I want to congratulate the Chair on having her very first hearing as a hearing on climate change, which is so important for our public lands and for our country.

One of the reasons why we have had such devastating fires is previous forest management plans.

This is, in fact, an important Subcommittee hearing on the defining issue of our time, which is the planetary crisis.

I respectfully disagree in the framing of this hearing as a publicity stage or publicity stunt.

I agree with Dr. Hansen, that inaction is just simply not an option.

Researchers at the University of Colorado, which I am proud to represent, are working hard to understand the health effects.

I represent the State of Colorado. In Colorado, recreational use of marijuana was legalized in 2014.

I look forward to working with him on criminal justice reform.

I appreciate that and applaud that.

this is a legal act, coming to this Nation seeking asylum. This isn't even an unlawful entry.

I am wearing this 'X' because today is Human Slavery Awareness Day. Forty million people in this world are currently in the slave market, are currently enslaved.

I am for a border wall because, according to a DHS special agent, we need to build the wall for the children.

I hope that we, as a committee, as a Congress--not necessarily in this committee, but this Congress--will look at all of the issues that are going on in the immigration system and take care, do the right thing.

ripping terrified children from their parents' arms is not the policy of neighbors.

Let there be no doubt that the decision by this administration to cruelly separate children from their parents is a stain on our country.

I have seen the cages. I have walked through the cages. I have seen the children crying.

I want to urge this committee and this Congress to not just focus on this issue of children at the border... but to also focus on the issue of what is a reality for many children that enter this country and enter the slave market.

Because of a policy put in place by this administration, unnecessary long-term harm may have been inflicted on thousands of children.