Sam Gibbons: “I strongly support H.R. 4392, the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 2001. But, Mr. Chairman, before I speak…”

“I strongly support H.R. 4392, the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 2001. But, Mr. Chairman, before I speak to the issue of the bill before us, I would like to take a moment to recognize the great bipartisan leadership that Chairman Goss and the ranking member, Mr. Dixon, have brought to the Intelligence Committee and, moreover, to the creation of this bill. I have had the privilege of serving on the Intelligence Committee for the past 3 years, and I can attest to the commitment these two leaders make to the committee, our intelligence community, and the security of our country. Chairman Goss, thank you for your leadership. And, thank you, Mr. Dixon, for your service to our intelligence community. Mr. Chairman, as one of only 16 members of the Intelligence Committee, I fully recognize the trust placed on us by all Members of the House to ensure that the highly classified work we do is in the proper interests of the United States of America. I take the responsibilities of that trust very seriously. That said, I can tell you that the Intelligence authorization bill before us today is one that I strongly support, and one that I urge all Members to support.”