John Kerry

As it stands today, I would characterize the U.S. as being behind the power curve when it comes to addressing global warming.

Thank you for sharing it with us today.

It is high time the United States once again become a leader in addressing the grave threat of climate change.

The debate over whether human-related activities are contributing to global climate change is over.

I urge this Congress to quickly pass the entirety of President Obama's recovery package.

We must learn from the mistakes of Kyoto, and we must make Copenhagen a success.

The road to Copenhagen is not easy, but we have traversed this ground before.

These crucial investments will create millions of new jobs and hasten our economic recovery.

Regrettably, and despite committed efforts from Al Gore and many, many others in this country and across the globe, today we are on the brink of an acute crisis that is gathering momentum daily.

The United States has a moral responsibility to lead.

We have negotiated the Montreal Protocol, a treaty to protect the ozone layer, and strengthened it to the point where we have banned most of the major substances that create the ozone hole over Antarctica.

If Congress acts right away to pass President Obama's recovery package, and then takes decisive action this year to institute a cap-and-trade system for CO2 emissions...

To the naysayers and the deniers out there, let me make it clear that a little snow in Washington does nothing to diminish the reality of the crisis we face.

The Merida Initiative has given the United States and Mexico an opportunity to forge an effective, enduring partnership to combat powerful transnational criminal organizations sowing misery, corruption, and violence in both our countries.

Supporting President Calderon's efforts to dismantle these criminal organizations and to strengthen the rule of law in his country will be one of our most important foreign policy priorities.

Throughout the campaign, President Obama stated many times the importance of development assistance to America's foreign policy and national security.

I resist that language entirely. It's offensive to the people of this hemisphere to be considered the backyard of this country.

I believe that the State Department's foreign assistance programs should receive more resources and I intend to work with the Secretary and the administration to vigorously advocate for them.

I believe that, we need to rebuild our friendships and alliances, to develop a coherent and comprehensive strategy in Afghanistan.

There are wonderful new leaders emerging in Latin America who we need to pay as much attention to as those with whom we have significant disagreements.

Senator Schumer was just bragging to me about how many New York Cabinet people he's been introducing.

We're pleased to welcome our two nominees here today.

I believe that we have a responsibility to lead in the world.

The hearing will come to order, please.

I am writing to relay to you my support for S. 251 the 'The Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009'.