Failure to establish an Air Force aircraft needs assessment and long term procurement process will have a detrimental effect of losing over 30,000 jobs nationally.

I look forward to working with you over the next several weeks to craft a budget that provides fiscal recovery and responsibility, as well as addresses the needs and priorities of the people of New York City and all Americans.

Therefore, my first priority is preserving the jobs already in the 37th District, such as the last surviving middle-class jobs derived from Boeing's C-17 production facility in Long Beach, California.

My second priority is increasing funding for the Workforce Investment Act programs that will play a major role in whether our economy recovers.

First of all, I want to applaud you, Mr. Chairman. I have been on this Committee my entire time now being in Congress, and you always put the most pertinent issues right on the table right away.

I just want to applaud you. My point is I am excited that we are finally getting to the point that people are saying, 'Yes, we have to take this leadership role.'

I think today is a good day.

I think it is my intention to work with both of our Chairmen here to ensure that the stimulus occurs as it should.

When we turn on the news we hear all the things of what is not working about government but what I hope people will feel who are here today is that this is what we should be doing.

I have worked on the issue of container fees for now 10 years.

I think part of why you have seen locations like California, like Washington, like New York having these discussions...