I think that this hearing is another vital step as we work to improve the services our veterans have earned and deserve.

Thank you and your staff for all that you do to support the mental needs of veterans.

Now, it is our turn to look after them and to get them access to the care they need.

While we continue to improve educational benefits such as the G.I. Bill, job training, and other opportunities through legislation spearheaded by the Chairman, we must keep working to improve the mental health provided to our veterans.

Stigmas prevent some from seeking the mental health treatment they need. This has been a huge problem over the years.

Enacting stronger protections so whistle blowers can come forward without fear of retaliation is one of my top priorities.

I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Thursday, December 1, 2011, at 2:15 p.m. in room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing entitled ``Deficit Reduction and Job Creation…

I ask unanimous consent that I may speak as in morning business for 5 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. (The remarks of Mr. Akaka are printed in today's Record under ``Morning Business.'')

as chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs, I am sponsoring a resolution, cosponsored by Majority Leader Reid, Vice Chairman Barrasso, and several members of the committee, designating November as Native American Heritage Month and…

Earlier this year, I re-introduced the bipartisan legislation to protect whistleblowers.

today I rise in support of a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Federal Executive Boards. Federal Executive Boards were established on November 10, 1961, by President John F. Kennedy through a presidential directive to…

I rise today to introduce legislation that will provide certain of our Nation's veterans with the ability to enforce their statutorily protected veterans' preference rights in the Federal Government. The Veterans' Preference Act, which…

We appreciate that Senator Begich, Chairman Akaka, and this Committee, are willing to roll up your sleeves to help us put into place locally-controlled, culturally-relevant practices to help reduce social problems.

the current legal structure for prosecuting domestic violence in Indian Country is inadequate.

Something must be done to stop the cycle of violence.

Well, thank you very much. I want to thank our witnesses very much for your responses.

We commend you, Chairman Akaka, as well as your many colleagues who have joined you in cosponsoring this historic legislation.

violence against Native women has reached epidemic rates.

Tribal courts have no authority at all to prosecute a non-Indian.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you very much.

We certainly want to tell you to try to work on it.

I thank the Committee for its long-standing interest in these critically important issues, and I especially thank Chairman Akaka for drafting and introducing Senate Bill 1763, the Stand Against Violence and Empower Native Women Act.

Today, I think we would all agree that making the Commandant a voting member was the correct decision.

Change is not always a welcome concept.