I spent some time at some of those bases that Senator mentioned, Jacksonville, Mayport, those places.

I am sure for enlisted men and women as well.

Mr. Chairman, you've been here less than 2 years and you're already running the place.

You said what I wanted to hear, October 15th.

I am concerned about the environmental impacts of the additional delay.

This issue is close to our hearts in Delaware.

I commend the Administration, we've been critical of the Administration for some of the things that they've done.

I think most people in my State realize that we are not all taking bribes and we are not all lobbyists or crooks, and I agree with them.

I am confident we can address these issues before us today in the same bipartisan way that we have addressed everything from intelligence reform to the ongoing investigation of what went wrong during Hurricane Katrina.

I sit here today as one who believes that it is important that we continue to maintain and strengthen going forward our reliance on nuclear energy as part of, not all of, but part of our energy needs in this country.

I am one of those people, Mr. Secretary, who always sees the glass as half-full.