I ask unanimous consent that privileges of the floor be granted to Ian Koski of my staff for the duration of the day. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I would like to call to order this hearing of the Subcommittee on African Affairs of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

I think it is a good example of where U.S. influence and leverage played a very positive role.

I am grateful to the whole panel for your testimony today, for your participation.

I support and see real value in your work to build capacity to fight corruption across dozens of countries in the world.

Helping African countries realize their full potential and succeed as economically viable democracies is in our national interest.

I believe MCC's actions have helped prompt a level of dialogue about human rights for LGBT populations.

In the coming years, African cooperation will be increasingly essential in managing a wide range of global issues such as international terrorism, smuggling, piracy, migration, climate change, infectious disease, and food production.

I am pleased that recently both Secretary of Defense Gates and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mullen have expressed their strong support for increased resources for the State Department.

I rise to mark National Volunteer Week and Delaware Volunteer Week. All week long throughout the Nation and across the great State of Delaware, Americans and Delawareans will be engaged in volunteer service. Volunteer opportunities include…

I hope to hear from our four witnesses today about the implications for the long term of potential reductions in foreign assistance.

the Pentagon's budget is more than 10 times larger than that proposed for the Department of State.