I appreciate that you said that the administration wants to begin work on Trade Promotion Authority. This is long overdue.

First, on behalf of New York's fishermen, I really want to thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I carefully considered Senator Schumer's letter to the Commissioners for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

We are a compact of states. It is not our job to take advantage of other states for our own interest.

Senator Schumer was successful in obtaining an additional 3 years in the rebuilding period for summer flounder.

Senator Schumer had mentioned, he has been tireless in trying to find a solution to this problem.

It is time to update the management of the summer flounder fishery.

The work of the Senate has become even more vital in restoring the fishing industries in New Jersey and New York.

I would also like to thank Senator Schumer for being a strong advocate for recreational anglers

I'm going to watch the councils and commissions like a hawk to see if they live up to their requirements.

I'm committed to assuring that this problem be fixed, either administratively or legislatively.

Senator Schumer has been very active trying to find a solution to the problem and both the state and its anglers thank him for his continued efforts.

I think we are a year beyond that, and they have not kept that promise.

This simply ignores science and plainly does not make sense.

I want to compliment our Chair on her first hearing since assuming leadership of this extremely important Committee.

We need to look very carefully at the consequences that consolidation will have on competition, jobs, and service to consumers.

Will you commit to maintaining JFK as a hub for American?

Will you commit to maintaining service at the locations across New York State which are currently serviced by your two airlines?

Will you commit to maintaining New York jobs of both US Airways and American Airlines?

You just do not want to see the small planes go into the large cities and neglecting the smaller cities.

It is critically important to me that New Yorkers continue to have access to a wide breadth of options for services to and from our airports.

So I want to make sure that your obligation to allow competition of DCA and your obligation to serve regional markets, you do not feel they are mutually exclusive.

Given that a combined US Airways and American would control significantly more, it would seem that you would need to divest slots in order to ensure competition.

It is equally important that service is competitive in terms of both the cost and quantity of the flights.

I just fully support your nomination, and I do find it anomalous.