We must continue to build on the progress made in previous reauthorizations to empower native communities through self-governance.

We cannot ignore the pressing transportation investment deficit on federally managed lands.

Keeping promises starts with ensuring that Federal spending better reflects trust and treaty obligations.

Our nation is in dire need of these investments.

If we want to solve some of the problems of the Coast Guard, we have to start funding them better than we have been doing in the past.

If there is not a commitment to follow the law as written, then a draconian chilling effect will linger over all future proposed development projects in Alaska.

I have been fighting to save my sons' and my livelihood from the Pebble Mine for over a decade.

I have said from the beginning that I do not have a position for or against the mine being built.

As the late Senator Ted Stevens once said, wrong mine, wrong place.

The lack of an unbiased scientific expert on this panel just shows that this issue has never been about the process but is just an attempt to sway public opinion.

I have no confidence in this permitting process, and that the Army Corps will factor in our concerns.

We have one shot at doing this permitting process right.

The reason I ask that question is I have heard some people are claiming that they own the subsurface, and that would stop road. That is not the law, to my knowledge.

It seems that any time Alaskans want to develop their God-given resources, or even just build a road, it becomes a Federal case for the left.

I have never been for or against this project, but I am for the process.

I think it is crucially important on this issue you can testify on how good the 8(a) program is going.

And I want to thank you and the Chairman, although she is not here, and the Ranking Member for letting me sit on the Committee today. This is crucially important to the State of Alaska and especially my Alaskan Natives.

I probably won't hear it because I have to go to another meeting, but I will know what it says; later on I will read it.

But I am very excited about this. I am excited about the witnesses that will come up later.

I was involved in making Alaska Natives eligible for the 8(a) programs, and it is been a great success.

There has been some complaints from how it was set up but not from the work they did.

This program is to help Alaska Natives, American Indians, Hawaiian Natives. That is what it is set up for, and it has been a success.

It is my honor today to introduce the Alaskan witness.

This is crucially important to the State of Alaska and especially my Alaskan Natives.

I will be bird-dogging this real close.