As I look at your Corps budget, it seems to contain a commitment to that effort, the Columbia estuaries, a new start in fiscal year 2003 and included in the budget upcoming, 2004.

Clearly, there are a lot of critical projects in my State, from transportation obstruction, water, energy, environmental projects that I have a number of questions on.

Let me just thank Senator Reid and the Chairman for their assistance with our energy and water projects in the past though.

Well, I will keep pushing the committee.

And it seems like every lock and dam on the Columbia and Snake system could use an increase of O & M funding right now.

Well, I think that is a real concern for this committee that we need to be aware of.

I guess I am kind of surprised that we are facing an operation and maintenance issue of this scale.

So it is a concern?

You've decided to sing a different song of saying, we ought to take action.

We need leaders who will not sing Nero's song, which he sang as Rome burned, which was, 'We need more research.'

This is not just an issue for women in their 40's or 50's, but for women who are in their 20's and 30's.

I am very worried that the current conflicting and confusing messages are not going to help our efforts to expand access.

Thank you very much, Madam Chairman, first for having this hearing, which I think is so important today.

I hope we do not lose our focus on that issue.

Unfortunately, tribal communities suffer disproportionately from substandard housing conditions, such as overcrowding, lack of plumbing and electricity, or lack of any housing at all.

As we reauthorize this legislation for another 5-year period, it is important that we assess the implementation of NAHASDA to identify what has worked well for tribes and what aspects need to be improved upon.

Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to meet today to discuss the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act.

I think I voted by proxy on that, but would like to be on record in support of that legislation.