it would be very troublesome and very disappointing to have spent the money that we are investing in communications systems that do not talk to each other

It is more important than ever to allocate dollars carefully and wisely.

Keeping up with this evolution is a challenge to the emergency management community.

The quicker we can get the answers to that, the better we will be able to build a bill to actually meet the needs of our country and our locals.

It makes no sense to cut funding from the agencies that must prepare for and respond to future disasters, to use that money to pay for the cost of past disasters.

This requires advanced coordination and communication to save lives and property and to recover and rebuild smartly and quickly.

I am going to ask each one of you what would you say to people that say that this particular program needs another 20- or 30-percent reduction.

In the United States, emergency management--be it preparedness, response, or recovery--starts at the level of government closest to the people.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

So you like the money being sent down in a broader range with locals being able to make more choices.

The President has put forth a budget that combines some of these programs and reduces slightly some of the funding.

the Federal grant program has been effective and useful and essential for building the operations that you currently have.

It is a good line of questioning.

you will not be disappointed should you see them through to the Senate.

I am so pleased and honored to present both of these, Mr. Chairman, for your consideration, and the Committee.

I'm personally honored and thrilled to be a small part of this process.

The ability of emergency response personnel to communicate in real time prior to, during, and immediately after a disaster is critical.

I don't believe I could have found, if I had looked, anyone more qualified.

I can tell you, being a Louisiana citizen, his and others' work on those public corruption cases has been an enormous public service that we're all grateful for.

Their Louisiana teammates represented our United States very well on the field.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I really appreciate the opportunity to present such outstanding candidates to you and to the Committee for your consideration today.

I also certainly join with her, and I'm extremely supportive of, the nomination of Judge Jane Triche-Milazzo as well.

I certainly join Mary in being extremely, not just supportive, but enthusiastic about our nominees.

The President has requested $1.8 billion in the baseline for 2012, but your estimate, your low estimate, is $3.8 billion and your high estimate is $6.6 billion.

There are many companies that are looking to do the research. But in Louisiana we have what all the byproducts, or the initial products you've discussed here at the table.