Ben Cardin

We need to start making a plan right away so that we do not leave our children in area of devastation: no water, no energy and no plan.

Well, let me thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it very much.

This will be a continuing effort of our Subcommittee and I think you have given us a good start to our work.

We do know the value of forest. We do know the values of vegetation.

We need to look at the cumulative impact. I do not think that we have been doing a good job of doing that at all levels.

The bill that may be on the House floor tomorrow that deals with global climate change invests a great deal of resources in coal.

Coal is important to America. It is an important mineral that we have.

This is the first hearing that we have had in the Senate in 7 years on mountaintop recoveries.

It seems to me that some of the environmental risks and public health risks are counter to the economic opportunities of this region.

I do not believe we know the answers to those questions, and I think we need to do a better job.

I think in one report it is 1,700, is it miles? I know it is a unit.

President Obama has issued an Executive Order concerning trying to base our decisions on good science.

I want to thank our panels of witnesses for coming before the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee today to discuss mountaintop removal coal mining.

I want to thank the leadership for moving forward.

Well, thank you for that answer.

We have not taken advantage of the small, innovative companies that are out there that could help us a great deal with a relatively small amount of federal investment.

I support research funding for our universities. I think that is important research.

Believe me, those of us on the Small Business Committee were livid at the fact that this was included without consultation with the Small Business Committee.

We need to make sure that NIH continues its extremely important mission, that the universities can do the work that they are doing, and the small, innovative companies have the capital they need.

My point is, do you see any special effort by NIH today to reach out to small, innovative companies to try to make sure that they are included in the Recovery funds?

I want to talk about the current economic climate and how urgent it is for us to try to get some relief to innovative small companies.

Thank you very much for that testimony. Particularly, for some of the history, which I found very, very helpful.

Let me just point out my concern. Mr. Glover's testimony particularly underscores this, that there has been an historic hostility at NIH to allowing special allocations to small businesses within the innovative research program.

I agree completely with you and other witnesses that NIH could rectify the problem with that amendment.

Well, let me welcome everyone to this hearing of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee of the United States Senate.