the president's top aides are still very deep into the negotiations with Senator Olympia Snowe.

This is a time for action to make sure we are protecting our oceans and coasts and the wealth of resources that they provide for the future.

Senator Snowe has been working with Senator Landrieu in supporting an increase in the SBA staff

Senator Snowe's bill really focuses on that and we are working with Senator Landrieu.

I do not believe this request is adequate. The agency needs to meet its current mandates and prepare the Nation for the impacts of a changing climate.

the situation with veteran entrepreneurship is becoming intolerable.

the authorization of the grant amounts from a maximum of $150,000 to a minimum of $150,000.

Today, I lend my support to the growing call to double NOAA's budget by 2012.

Yesterday, Senator Snowe and I introduced S. 1229, the Entrepreneurial Development Act of 2009.

Senator Snowe has been a big advocate for this, is creating a role for somebody in the government

We must take stock of our ocean resources and examine the ways we can continue to utilize the goods and services our ocean provides.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you very much for allowing me to go first.

If we don't do that, everything else that we think matters about the ocean is over.

The oceans have been truly the lifeblood of Maine's economy.

In Louisiana, the dead zone and so on has been a major conversation here, and we have made efforts concerning dead zones and hypoxia.

Ocean policy starts on land. It starts in St. Louis and the decisions that are made on the Mississippi River.

It is a very difficult and challenging time. There are so many things going on at the same time.

Thank you, Madam Chair, for calling this hearing today to delve into the incredibly vital role the oceans play in our Nation's economy.

So, we must take stock of our ocean resources and examine the ways we can continue to utilize the goods and services our oceans provide while simultaneously redoubling our efforts to ensure that we are using our oceans sustainably.

If we are to really take a stand on protecting our oceans, we need to start with concern for the communities that are being impacted by the degradation of the oceans.

It simply does not make--there is no economic rationale.

Yet the companies represented here this afternoon have provided no clarity with respect to exactly how or why they've come to the specific decisions that they have made; let alone provide any transparency with respect to these decisions or…

Thank you, Chairman Rockefeller. Welcome back and thank you for holding this very critical hearing today, Mr. Chairman, because obviously, we are all grappling with the devastating effects and the sad state of affairs when it comes to the…

And let me ask you one other question. You have indicated that GM will be capable buying back the inventories from as many as 80 percent of the closed dealerships; will you be buying back parts and special tools as well?

Well, you know, and just Mr. Press and Mr. Henderson, you say that and that's--that also sounds well and good, but these are individuals who have been faithful, and the one I cited for 80 years, and that's been generally true, 80 years…