Tom Udall

Thank you for your service there at EPA.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thanks for holding this hearing.

New Mexico tribes and pueblos have contacted me expressing their support for the 8(a) program and for the participation of ANCs.

I would just ask unanimous consent to put my opening statement in the record and look forward to the hearing.

We will go dark if we lose funding because over--all our stations rely on funding, not just from PTFP and from CPB, of at least 50 to 100 percent.

Most people probably can't imagine life without a telephone; yet today, as Ms. Taylor said, more than 30 percent of the households in Indian country don't have basic access to telephone service.

You made some incredible comments. You remember that 2 years ago we were running around this place trying to figure out how to solve the unemployment problem.

I also want to especially recognize my Senator, Senator Tom Udall from New Mexico, who has worked diligently and has the same passion as I in bridging the digital divide on Navajo Lands in New Mexico.

When we were talking about unemployment might reach 10 percent and the Chairman said in Indian country, that would be a blessing if it could get to that.

Thank you for your longstanding leadership on issues effecting Native Americans and Native Hawaiians.

Water infrastructure is of supreme importance in the American west, where water is scarce, and when it does come, it can cause destructive flooding.

I think that's at the heart of what we're doing. Thank you for making that clear.

Is it fair to say that, in effect, the military operation is designed to create space for political options to unfold?

I support the President and the international community moving the way it has moved to protect the civilian population.

There are a lot of challenges that we have with Mexico.

I hope that you will continue that practice within the State Department.

Do you agree that the continued utilization of small businesses, including minority and women-owned business, will help the United States develop and maintain the entrepreneurial spirit needed to compete in the 21st century?

I believe there is still work that needs to be done to improve basic services, such as clean water and clean air in the region.

I intend to vote for you and I hope that the Foreign Relations Committee acts quickly on this nomination.

If Iraq were to make the request to retain United States troops in Iraq... how would it change the plan to transition the lead of U.S.

I think the Santa Clara Pueblo has a remarkable record in terms of self-governance and how you do that under the laws that are in place right now.

It is my understanding that the President's budget includes a decrease of $9 million in funding for the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project.

I think that it has been an excellent panel. I think the more that we have advocacy from Indian Country like yours, the more we have a better chance here in Washington to do what we have to do to fulfill trust responsibilities.

The thing that is encouraging to me about the Department is having somebody like Larry Echo Hawk there.

Defeating an insurgency is about 30 percent military and 70 percent political.