I'd like to thank you for once again allowing me to participate as a guest member of the Natural Resources Committee to discuss an issue of notable concern for the Gulf Coast, the mismanagement by federal regulators of the Red Snapper…

Joining the bipartisan Travel and Tourism Caucus, chaired by Congressmen Jo Bonner and Sam Farr, is also a great way to join the solution.

The Gulf Coast states comprise the fastest growing U.S. coastline by population and account for 27 percent of our Nation's ocean economy.

I believe it was the right thing to do.

Is it too much to ask that our Federal Government encourage fishermen as well as the regional fisheries management councils to have more freedom to innovate and explore new management strategies?

But it is very frustrating and it is hard for me. Maybe I am not talented enough in this job to be able to convince someone who has gone out and mortgaged their home for a million and a half, two million dollar boat for the privilege of…

But how serious is the debt issue that we have got hanging over our Nation, even as this Committee struggles...

The modest increase in stock assessment funding in the President's fiscal year 2013 request, at least in the opinion of this Member, will not bridge the data gap.

I would like to encourage you and also give you an opportunity to respond if you have a response that if at all possible that NOAA keep this vessel or whatever vessels that you might have at your disposal in the Gulf and try to find some…

This is a matter about potentially breaking the law.

The national debt has now increased more during President Obama's three years and two months in office than it did during the eight years of the George W. Bush presidency.