It is a privilege and honor for me to be your first witness of your first hearing.

Italy is such a strategically located country with respect to northern Africa and southern Europe.

It is a very important issue for the United States and for Austria--energy diversification.

I expect the Iraqis to hold the guilty parties responsible for their actions.

I believe the President's plan provides a renewed opportunity to work more closely on environmental advocacy with the Holy See.

If confirmed and I am serving there as an Ambassador for the United States, I will want to really continue to develop that relationship because it has been so important to us.

The Holy See has no battalions, has no nuclear arsenals, but it has credibility and influence around the world.

Until then it is my view we must maintain and increase pressure on the regime in order to ensure the success that we want.

One of the issues, of course, that we have is this ongoing effort by Russia to use natural gas as an economic weapon.

I would like to increase trade and use TTIP as a tool to do so.

Ambassador Roos has lamented the decline in the number of Japanese students coming to the United States.

I would also like to know your views on the next steps moving forward in Egypt to realize the promise we had hoped for from the events in Tahir Square in 2011.

Human rights and democracy are core U.S. values that will remain a priority in our relationship with countries in the region, including Bahrain.

I think your uncle Ted is really proud of you sitting here.

I support Secretary Kerry's efforts and believe that we must continue to keep the Palestinians at the table engaged in face to face negotiations with the Israelis.

We roll up our sleeves and we get ready for the next round.

You are really the pluperfect embodiment of someone who has dedicated her life to helping other people.

Freedom of religion is critical to a peaceful, inclusive, and thriving society, and supporting it is a critical component of U.S. foreign policy.