today I rise to speak about and honor our Nation's Vietnam veterans, particularly North Dakota's Vietnam veterans. Since I took office, I have made it a priority to travel throughout North Dakota to meet with my State's veterans, so many…

I want to refocus you on what State regulations have you looked at and said, those are really smart.

The communities in your State, the tribal nations in your State are exactly the type of communities that I want to work harder to serve.

I think it is really important, what you said, that the first line of defense are the tribes themselves.

I want to thank my colleague from New Hampshire. I think as we begin to have this broader discussion and as we begin to explore the kind of path for other projects such as this one--whether it is domestic violence, whether it is sexual…

I ask unanimous consent that privileges of the floor be granted to Jessica Clarke of my staff for the duration of today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Just want to make the point, as we look at building out education opportunities, the recruitment and training of a workforce that can bring that jobs development, it is critical that we make sure that we recognize the critical cultural…

I think there can be all good intentions at the top. But if those attitudes do not filter down, with respect to tribal sovereignty, and with tribal self-determination, those conflicts will continue to have a direct effect on the quality of…

I applaud the focus on Native American youth. I think you know that has been a major interest and concern of mine.

I hope you continue to think and provide us the advice that is extraordinarily valuable.

If we do not have a systematic process piece to go behind it, we really are only talking to each other and wringing our hands and decrying the waste of Federal dollars instead of actually fixing the problem.

Our government's financial condition is not sustainable over a long period of time and we are wasting too much money on these inadequate processes and procedures.