Mark Begich

I think, Mayor, you would probably agree with that in a broad sense, not the specifics, but that last statement.

We live in a time that cries out for innovation, but unfortunately, we have to create the innovation within a bureaucracy.

We know that you have not forgotten where you came from, and we know that we have a real friend here in the Senate.

Thank you all very much. I appreciate your time and thank you for being at the panel here.

We probably do not do enough of this, and it is something I am trying to do with this Committee and another committee that I chair, and that is better oversight not just when something bad happens but--you know.

It may be a terrorist act as we saw in Boston or a natural disaster in Galena.

We have to be much smarter about it.

This split between terrorism and natural hazards, when you get to the ground level, really does not exist.

No one would have anticipated what happened in Hurricane Sandy, for example, 10 years ago.

Are we preparing for the natural disasters, or are we preparing for terrorism?

You have kind of got two pressures going on--the minimums and then the high risk--and then what is left is----

In order to take care of the four.

It should be, again, based on risk.

Galena is not a terrorist location, but there is a flood disaster. So you have different risk levels on different levels.

There has to be a better understanding of how we measure these grants and success.

If we're required to put the voice on, then a corporate--'corporation,' that's now defined as a person by the Supreme Court, I hope that I'd see their voice--that they'd find their voice and put it on an ad.

Will you ensure, wherever possible, that members of the FCC will show up at these hearings?

We would say it's out of whack.

Even before the Supreme Court's decision in Salazar v. Ramah Navajo Chapter, the Indian Health Service (IHS or Agency) devoted significant resources to resolving claims for unpaid contract support costs (CSC) in past years.

They look to you as their advocate. That means not just behind closed doors but in public.

I want to make you successful because if you are successful, then we know our tribes will be successful.

I feel at times being an advocate means truly stepping out of the box and telling people they are wrong on certain issues.

I tell you, the Administration is wrong, absolutely wrong on this.

I will be honest with you that many in my State, as well as other States I have talked to, are not satisfied with the leadership within the Indian Health Service.

PVA is pleased to see this legislation put forward by Sen. Begich and fully supports it.