they are just doing a whole lot better; dropout rate down, college attendance up.

Listen, I am aware of that. They have done a better job; we are making progress.

We ought to grant them, I think, in some of these agencies to say, there they are, you can use them now, to eliminate some of the paper work.

These are big picture things that I am asking about because you are coming on new.

But what you need is some one to help you with that job like John Salamone, who worked with me at one time.

I really would like to see that legislation pass because I think it is needed.

I wonder if you have had a chance to look at some of those reports to ascertain whether or not people have taken the issue of human capital seriously.

I am so tired of year after year of running into people who say the hiring system does not work.

One of the things that Senator Akaka and I worked on was the issue of annual leave tied solely to the employee's years of Federal employment.

I have worked tirelessly on that National Security Personnel System (NSPS) to improve performance in the Department of Defense (DOD).

I think it is extremely important that we honor these folks that have made a difference for us.