I want to extend a special thanks to you, as you said, for joining me as an original co-sponsor on this important piece of legislation.

It's my hope that we can work collaboratively to improve and strengthen the legislation.

I'm here today to testify in support of S. 3303, the Chimney Rock National Monument Act of 2010.

Thank you also, for the opportunity to testify at today's hearing on the Chimney Rock National Monument Act of 2010.

I introduced this legislation earlier this month.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at 5:30 p.m. today, the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the following amendments in the order listed; that after the first vote there be 2 minutes of debate prior to the succeeding votes…

It has been recognized that those are simply Band-Aids that will contain some of the oil but probably will not contain all of the oil.

The fact of the matter is that the investigations that are underway... whatever actions have to be taken will be taken.

I will assure you of this, that the President has made it very clear, and I have made it very clear as well, that we will not move forward unless we can be absolutely safe with respect to the future of OCS oil and gas production.

We all agree with you that it is a crown jewel of our Nation.

The two Senators of that State who sit with you in this body have that same position.

From day one, there has been an effort to move forward with flow mitigation, with flow stoppage, and ultimately with sealing the well strategies.

The reform effort that we have had underway throughout the Department has included MMS from day one.

It is time to learn from this tragedy.

this incident in the Gulf Coast I think is another clarion call as to why we need to move forward in that direction.

There is a lot to learn from the nuclear world relative to safety issues.

The role of BP and the role of the Federal Government is one that needs to be understood.

It was precisely because of concerns related to the Arctic area, in the Beaufort and in the Chukchi Seas, that we ended up concluding that we would cancel 5 proposed lease sales.