OK, great.

Countries in the developing world with major extractive industries are often regarded as suffering from the so-called 'resource curse.'

EITI has been a very, very helpful tool.

We publicly expressed our concern over the Government of Bahrain's recent decrees restricting the rights and abilities of political groups to assemble, associate, and express themselves freely.

I think the mere fact that we are having it marks our Nation as exceptional.

I think we are still the best hope, Madam Chair, for people struggling for human rights around the world.

It was to combat this situation that Congress mandated that the Securities and Exchange Commission enact increased transparency rules on resource extraction projects as part of the Dodd-Frank Act.

We need to get more U.S. companies out there to compete with Chinese and other companies from around the world.

We are not a country that turns tail when decisions do not go our way.

I believe that it is in our national interest to support the Cuban people's desire to determine their future freely.

When we confront hard challenges like these, it is tempting to say things like, 'we have no good options,' and 'our influence is limited.'

I believe such a resolution should not only acknowledge the progress that Burma has made so far, but should also continue to address human rights problems and underscore the need for the government to make continued progress over the long…

If confirmed, I will work closely with the EU, which will likely sponsor the resolution again this year, to ensure that this year's resolution accurately reflects our concerns.

It is very hard to explain to people in that situation that we cannot be there for everybody every time.

The promotion and protection of human rights in China is in the U.S. national interest.

I am deeply concerned about the ongoing crackdown against ethnic minority groups in China, including Tibetans, Uighurs, and Mongolians, as well as public interest lawyers, Internet activists, journalists, religious leaders, and others who…

I also believe that the resolution should welcome the government's continuing efforts to improve the human rights situation in Burma and pursue political and economic reform as well as call for measures to address our continuing concerns.

It is in our national interest to see a Middle East and north Africa that is peaceful and prosperous; and we will continue to promote democracy, human rights, and inclusive economic growth.