Tom Udall

Governor, you have enlightened us today. You have been a great leader on these transportation issues.

I really believe that commuter rail is the way to go, and bringing back our railroads.

We must do more to encourage alternatives to automobiles

I hope that you will work with me to see that we can get money out to those other tribal roads.

Much of our Nation's transportation infrastructure is crumbling

I think we're very lucky to have you as Chairman, and this expertise that you've developed over time as chairman of the Intelligence Committee, I think, is going to be shown here today.

I just hope that you make sure that that is administered in a very transparent way.

I think you can see there is a real consensus on the Committee, on both Democratic--the Democratic and Republican side that we want to see those things happen.

Thank you very much for holding this hearing. These witnesses have been very, very helpful.

The Antiquities Act has been used to great effect, by and large and very appropriate ways as Senator Bingaman just pointed out with the recent actions of President Bush.

I want to make sure you have the last word. But I would add to your list of important uses of the Antiquities Act two additional national parks that were designated national parks after initially being designated national monuments.

We've got to balance out the needs of the country with the needs and points of views of local and regional interests.

I think there are many of us in the West who are intrigued with the oil shale potential.

Opening Statement of: Hon. Tom Udall, a U.S. Senator from the State of New Mexico.

One of the criticisms of him was that he was too young to be President. He said well, I'm doing something about that every day.

Taking institutions that are there and making those institutions reform themselves so that they deal specifically with the issue of youth suicide in Indian Country.

I think you educate all of us and allow us to focus on what the issue is and what we can do about it.

One of them is just for a young person to be able to have somebody to talk to about their problems.

I wish Senator Reid was here for me to just thank him for what he did for my family.

I really want to thank you for all of your work on climate change. When I was in the House of Representatives, I followed what you did over here in the Senate.

A struggling education system with consistently low scores and crumbling schools.

I applaud your efforts on this front, but as you no doubt are aware, we need to do more.

We need economic development in Indian Country, and for the inclusion of Indian Country in the new Administration's economic recovery efforts.

These needs of New Mexico tribes are replicated across the nation.

Secretary Salazar, I would like to begin by congratulating you on your confirmation to serve in President Obama's cabinet.