I want to help patients--that is why we are in medicine, to help patients--and I do not get enough to pay the expense in my office.

I am concerned, but not surprised, that this controversy has arisen again.

I simply want to commend you for taking the initiative along with Senator Harkin on this very important issue

I have heard that a cut in the budget is not a reduction but an encouragement.

Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to meet today to discuss the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act.

As we reauthorize this legislation for another 5-year period, it is important that we assess the implementation of NAHASDA to identify what has worked well for tribes and what aspects need to be improved upon.

I think I voted by proxy on that, but would like to be on record in support of that legislation.

Unfortunately, tribal communities suffer disproportionately from substandard housing conditions, such as overcrowding, lack of plumbing and electricity, or lack of any housing at all.

Indeed, the success of NAHASDA is critical to many low-income Native Americans.

Though the NAHASDA has worked well, it is only now getting off the ground, and I believe its best days lie ahead.

I consider zeroing-out the Public Housing Drug Elimination Program, a program aimed at improving the safety at public housing developments, particularly troublesome.

I continue to be very troubled by the on-the-ground information that I get feedback on from some of the public housing authorities in New Jersey.

The idea that people would move into public housing and stay there forever was not what the original intent was.

You know, that ought to be something we deal with sometime in this committee--the history of it and how Indian people use it.

Then no excuses, right?

I think you are doing a pretty darn good job considering the problems with 9-11 and the mail.

Could you find that and get that to the committee?

Thank you for holding this hearing on the implementation of NAHASDA.