John Garamendi

Mr. Chairman, thank you for scheduling this afternoon's hearing to update the subcommittee on the progress made by the administration, the international governments, and nongovernment partners in dealing with the issue of piracy.

How could that be, since those are 200 troops that specifically provide support for the Global Hawk program?

I happen to represent Beale, and I am mightily concerned about this, since it is contradictory to what we had intended to have happen.

I notice that our time is nearly over. If you'd like a few closing comments, I'm going to end in just a few moments, too.

In decades. But we're seeing the changes. The Affordable Care Act, a major part of that is an annual well person visit to the doctor, so critically important. Why? What's your blood pressure? How's your sugar? What's happening in your…

I'm going to pick up another chart. The issue you raised is one that we really ought to chart. Let me go get another chart. Just keep going there.

We can use that again. The President has put it out there, too. In his State of the Union speech he spoke very clearly to the advanced manufacturing centers that you talked about, Mr. Ryan. He talked about infrastructure. He's made…

George Washington and Alexander Hamilton at the very start of this Nation said, Build the infrastructure. Grow the economy.

When are we going to do it? We can do these things. We can do the wind turbines for the clean energy, as Mr. Delaney was talking about, solar panels, and, of course, the transportation systems, which we're discussing here.

Mr. Higgins, you've really hit upon something that caught my attention. Also, we should be aware that this year, that is October 2012 until October 2013, we will spend $100 billion in Afghanistan. To what effect? To have our soldiers…

Mr. Higgins, if I may interrupt you for just a second, I can't believe the number you just gave us. You said the Ryan Republican budget that will come out this week does what to infrastructure?

Also joining us tonight is Representative Higgins from the great State of New York. We have talked here on the floor from time to time, Mr. Higgins, and you have a very serious issue about our infrastructure--or lack of good quality…

Mr. Delaney, I know you have to leave, but thank you so very much for joining us.

I really agree with all you said. And as we make that bridge to that clean energy future--you talked about those 50-year increments as we change from one source of energy to another. In that process, we, American taxpayers, seriously…

So share with us your thoughts about how we can grow the economy, and maybe share some of your own experiences, because you've employed many, many people during your tenure in business.

As the new chairman of the subcommittee, I look forward to working closely with the Coast Guard and my colleagues to get new assets operating as quickly as possible, and to find other ways to improve readiness and enhance mission…

March 1st is coming, and sequestration along with it. It is my understanding that the Coast Guard is going to be significantly affected by sequestration.

I would appreciate you delivering to the committee a detailed accounting of changes in operations, maintenance, administrative overhead, and other activities as a result of sequestration.

Well, it then appears that there--is there going to be a 20-percent--21-percent reduction in the operations of the cutters, other boats, as well as the aircraft?

It is my understanding that the Coast Guard is going to be significantly affected by sequestration.

We also recognize that our maritime economy contributes almost $649 billion annually to the U.S. gross domestic product, and more than 13 million jobs.

Congratulations on the chairmanship of this committee, a very important one in my mind, and certainly for all of the Nation.

It's always a pleasure to work with you, Mr. Tonko. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. ____________________

If I might interrupt you for just a moment. This had to be 6 or 7 years ago, I was Lieutenant Governor of California, and 3M, the manufacturing company, came in to talk about exactly that issue; and they had researched and developed a new…

I think we are finished for this evening. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. ____________________