he is an extraordinarily able and conard individual with a great skill set.obviously he comes to the senate for reasons that our sad for all of us most particularly for him because he was a confidante of senator ted kennedy but i don't think anybody would be happier or prouder than teddy to know that paul kirk is here. i just joked with him that teddy is probably in have been laughing and saying okay kirk now let me see what you can do in the senate. [laughter] so paul it is a great honor to welcome you here to this committee. [inaudible] to be part of a body that is so important to our democracy and with senator kennedy obviously loved as an institution and as you say the circumstances of my being here provide me with an incredible honor on the part of my own life and i hope to be able to work closely with u.n. senator collins. i know this committee enjoys a great record and has an important mission and we look out for our security here at home and protect our troops abroad and if i can contribute in any way to what we are dealing here as an important body o