Good afternoon everyone. For those of you who follow the Energy Committee, you know that I'm not the person who usually sits here.

I would hope that we would take every opportunity available to us to raise the issue of what is happening there and loudly demand that the world not allow this to continue.

I think the protection issue is an absolutely critical one.

We really need the broad, integrated approach; clearly.

I would hope that all of us--those of you who are headed to this part of the world would raise that issue whenever we have the opportunity.

I don't really have any more questions except to pick up on what you just said, Senator Corker.

What a difference it would make to our foreign policy if we are successful again in aggressively moving toward energy independence.

You're are absolutely correct. It does not need to be broader to increase the protections.

I mean, I guess, as I read this definition, it would address the concerns that you all were raising.

Though Afghanistan--NATO's first 'out of area' military commitment--remains the most pressing issue for the Alliance, we are here today to consider those institutional questions which will define NATO's composition, scope, relationships…

However, it was also a time to take stock of NATO's long-term future, which we intend to discuss today.

I think you've all talked about the other threats that our NATO is facing and Europe and the United States are facing: cyber security, energy security, others.

I think it's important to point out, as I'm sure everyone here knows, that last month, NATO members converged on France and Germany to celebrate the alliance's 60th anniversary.

I want to welcome you all here today and I'm honored to be joined by the ranking member of this Subcommittee, Senator Jim DeMint.

I just want to follow up on Senator Kerry's question about what more can be done to close the loopholes that exist.

There's been a lot of discussion about the conduct of the war in Afghanistan, but I guess the real alternative is United States withdrawal.

I do want to thank you for being here, for your insights, and for your sacrifices for our country.

we look forward to significantly increasing our energy efficiency investments in the state.