Thank you, Senator Corker, and my thanks to you for holding this hearing today and focusing on an issue that I think has not only financial and fiscal implications, but also potential dangers for consumers and the integrity of the entire…

So, really, it is a multifaceted challenge.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Would you like that authority?

the growing awareness of the severity and the frequency of these crimes will properly result, hopefully, in greater enforcement, tougher enforcement, more stringent penalties.

And that may be true in a variety of criminal cases where the prosecution has the continuing burden of proof...

like many of my colleagues, I am very proud to support the Veterans Jobs Corps Act of 2012. Very simply, this measure keeps faith with our veterans, offers them employment opportunities commensurate not only with what they have given to…

like many of my colleagues, before I begin my remarks on the subject that brings me to the floor today, which is the DREAM Act, I wish to take a moment to reflect on the brutal, unconscionable attacks that occurred on our diplomatic posts…

I introduced the Community College Innovation Act, a bill that would encourage community colleges to develop job training programs that lead to an industry-recognized credential in a high-growth industry.

I think that some finality and certainty and commitment is to be expected.

Transparency is crucial for accountability in the healthcare system.

You hope that some of it will occur in 2013? Maybe you could just repeat that. You hope that it will occur in 2013?

There was a deadline that was set.

Do you talk to doctors? Do you talk to public health departments about this issue of underreporting?

I am pleased to submit this testimony to the permanent record of the hearing of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Do you think that habitat control measures are a viable solution here?

The time has truly come for all of us to join together and take strong action to eradicate tick-borne diseases and stop the needless suffering of so many families in Connecticut, in New York, and all around our country.

I applaud Senator Blumenthal for all he has done in the past and his continuing effort.

I'm not a scientist, and I'm not a doctor. I'm not a researcher.

In the meantime, thank you so much for being here today. It has enormous meaning. Thank you.

We have had the distinct pleasure of touring Senator Blumenthal through our Lyme Disease Registry and would like to thank him and other legislators here today for their commitment and ongoing dedication to this cause.

You need to know what the dimensions of the problem are to fight it.

Thank you, each of you, for your testimony.

I believe that Lyme disease has become almost an elitist illness, because you need a certain level of affluence to recover from it, unfortunately.

In your view, what can be done to increase the reporting, the reliability and the completeness of reporting?