It is my hope that we can address some of the issues, like the lack of an emergency fund...

Native Americans face some of the worst housing conditions in the United States, and overcrowding is common.

The Senator would like to know your thoughts on whether the act should be amended to provide authority for an emergency reserve fund.

I am pleased that in 1996, Congress passed NAHASDA, which allows tribal housing authorities greater autonomy to design housing plans that suit their needs.

NAHASDA points to local control and local solutions to address the housing crisis facing so many in Indian country.

I believe that guaranteeing every child... receives a high-quality education is really one of our most sacred responsibilities.

I believe that education is the cornerstone of our democracy.

When everybody's in charge, nobody's in charge.

The private security forces have gotten an incredible amount of criticism in how they have done inspections.

Thank you very much gentlemen for your presentations, and of course, being willing to work with the Committee on this legislation and giving us your thoughts and ideas.

I take it that this was done prior to 911?

Perhaps when we get to the 100 percent screening of all baggage that's checked on the airlines, we could develop a system whereby my checked luggage from New Orleans to Port Everglades which then goes on a cruise ship, we know that that…

What, if anything, is different in those plans after 9/11, that were not there, or were not a part of the plan before 9/11?

One of the earliest sponsors of that legislation was Florida's U.S. Senator, Bob Graham.

the biggest threat to a ship and a cruise line is not so much one that departs from the Port of New Orleans, or the Port of Houston, and Port Everglades, or the Port of Miami, but the two greatest vulnerabilities are just like what…

The legislation that we're dealing with is the legislation that has already passed the U.S. Senate, the Port and Maritime Security Act.

I cannot tell you how delighted and how nice it is to have the Committee outside of Washington, DC.

They had strip searched Congressman John Dingel, yes.