Ben Cardin

Let me just follow up on your point about these fish ladders and invite you up to the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna.

So where is the accountability? What type of review process is in place to make sure that the expectations are reached?

And I take it based upon that science available, these are not political judgments. These are scientific judgments.

This was added to the Endangered Species Act as a common sense way to try to work out private agreements that could preserve wildlife diversity and perhaps even avoid the need for listing if we can do enough private conservation agreements.

I think that is helpful. We are now looking at an authorization for the Coastal Program, and we will be reaching out to get not only the input from Members of the Senate and the House on this, but also the Administration to see whether we…

It has been a critically important partner in our Chesapeake Bay efforts.

Well, Mr. Frazer, first thank you for your testimony, but more importantly, thank you for your service, your longstanding service on these issues.

Your entire statement will be made part of the record, as will all of the witnesses', without objection.

So we are grateful for the work the Coastal Program has done in my State to protect these vital natural resources.

Coastal wetlands provide essential nutrients, food and shelter for shellfish, waterfowl, migratory birds and more than half of commercial fish.

If we are going to be successful in our efforts to protect these species and these places, we all--private, public, individual and organizations, businessmen and conservationists, farmers and fishermen--we all have to work together to make…

We have at least transparency between the executive and legislative branches as what the expectations of that program and that specific country is

It's hard to imagine how you can deal with hunger if you don't deal with poverty.

It's hard to see how you deal with poverty if you don't deal with the problems of corruption.

As has been pointed out frequently, the five nominees that we have before us today all are seeking confirmation for lifetime appointments.

I want to thank Senator Leahy for giving me the opportunity to chair this hearing.

We think we have brought forward two of the most talented people we have in our state and the Nation to serve on our Federal bench.

I want to commend and congratulate Senator Mikulski for the process that she initiated in the State of Maryland for making recommendations to the President on our nominees to the bench.

The Judiciary Committee will come to order.

The hearing record will remain open for one week for additional statements and questions from Senators.

I want to focus on the implementation of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

I agree with Senator Sessions that we do not want to put a climate out there that causes institutions to do things that are irresponsible.

The United States Commission on Civil Rights--the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has many of the same goals as the Civil Rights Division--are concerned about this matter.

I can tell you, after every election I get more complaints about people who were eligible to vote and who were inappropriately taken off of a roll.

I want all of our laws enforced. Do not get me wrong. But I would hope that we would try to be empowering people to vote who are eligible to vote.