Mr. Chairman, you and I are both here today for one simple reason, the status quo is not working.

I appreciate the opportunity to work with you as we address these important regional issues.

On the issue of crab rationalization which is before us now, I am confident that we will be able to work together.

Nobody has mentioned the 100-million-loan buyout program, and I know that it is in the rulemaking process.

I believe the concept of processor quotas is fundamentally anti-competitive and bad public policy.

Today's 'race to fish' is dangerous, it leads to unsustainable harvests, and it has forced an uneconomic overcapitalization of both the fishing fleet and processor facilities.

However, I don't think anyone here today would dispute that the current system is broken and that we must act.

What is wrong with the concept that Mr. Fraser said in having one arbitrator have analysis--basically having an information database that has all the information and setting what is a fair minimum price so that there can be a starting…

I appreciate your continued leadership on these issues and I look forward to working with you and Senator Murray.

Let me turn to Amtrak. I earlier pointed out that you are seeking a 22 percent cut in the total level of funding for Amtrak.

Mr. Secretary, your FAA administrator is about to enter into new labor negotiations with most of her unions, and one thing that could certainly sour those negotiations is the current talk we have heard about the potential for furloughs of…

I would just say that I think there is a real concern that we are not hiring those fast enough to meet that 3-year requirement.

I second what Senator Brownback was discussing with you in terms of the airline industry.

I think it is a very important question, Mr. Secretary, and we would like to hear from you as soon as possible.

I joined with you in that decision and with the help of your FTA Administrator and Inspector General, a lot of progress has been made.

Our country's firefighters are clearly one of the most crucial lines of first response in the protection of our communities.

But it is a program that provides to specific industries, correct?

Unfortunately, the fiscal year 2004 budget request for the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) fails to recognize the workforce needs of this country.