Mazie Hirono

I think that's one of the reasons that we have to be very careful in what--in what we decide to do.

I just want to end by thanking all of you, particularly, Dr. Haynie, I really appreciated your commitment to helping the disabled veterans.

We certainly have a Federal responsibility to the American Indian tribes to live up to our obligations to them.

In the native Hawaiian culture, water or wai, is considered a sacred source of life.

Hawaii has to be especially creative when it comes to maximizing benefits of our limited water resources.

Water is fundamental to all aspects of life.

I think there are a lot of people who agree with the assessment that ending the civil war in Syria is one of the keys in enabling the United States, as well as Russia and our other partners, some 60-plus, to focus on defeating ISIL.

This whole campaign really is a whole-of-government campaign. Has to be. In today's world, all these pieces need to be connected.

It's time for Russia to focus on the right side of this fight.

It's not as though our country is going to just stand by idly while Iran proceeds with that kind of a program, correct?

I think recycling probably should/could play a bigger role in our need for these critical elements.

You are reassuring me that the VA goes after every dime from the private insurance carriers that you can get your hands on.

There is a shortage of medical personnel in the VA, and I note in your testimony, Secretary Gibson, that you are going to be creating some 1,500 new residency positions.

If giving you feedback from my veterans, for example, could help you all do a better job, I would be happy to pass that on.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I think that it is really difficult for us to accept that you want to take money from the Choice Program to do that.

I have talked to veterans, and they found that letter to be rather confusing.

You talked about the need for collaborating with communities across the board. Do you have a state-by-state program or plan that would enable communities and fire departments and the state and counties to work collaboratively with the…

So are you saying that with the combination of the Farm bill provisions and what you have under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act that you have enough authority but it would be clearer if we could put it all in one----

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you all for testifying.

It is estimated that 0.5 percent of land in Hawaii burns each year, a percentage that is equal to or higher than what is experienced in Western states.

Chief, I am sorry I am running out of time, but you said that you work community-by-community? Are you working with any particular communities in Hawaii?

I think this is an area that Senator Brown touched upon, is that during active service, our servicemembers learn a lot of skills and we need to translate those skills in ways that employers can understand.

I do share Senator Blumenthal's concern about a special emphasis on helping women veterans because the data shows that they have lower employment and under-employment rate than the male veterans.

I think this would be a really fantastic step forward for our active duty who are going on to veteran status.