It just doesn't make sense.

I sympathize with your loss, your two losses, but also the nine other families that need also be recognized.

It should be a separate issue.

If I can just interrupt before someone else answers, based on obviously the larger issue, which is the blowout and the spill, which is a whole different set of circumstances, is this something you think we should accelerate, some more…

Because we estimate this is probably a 30, 40, 50, depending on what day it is, billion dollar project.

I think if we move forward with many of the recommendations in the National Broadband Plan, then we'll be doing just what you want us to be doing.

I don't have a lot of faith yet that the transition from the Fund to the new Connect America Fund will ensure that places, like mine and others here, who have very, very rural communities, are going to get that investment, that connection.

I appreciate your comment that, 'If we think there's a problem, we'll come to you.' But, keep moving forward.

I knew someone would take the bait.

Do you think they have the authority to do whatever kind of reimbursable contracting or anything of that nature to bring those resources to bear as they need them for a project of that magnitude?

Do you think PHMSA has the capacity, staffing, and authority to deal with these large projects in a timely manner?

People hate this when I bring this up at these meetings, but I used to be a mayor.

Alaska and Hawaii are the only two states in the Nation that do not have approved state pipeline safety programs.

I think I'm coming at it with my same--because I'm an elected county council member, too.

I do believe this is a huge opportunity that both the DOD and the VA can really exploit in a positive way.

What are you using to get these doctors to get on step with telemedicine? Because that is the future, when it comes to mental health services, especially in a State like mine...

I rise to introduce legislation requiring BP and other oil companies to set aside ample funding in an escrow account controlled--not by the company but by the Federal Government-- to address the damage and claims from a major catastrophic…

I mean, why people patent here--this is my assessment--is, we have some of the best patent laws.

How will the joint missile defense assessment with Russia affect U.S. policy towards missile defense?

Are there any types of ballistic missile defense (BMD) activities or policies the United States plans to avoid or delay to diminish the chances that the Russians will withdraw from the New START?

it's all Federal monies regardless of which Federal agency provides the care, the VA or the IHS.

I think the higher the elevation you can give it, the better off we are.

I will say this, and I appreciate that, because I know when you do these programs, sometimes you want to just keep going down the path, but this is a moment, I think, where we can make a shift, reexamine it, and probably have a much more…

it is all Federal monies, regardless of which Federal agency is providing that care, the IHS or the VA.

There is no more rural State than Alaska in the sense of delivery of services and how you can get from one point to the next.