I want to thank you again for not using that word, and all of you for not using that word.

I wonder if all the state plans are this bad, and if they are this lacking in coordination with schools, and if we don't need to do some review of what the state plans are.

I am really happy that we have obviously at the federal level put even more funding into that through the stimulus package, if you will, the Recovery Act.

The floods of 2008 affected many in the Midwest.

This budget takes into account the cost of major disasters and the cost of disaster recovery.

As the Nation experiences one of its most severe economic downturns in its history, it is exceedingly important to address the needs of States recovering from severe disasters.

I believe it is necessary to focus on the effects of the current economic crisis on our States.

The supplemental funding appropriated by Congress helped begin our recovery process.

I strongly urge the committee to recognize the need in the fiscal year 2010 budget for continued and additional assistance to those States which had severe natural disasters in 2008 and are still struggling in 2009.

I strongly urge the Committee to recognize the need in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget for continued and additional assistance to those states which had severe natural disasters in 2008 and are still struggling in 2009.

I am really happy that in stimulus bill that we just passed, the Recovery and Reinvestment Act, that we did increase the Pell Grant by $500, which I think is a good thing, obviously, especially for community college students.