I congratulate them on their nominations, and thank them for their willingness to serve in these important positions.

Lieutenant General Van Antwerp, what is the design life of these new facilities versus type 5 construction methods?

Requirements should be developed so that small and mid-sized businesses are able to compete.

Beijing's regional and global aspirations are growing, and properly managing this relationship is vital.

I, for one, feel ever so strongly, based on personal work with him over a period of several years, on his extensive biographical material, this officer is more than qualified to handle those positions.

Last week's agreement might be a first step on the path to a denuclearized Korean peninsula, but that is far from certain.

by accepting a lower design life for these new buildings in order to keep costs down, are we building a legacy of 'World War II wood' where entire bases of failing buildings will have to be torn down and replaced in 30 years?

Lieutenant General Van Antwerp, to what extent does the Corps of Engineers rely on the use of 'cost-plus' contracts for construction activities?

There are a number of ideas circulating about the ways in which we can strengthen our already robust bilateral ties with Japan.

I do not want to belabor it, but there is a series of quotes.

We had a failed policy and we are not winning.

PACOM plays a vital role in providing stability and deterrence in support of this diplomatic effort.

I believe it is abundantly clear that we are at a point in Iraq where we are going to have to succeed within in the coming months or we are going to have to experience catastrophic consequences associated with it.

In recent days the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General Abizaid's designated successor Admiral Fallon have all stated we are not winning and we had a failed strategy.

So you disagree with the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Fallon that we had a failed policy?

I am grateful for your extraordinary service and personal sacrifice throughout your career.

We have a strategy and a plan for success in Iraq and we are broadly on track in achieving our goals.

I would like to give you a quote. There are many quotes, but one I would be interested in your response to.