I want to certainly make the record reflect that I am very concerned about two major areas as we move forward.

We have to give our financial institutions the tools they need to weather the storm and come out strong in the end.

This measure is necessary and it is very important.

I am honored to say that I gladly support this effort and look forward to the bill being signed today.

I want to congratulate you and the ranking member for holding this very important hearing regarding insurance regulation reform.

producers should not assume that the Federal Government will be there as an insurance policy if they continue to be unwilling to pay their premium.

I think this is the case in most states. I certainly do not plan to be in an automobile accident any time soon, knock on wood; and indeed I do everything in my power to avoid them.

It is a national security issue in many respects that I would like to get your response to.

We are far past the time for this system to be fully up and running. Our food safety system needs to be protected now, not somewhere down the road in the future.

I think this is the case in most states.

it will be difficult, if not impossible, to convince Congress to provide economic support for producers should we have an animal disease outbreak if they are not participating in NAIS.

The subject of today's hearing, a review of Federal food safety systems at the USDA, is vital and it is very, very timely.

I am very concerned about the fact we are not moving even fast enough.

Now, if you look at what we are spending just on the counterproductive part of that incarceration and divide it out, you are talking about $3,500 per child per year.

Although you don't have all the answers, there is no question about that. Is there any question that the investments probably save more money than they cost?

Is there any question, as a general policy, that investments in quality early childhood education for children at risk of failure will reduce crime, reduce welfare, and reduce the need for remedial education?

I strongly believe that the benefits of a National Animal ID System in terms of animal health, public safety, and in maintaining the economic viability of our agriculture sector, domestically and through exports, far outweigh the potential…

A mandatory system would let us know where infected animals are so that we could reroute transportation to prevent disease from spreading.

It is my hope, however, on this and further issues that we will be able to work together in a positive fashion.

There has been an inordinate percentage of minority families who have been tied up in what we can affectionately call a mess.

We are far past time for this system to be fully up and running. The security of our food needs to be protected now, not somewhere down the road in the future.

It will save the government money and provide a vital tool in maintaining the security and integrity of the food supply.

It is indeed a distinct honor and a privilege to have been selected to chair this very important Subcommittee.

I'm concerned about the nature and the targets of these loans and lending practices.

I want to ask you to do something that Abraham Lincoln suggested we do that worked very good back then...