I do want you to know we are grateful to you for what you are doing, and for what all of the Navy and Marine Corps are doing to support the war in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan and the war against terrorism.

The last two years have been a time of extraordinary accomplishment, effort, dedication, and duty for the men and women of our Navy and Marine Corps.

Right now, the Navy has 54 percent of the fleet forward deployed and 68 percent of the fleet underway.

I just want to call to the attention of the members that this is a program created by a bill I introduced that was Dr. Billington's idea, a very successful one.

I do not think your people--your people came up, and they did not leave the main cities.

I am going to ask you to put some severe restrictions on the Department of Education with regard to the use of funds.

I urge you to read my statement.

These people, who are just professional protesters in the legal profession, do nothing but file lawsuits.

I think it would be wonderful if you would just look at it.

I think more people in the Senate, and more of your people, need to be exposed to the whole of the totality of forest areas in Alaska in order to make sure we have a sound policy.

I would like to get your commitment that the BLM will abide by its obligations and complete the land conveyance program by 2009.