I appreciate very much General Eikenberry's willingness to take on an extremely difficult mission, and I look forward to his testimony.

At this pivotal moment in our mission in Afghanistan, we are fortunate to have a public servant who possesses this unique and exceptional record of experience.

It is the need to get the right balance in Afghanistan between all parties involved in that area.

I am honored to present General Eikenberry to this distinguished committee and I strongly and unreservedly endorse his nomination.

I wish to commend the Chair, the Ranking Member, and the members of the Committee with, really, I think the very thorough and expeditious way in which the nomination of the Attorney General, Mr. Holder, was handled and voted upon by the…

But how fortunate America is to have someone as knowledgeable and as experience as David Ogden to step up and serve our great Nation in this challenging role.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the privilege to appear before you, a friend of 30 years here in this institution.

I want it to be debated properly.

There has never been a nuclear aircraft carrier in Mayport.

I think they have gone from the area of 'need to have' to the area of 'nice to have.'

I urge everybody to put aside partisanship and work together.

He is a man of integrity, he is a man of the law, and I think and I know he will exercise political independence.