Good morning, today the Committee convenes for a joint subcommittee hearing to conduct oversight of an issue ravaging communities and plaguing the environment.

Fires often occur within the U.S. An average of 73,000 wildfires burn seven million acres of U.S. land each and every year.

I want to thank our witnesses for their participation in today's hearing, and I look forward to identifying concrete solutions to these daunting problems.

Last year, California experienced historically catastrophic fires resulting in a tragic loss of life and unimaginable destruction to homes and property.

According to the Fourth National Climate Assessment, the annual area burned in our nation's western states alone could increase two to six times the current areas by the middle of this century.

I call a mob marijuana mentality and who are engaged in what I would refer to as a marijuana mania.

The situation is even more desperate than it was and different than it was in 1995, when the Tax Certificate Program ended.

I thank my good friend, the dynamic part of the dynamic duo, my brother who is known far and wide as being a voice of inspiration, a voice of reason, and a mighty voice of valor, my friend and colleague for many, many years, Congressman…

We are headed in the wrong direction. We are headed in a downward spiral.

I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman and it is a delight to me, once again, on this very key committee in Congress.

I believe more than ever that it is important that we prioritize the research upon, not only the benefits, but also on the risk of marijuana.

Another area that I am really concerned about, along with this mania that exists is this empty excuse of--or this expungement of records.