I think the services are important. My worry is the time gap, especially with chiropractic care.

I thought your answer was going to be yes. Good. Thank you very much.

I think it is a very intriguing project that would make sense to our veterans because they might get care from two providers--private as well as VA--so they can measure apples to apples.

You don't think that bill is necessary, if I read the notes right.

I understand the mathematical issue of how much acres is available, how much they selected and what is left to select, but the question is the quality of the land.

The whole purpose under ANCSA was to allow for economic opportunities to proceed and that, as Senator Begich has mentioned, is so integrated to the land.

I'm a co-sponsor of both of these measures and support your speedy passage of both.

Thank you very much, Chairman Wyden and Ranking Member Murkowski. I appreciate the opportunity to address the committee today on two important bills to Alaska.

ANCSA may be history for many in Congress, but the Act continues to define daily life in my State 40 years after its passage.

For Alaskans, it's critical that we come to agreement on this issue of the Sealaska lands bill so we can move forward on the larger issues of the future of Tongass.

In conversation between two Alaskans you're likely to get three more opinions on the same subject, so when we see a consensus the deal is obviously a good one.

We believe that Alaskans' daily connection to our lands is more intense than most of America.

I think Senator Murkowski laid out an interesting comment in regards to the lands that suddenly became available.

I hope that the Departments don't use precedent-setting as the only reason.

Turning to S. 881, the Sealaska Lands bill, again I'm proud to be a co-sponsor and hope you will give it your fullest attention.

Can you do that for the record, not only from the past, but what you're preparing now for the next budget cycle?

We don't have that problem, as rural and as unique as our State is.

Thank you all for your testimony.

These extreme views do not have any place in the Federal procurement process.

the essence of the one thing I think we as country share, as a shared value, is the notion that in America, people who work hard and sacrifice should have a real opportunity to achieve a better life and middle class prosperity.

I would think there'd be a higher priority on lowering government spending rather than bowing to the views of a few at the expense of the many.

Congress has, on multiple occasions, deemed it appropriate to amend ANCSA to address in an equitable manner issues that were not anticipated by Congress when ANCSA passed.

I hate to put you back on the spot here but you made a good point.

I know customer satisfaction.

Have you at any point in the last 3 or 4 years--I think this was a 4-year study--have any folks that you do business with been canceled in the sense of outpatient care?