Mark Begich

There's no question that he had incredible impact on all of us across this state and will be remembered for generations to come.

We commend Senator Begich for his efforts, and those of his colleagues, on this important matter.

These requests are included as part of the C-J-S bill at the request of Senators Begich and Murkowski.

I respectfully request that when this Committee, and you individually, consider changes to Arctic Policy, that you seek out input from all Arctic communities.

Climate change is an important issue--probably the defining issue of our time.

The economy is better. The amount of cash that corporations have today than they had before is greater.

In order to move the economy forward, do any of you disagree that the combination of your ideas, some short term and long term, is what is necessary, not one or the other?

OK. Silence is approval. That is how I operate.

I am one of the few in this whole U.S. Senate that is a small business person.

I want to thank the Ranking Member, Senator Gregg, and Senator Wyden who have proposed a piece of legislation on tax policy.

In the modern security environment, it is increasingly important that the United States moves quickly to accede to the UNCLOS.

The national security concerns of the United States and the tools that may be used to address them are broad and varied.

DOD needs to contribute to training and exercising these civilian forces with U.S. military forces so that they will be able to operate effectively together.

The arctic represents a promising region for international cooperation.

What one thing would you recommend, if any, that should be done to increase the level of security and privacy to the users of your facilities?

I consider some of this like the catalog business on steroids.

You do not have enough money--I'm going to tell you that--from the research and the capacity to research and develop oil-spill technology.

I don't like foreign oil--produces about $300 million a year for NOAA and Coast Guard and other activities.

I mean, back then, we didn't have a cell phone. Today, we have incredible technology around just using our phone and iPads and everything else. Where has the improvement occurred, if there has been any improvement? Honestly, I don't see it.

I think tomorrow we're going to do some markup on it here in this committee, in the broader committee.

It would be great if, as you attend... you would take that as an action item kind of a meeting.

I think this might be one of the first times for you.

I encourage you, as you work--again, back to the Alaska issues--to continue to reach out to the veteran communities and our office.

If a person walks in there and says, 'I am an advocate,' they are an advocate.

It is not about someone having to find these services. It is an advocate who reaches out and gets the services to the members who earned them and deserve them.