"Well, thank you very much, Senator Merkley and Senator Brown, for convening what is a very important meeting, a very important hearing."
"I commend you and Senator Merkley for all you are doing here to get these small businesses the kind of support that they need and that is so essential to our country."
"Well, at this point, in order for them to expand it, they would need support from the Federal Government to do that given the economic crisis in the State as well."
"That clearly is a real obstacle to our recovery, obviously, in States like ours, but States across the country."
"We know what it means for businesses that are looking for credit."
"Ultimately, it is America's small businesses, and American workers, who suffer the most."
"It's important to separate the large financial institutions that benefited from TARP from the vast majority of banks."
"I continue to hear from small businesses in my State who can't access credit to grow their company."
"Basically, for anyone not knowing Michigan, you're talking about large population centers--Detroit River, St. Clair River, St. Clair--Lake St. Clair, or Saginaw Bay--a lot of people."
"Are we acting with a sense of urgency about the reality of what is happening?"
"We see a tremendous difference having a Great Lakes President with the resources that have been available to the Great Lakes."
"we've got to protect the Great Lakes, obviously, but don't want to--we have to do it in the most prudent way possible."