Mark Begich

I want you to know, not only my State but other States have issues around this.

If everything breaks down and we cannot get to a bigger package, if there is one thing we could do, in my personal opinion, this is it

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the service and the sacrifice, not only as an individual but also as a family.

Do you have the capacity to get rid of people who are not--it is human nature in any organization change that you are going to have a percentage that will not adapt.

What are you going to do to dramatically change that culture? Are you going to be able to do and have the wherewithal to say to them we are not doing business that way.

I am just a little frustrated. I know a lot of you folks are new to the process here. But I am frustrated that we are not--it is one of the largest units, and we can't audit ourselves.

There are certain projects that clearly have social benefits that make them worth investing in, but they're not going to generate a revenue stream.

From my perspective from Alaska, you know, we have small projects that can't compete against these large projects, and we will lose every time.

The training of policies should include all levels of governments which will help in defining roles and responsibilities should future events occur.

Cuba will not come to the table.

Can you tell me, you know--and I will be very Alaska-centric here for a second in regards to the Arctic and the Arctic development--

I know the legislation, you know, one of the thoughts is try to do an 80-20 split.

I think the more you can do that, the better.

It's a good question, it's a good point for later down the road, too.

In essence, there'll be a gap between the response this year and the impact that may be felt years down the road.

The appropriate restoration activities that should be undertaken, particularly by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), but other entities as well, including in the watershed.

Thank you for this opportunity to participate in this timely hearing concerning the lessons from the Gulf Oil Spill and how we might do things better.

I think it would be very interesting as you develop the response to that, or how it comes about.

Your recommendations and thoughts on that will be critical.

Can you for the record do two responses on that?

Can you provide that?

I think a part of our role should be to assist to make sure their standards equal.

I think we need to know that because of the work.

I'd make that as a formal request of the Committee, that you could respond to that.

I'll never forget--when I went to one of the centers, the command centers, and it was explained to me that the Coast Guard was in control 51 percent, and BP was in control 49 percent. Well, that doesn't work.