Mr. Jefferson spent almost 3 years in North Carolina on different stints so I claim ownership of him.

I do have some concerns about whether VA is living up to President Obama's vision of, 'an unprecedented level of openness in government.'

Today's veterans expect this of us. They want a VA that is forward looking, innovative, and responsive.

Let me work with you to identify some other areas that potentially might have an interest in funding some of this preservation.

Let me make you this promise today.

I understand the tremendous tourism benefit that these lighthouses provide in addition to the pride of a community at preservation of a historic structure.

Let me, if I could, recap what the bill does. It creates a 3-year pilot program.

I value the Michigan lighthouses, value the North Carolina lighthouses. I have a real problem anytime we look back at things that we did and forget the reasons that we did them.

I think you and I totally agree with that, and the likelihood is that as they prioritize the needs in that local community, lighthouses are going to be on that second half of that list.

It authorizes $20 million a year for each of those 3 years.

There was a tremendous lack of confidence as to whether the Federal Government would do anything other than stand by and watch these historic landmarks disintegrate and deteriorate.