I appreciate your actions with the Ted Stevens matter. This is something that has so troubled Alaskans to the core.

I think you knew that I was not satisfied with Mr. Welch's response to my concern, and Alaskans were certainly not satisfied with the response.

The President's fiscal year 2012 funding request of $67 million for enhanced stock assessments is an increase over the fiscal year 2010 and 2011 requests to ensure that annual catch limits are based on the best available science.

So, at this time, I would ask you, Mr. Attorney General, if you can explain, as specifically as you can, why the Justice Department did not pursue an indictment against Mr. Allen on these charges.

We are very concerned about it, having sat down with Jane Lubchenco and talked about this and the timing and the critical aspect to how you ensure that the funding tracks with the deployment so that there is no gap.

Mr. Secretary, welcome and thank you for your leadership.

What we really need is environmental data collection, mapping, integration, and all of that...

I have indicated to Alaskans that I would follow up directly with you.

The BOEM announced that as part of its ongoing litigation in the lease sales up north, that it has revised its schedule for the completion of the supplemental EIS.

I have expressed a concern about tapping into the SPR in order to reduce the price of gas just temporarily.

The GAO came out with its list of agencies and programs that are at high risk of waste, fraud, and abuse, and one of the programs that was at the top of the list was the management of Federal oil and gas leases.

I would like to ask my initial question about a decision that came out Friday of last week.

These deteriorating schools are part of a larger problem with the school system that consistently lags far behind our traditional schools.

We know that it's going to be expensive to replace them, but we also know that we have to have them.

I also have to question these large increases when other longstanding obligations languish.

I cannot understand how it can take so long for an agency to approve an air permit for a drilling rig.

To look back at Abraham Lincoln in the midst of the Civil War, who had the courage to set aside the lands that became Yosemite National Park or to look at Teddy Roosevelt.

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline is the main economic artery of my State and a major asset to our Nation's energy security and independence.

I think there are some other factors there.

The conservation outdoor activities here in the United States alone produce about 6.5 million jobs a year.

I look forward to working with you.

I look forward to your leadership in helping us get there.

And I cannot imagine what you are going through in terms of this kind of a reorganization...

It is indeed a pleasure to be working with you on this subcommittee.

I want to gain a little more understanding about ARNI.