I would like to follow up on Senator Lugar's questioning about Nigeria. I was there in both 2006 and 2007--before the elections, and during the elections in 2007--and couldn't agree more that governance is a major issue there, as we look…

I certainly would agree with that, that the Governors in Nigeria, by and large, did not share the commitment to transparency, and corruption was rampant.

I'm proud to be an original co-sponsor of the Upper Connecticut River Partnership Act along with Senator Leahy, Senator Gregg and Senator Sanders.

I have to say I do disagree with you, however, with respect to S. 1117 which would address the Connecticut River Watershed.

You can see why Sharon is so good at what she does.

The Upper Connecticut River Partnership Act establishes a grant and technical assistance program to carry out conservation, restoration, as well as historic and cultural preservation efforts in the Upper Connecticut River Watershed.

Unfortunately the local efforts and the State involvement has not been able to deal with the long term needs that exist.

They don't need someone from the Park Service coming in and telling them how to build a trail.

I have long supported the importance of research to find cures for diabetes and other diseases.

We have to support research. We have to make sure that help is there to find this cure.

What's it going to take to do that, and is there any reason to believe that there is an interest or a willingness on their part to come back to the table?

Small businesses employ about one-third of America's scientists and engineers and produce more patents than large businesses and universities.

As a Senator from New Hampshire, I take particular pride in the SBIR program.

Many New Hampshire small businesses have successfully competed for SBIR funding over these past 27 years.

I would like to pick up on Senator Udall's comment about the importance of small business.

I appreciate, as Senator McCain said there has been a change relative to storage of nuclear waste.

We're going to introduce the nominees briefly. Then I'm going to ask Senator Murkowski if she would like to make a statement.

I certainly agree with you that energy efficiency is the fastest, cheapest way for us to address our energy needs.