I think we need to move very slowly and cautiously and carefully and consider that we do not know everything.

But would money and medical coverage take care of a problem----

I am just asking the questions.

The point that I am making is that we hear from certain people, and certainly yourself, that it was bad before, but it is good now.

I think that even though we do not have experts watching TV wondering what we are talking about, they certainly know that they are supposed to stay away from uranium.

I would use the word 'confusing,' but what I get from some of the witnesses is that, somehow or another, the Earth just magically contaminates itself.

OK. Can somebody else get in on this as well, the answer to the question, have native populations been harmed, and do you have other data to indicate yes or no?

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.

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

Senator Patrick Leahy and Senator Judd Gregg were instrumental in securing this support.

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.

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

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