I share the concerns of many of my colleagues with what is happening down in Mexico with the battles we are having with the drug cartels.

I applaud your efforts on this front, but as you no doubt are aware, we need to do more.

A struggling education system with consistently low scores and crumbling schools.

These needs of New Mexico tribes are replicated across the nation.

Secretary Salazar, I would like to begin by congratulating you on your confirmation to serve in President Obama's cabinet.

High crime rates and a dilapidated system of prisons and jails need to be fixed.

This public health and environmental disaster left a trail of contamination and sickness that must be addressed.

We need economic development in Indian Country, and for the inclusion of Indian Country in the new Administration's economic recovery efforts.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony.

Thank you for this opportunity to testify. My Summit colleagues and I welcome your questions, and we appreciate your thoughtful policymaking and support on this vital matter.

We appreciate your interest in and leadership on this issue.

I commend the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for this hearing examining the DOE Loan Guarantee program.

I thank the Chairman and the Committee for this opportunity and your ongoing support of tribal energy development and the needs of Indian communities nationwide.

I urge Congress and DOE to demonstrate that they share this commitment and to develop a solution as soon as possible this year.

Establishing an entirely new institution is a heroic undertaking, however, and it is not clear that such an initiative is necessary.

This hearing is both timely and important, given the program's challenges to date and the possibility it may expand dramatically.

He indicated that the Department is going to do all it can to move ahead with a generation of green jobs.

I look forward to the opportunity to work with this Committee to overcome the obstacles to participation.