But don't make it so he has to stop working, he can no longer do his job just because of an administrative situation.

Admiral Cook, I had asked you about some type of timetable to deal with the backlog.

We expect the Coast Guard to be able to look and see certain things coming.

Somehow we, as a country, have allowed the term 'equality,' which is an absolute term, to be redefined to mean more rights for some individuals and fewer for others.

I would again like to thank the gentlelady from Wisconsin, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, and the 100-plus cosponsors of H.R. 2517 for their work, their diligence, and their commitment to correcting a longstanding injustice which has…

I really do appreciate all the testimony that's been offered to this committee.

LGBT Americans are not demanding so-called special rights, as some claim, through this or any other bill.

First, principle is at stake. Equality, fair mindedness, and respect for diversity are at the heart of America's identity.

The magic of federalism is that if one level of government falls asleep at the wheel or has too much to drink at the party, another can drive everybody home safely.

Thank you for holding this critical hearing to examine the targeted predatory lending practices that have ravaged our communities and our economy.

Congress should promptly eliminate federal preemption of the application of the state consumer protection laws to national banks.

The city's contention is that the discriminatory lending practices pursued by Wells Fargo promoted high-cost loan instruments which led to foreclosures far in excess of what the rate of foreclosure might otherwise have been.

this is a continuation of this defense of mediocrity, and it bothers me tremendously.

We must make sure that whatever equipment we buy, that it is the equipment that they need to carry out their mission.

We had asked the Marine Corps to compile a list of incidents and mishaps involving the MV-22 since the aircraft was approved for full rate reduction in 2005.

We must get what we bargain for, period.

there appears to be a design problem with the V-22.

We've got a spare parts problem. We're cannibalizing planes that some say cost $64 million, others say more.

Whatever we buy for the military, it must do no harm to them.

A lot of times this is based on politics.

I have a vision for how this can come about with regard to the civil rights program.

You know, one of the things that is a little bit disturbing about these charts is that when we look at completed applications, Class of 2009 for African Americans there were 55, Class of 2010 there were 52, Class of 2011 there were 39…

I really believe that we can do better. I just believe our Country is greater than that, that we can do better.

This Country cannot be all that it is supposed to be if we are caught up in a culture of mediocrity; it just can't.

I want that little boy, that white boy in Roanoke, Virginia, I want him to have a chance to be in the Coast Guard, and I want that African American in San Francisco to have a chance if they are qualified.