gratitude to our predecessors, Congressmen Dr. Weldon, Ric Keller, Tom Feeney, even as far back as Lou Frey, who worked so hard at getting this project off the ground.

I am pleased to say that the local hospital for our veterans is well on its way to becoming a reality for all those who have waited for so long.

East-Central Florida has been in need of a veterans hospital for quite some time.