Sam Farr

But what about assuming or giving the presumption that they may all need it, may need some treatment...

I mean, I totally agree with your assessment.

I hope the VA--Sam, you correctly point out we ought to do a little better job of trying to identify how to prevent post-traumatic stress syndrome.

I think it might be wise in this next BRAC round...

Absolutely. I mean, that is the reason for a national electronic record.

Let me just tell you, a tragedy just happened last week in my community of Gilroy.

I think you are the one that can break those silos.

I find this is an incredible committee for you in your career being a joint--being Chief of the Army, and then coming in and being Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

I am also concerned about providing adequate employment assistance to veterans, especially with the thousands of new veterans expected from the proposed DOD drawdown.

It is a good thing we have the control of your budget in our hands.

I have suggested to the Naval Postgraduate School... that they actually implement a course in UXO technology.

I really want you to figure out how we can get some more money for that account.

You can't shortchange cleanup on the eve of asking Congress for another BRAC round.

I am a strong proponent for Monterey because you have got the language component there.

National security depends on the wellbeing and quality of life of people in America. That is the first line of national security.

I am surprised to see that the whole program was flat-funded when it has had such incredible success in increasing market share and jobs in this country.

I want to know where that will be.

So my question is, why is it so flat-funded? Why haven't you supported the Organic Data Initiative?

I am the proud author of the California Organic Act, and I am very proud that you have hired Kathleen Merrigan to be your Deputy Secretary.

I think we have to realize that it doesn't just apply to Department of Defense (DoD). It applies to every federal agency.

As Members of Congress, we must enact immigration policies that are tough, fair and practical.

Thank you for your leadership in addressing marine debris.

The only way to protect these industries and ocean-users and their contributions to the national economy is to reduce the amount of marine debris in the environment.

Those are very expensive; they are thousands and thousands of dollars.

What we do is we monitor it now. We monitor it by--we can tag it with satellite tags if it is big enough.