Alaska is America's Arctic energy breadbasket.

Let us not be led down the easy path to invest America's foreign aid dollars in exploration abroad.

That's the only way to prevent what has happened in the past few years, when environmental reviews and other regulatory standards have been so poorly applied that it forced us into court, which is not where we want to engage with the…

Most in the United States, I would dare say, do not believe or do not think of the United States as an Arctic nation.

I think we recognize that for purposes of just identifying that which we believe rightfully should be ours is important.

We can actually prepare because we have got somewhat of a blank slate out there.

Are these assets important? To those that understand them, of course!

We recognize that the existing infrastructure up north is limited at best and nonexistent in some cases.

Alaska is America's Arctic. It is our home. It is our history, our heritage, and our future.

I hope the Congress will remember this as you determine America's new role as an Arctic Nation.

Our challenge will be to make sure that we have actually put things in place before we see the level of activity increase.

Alaska can play an even greater role in reducing the amount of oil and gas we import from abroad.

I would like to thank Chairman Bingaman for holding this hearing today, and our nominees for their willingness to serve.

I look forward to working with Mr. Garcia regarding the role that DOE can play with regard to improving the affordability and reliability of energy for native Alaskans as this nomination process continues.

I will be working with you as we advance this legislation.

I look forward to an interesting discussion with Mr. Norris, our FERC nominee.

This legislation is a step toward justice for Native Hawaiians.

This marker in history forces us to reflect on history and the history of the indigenous people of our States.

With the reestablishment of this position as Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs, which I think is a very good thing, a good direction.

As much as we all hope for the creation and expansion of other economic sources of energy, we must continue to invest in technologies that will allow the growth of these, our largest sources of domestically produced energy.

I had sent to Secretary Chu a letter that outlined my concerns and actually my disappointment over the administration's position on Yucca Mountain.

I'm pleased that the administration has decided to reinstate the position of Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs.

I certainly do encourage that level of awareness, education, and training to follow through with the law that the Congress has passed.

This position has more impact on my State than any other State, as 65 percent of the lands controlled by the National Park Service are located within the State of Alaska.

I'm pleased to be here today to discuss wild land fire management by Federal agencies.