Kit Bond

Under the leadership of Dr. Sampson the Economic Development Administration has begun the transformation into a results oriented Agency.

I would join in with concerns that apparently you have expressed and Senator Crapo have expressed.

I am very pleased that, under the leadership of Dr. Sampson, the Economic Development Administration has been transforming itself into a results oriented Agency.

I think it is important EDA continue transforming itself from a culture of compliance to a culture of performance.

I am concerned about the new standards of EDA regarding the minimum amount of money leveraged and jobs created per EDA dollar.

I look forward to hearing your testimony and the testimony of other witnesses as we work toward a reauthorization.

Finally, some people are saying that the House bill gives EDA too much room to rewrite rules and regulations.

I think that is great for banks and private investors.

Thank you very much, Dr. Sampson. You can help also as well by developing technical training facilities, for which we are most grateful.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Dr. Sampson, Senator Jeffords touched on the very important issue of job loss and manufacturing job loss.

Well, coming from a part of my State which has been hit hard by natural resource outsourcing, refractories was dependent upon the steel industry and then they were decimated by asbestos litigation.

The $22-to-$1 ratio you feel would be beyond the ability of your organization and others with which you deal?

The Corps of Engineers is now in the 12th year of their 6 year, $70 million study and in great need of some adult supervision and guidance from USDA.

I think the best way to assure--we need all forms of transportation, and the more competition we have the more efficient and more economical every one of them is going to be.

EPA is doing great things to improve the environment.

I am delighted to hear that you have Tar Creek taken care of, and get you off my back for funding it.

Our friends at the Natural Resources Defense Council called this Bush rule 'the most significant public health proposal in decades.'

EPA's actions will save an estimated 8,300 premature deaths, avoid 5,500 cases of chronic bronchitis and prevent 17,600 cases of acute bronchitis in children each year.

Once the 2007 program is fully implemented, our families will breathe 2.6 million fewer tons of smog-causing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions each year.

The year 2003 saw the lowest annual level of terrorist attacks since 1969 which indicates that much progress has been made in combating terrorism.

The abuses at Abu Ghraib represented a total breakdown in supervision, training, discipline and leadership.

I appreciate that. I know you wouldn't be satisfied if I didn't raise one issue that I brought to your attention before.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. First, I commend the Secretary and the chairman for your great work.

One of the things that pundits are raising is the problems that they see coming down the line with recruitment and retention.

We need to focus our energies on the war on terror, which we cannot afford to lose.