Ben Bernanke, the Chair of the Federal Reserve, has been suggesting that our economy may be out of recession.

From my perspective, what you have told us is that we have seen a leveling off of this job loss. However, we are still facing significant issues here.

we want to make sure they have a job, and it's difficult

That's 4.9 percent, and then what is the unemployment rate for high school graduates?

one of the ones I keep hearing about at home is the First-Time Homebuyers' Tax Credit

I don't believe that that is the answer.

I was thinking back to the policies that got us there. We had eight years where, basically--there's plenty of blame to go around.

Do you know much about the history of these extensions of unemployment benefits, and if they were set at a certain rate, which unemployed get them and which don't?

So the major sector that we're having the major debate about and would be arguably facing the greatest uncertainty has actually, in its response to government policies, has actually seen increases in employment?

I think that's because most of the money was used in the private sector.

I am much more interested in looking forward, and, from what I've heard from economists, this idea--and we've seen it in countries all over the world--of stimulating the economy is part of the solution.

I got an interesting letter from one of my constituents that said that, well, maybe Minnesota's rate is eight percent, but at her household, it's a hundred percent.

What was it someone said, Wall Street sneezed and Main Street got a pneumonia.

Didn't you tell me before that actually an increase in temporary help can be a sign; that that's what companies do first, they hire these temporary workers, so it can be a good sign that it's going to lead later.

So, how many--when you include, forgetting the marginally attached ones, if you include these people that want to work full-time, but are only working part-time, who have significantly reduced hours and significantly reduced money as a…

Okay, so, in other words, it actually has moderated?

I think it's very important.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and on behalf of the Senate, I would also like to offer my deepest condolences to Chairwoman Maloney and her family.