Amy Klobuchar

It really is an industry that not only is important for our economy, but promotes, as Senator Dorgan said, promotes our country around the world.

We really see this industry as major backbone to our economy, and we have to look at both the challenges and the opportunities ahead today.

We see a lot of impact. We estimate that in some areas, we will see some 30 percent decline in our tourism business.

This Promotion Act is one of the pieces, it will have a multi-year effect if we don't do something now.

Thank you, Ms. Saunders.

Sen. Dorgan and I yesterday introduced the Travel Promotion Act of 2009.

I can tell you I was sitting here thinking about the change the COPS program made in the county where I was a chief prosecutor, Hennepin County.

You also have the $225 million Byrne Competitive Grant program.

I understand the EPA is looking at both direct greenhouse gas emissions and indirect emissions from land use changes.

I always thought it was ironic that we had something like 37 States that had started their own greenhouse gas registry together because the Federal Government had failed to act.

I am concerned with a few pieces here.

We are concerned that this is speculative to look at this and would be very difficult to do on an evidence based method.

I appreciate the leadership you have shown at the EPA and the integrity you are working to restore to the office.

Her extensive judicial record shows that her background and her experiences do not detract from her ability to adhere to the rule of law.

Judge Sotomayor has written or joined more than 3,000 opinions in her 17 years as a judge and she has never used foreign law to interpret the Constitution or statutes.

We are confident that Judge Sotomayor is extraordinarily well qualified to serve as a justice for the Supreme Court.

I think that may be reflected in the fact that she has been endorsed--in our last panel, Louis Freeh, who had been appointed by George H.W. Bush and, also, served as the FBI director.

I want to thank all of you, and you just did a marvelous job in stating your opinions.

I think we can be assured she will do it as a Justice.

Well, I would say that her opinion probably rules, if you look at how she actually ruled on this.

Her story resonates with all Americans. She is proof that in our country, in our country, there is no limit, even for those of us from the most humble of backgrounds.

I thought you so succinctly described the effect that her ruling had on many, many people across this country.

I think that all any of us can expect and hope for and want is that she is fair, open-minded, and that she applies the law to the facts, and, clearly, her record has done that.

I urge you all to support her.

We are grateful to President Obama for making a wise decision in nominating Judge Sotomayor.