Daniel Akaka

The need to ensure the safety and security of our Foreign Service personnel cannot be over-emphasized.

Ambassador, I am pleased that State and DS are taking steps to better support employees and their families when officers serve in high-threat posts.

DS faces unprecedented challenges as it takes on new responsibilities in Iraq and Afghanistan while continuing to protect U.S. diplomats worldwide.

These are some of the challenges that we have to work on.

I would like to announce that the Committee on Indian Affairs will meet on Thursday, June 30, 2011, at 2:15 p.m. in room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building to conduct a hearing on S. 1262, the Native Culture, Language, and Access…

I thank the Chair. (The remarks of Mr. Akaka pertaining to the introduction of S. 1262 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'') ____________________

Congress intended to end Federal policies of termination and allotment and begin an era of empowering tribes.

Sometimes in Indian policy, it is necessary to look at the past in order to move forward.

We must renew our commitment to restore tribal homelands and promote self-determination.

I deem it an honor to join you here and to say thank you very much for chairing this important hearing again on type 1 diabetes.

I want to use the word 'diverse,' because your teachers have very diverse backgrounds, and that helps the educational process as well.

Just like the way they surf in Hawaii, we want to take advantage and even use it wisely as an opportunity to get a good ride.

I like and am surprised at that is many of them have come back, have continued to teach in those areas.

I am pleased that the Federal Career Intern Program has been phased out.

For internship programs to succeed, they must not only meet agency needs, but also provide career development and training for participants that prepare them for a career in Federal service.

Well, that is timely, and it will certainly help our cause here.

Well, thank you very much, Ms. Griffin.

We need to continue to build stronger relationships between agencies and universities to help foster academic programs that prepare students for Federal service.

Our Nation for the first time in history is facing a large retirement wave that is coming

The Federal Government is the largest employer in the United States, and Federal service is a noble profession.

This Subcommittee has focused on reforming the Federal hiring process.

I wanted to compliment you and your program because I have spoken to teachers out there in Hawaii who are part of your program, and they have worked in different areas where they have made a difference.

Well, I thank you very much for your valuable testimony this afternoon.

Let me ask my first question to Ms. Griffin.

We must develop innovative strategies to bridge this gap.