craig fugate, and frank grass from missouri will be testifying today as well.let me say that this hearing is focused on her cane response because we snap started hurricane season this week, but we will be a salmon issues that affect not just the hurricane region but all regions of the country in this hearing today and we will be focusing on plans and processes that actually have applicability across the board from many different types of threats the its hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.. the ranking member and i both represent stains that have seen a large portions of our states, major cities and very important role in areas devastated by recent hurricanes. 2004, 2005, in 2008 were particularly hard years for cities and communities throughout the gulf coast from with florida to texas but the last century has been difficult for many states now like to put the first chart up there in a news of a number of hurricanes that is the hurricane belt from 1955 to 2005. and the blue line is very keen katrina -- hurricane katrina which was the greatest among all who the storms

we are happy to have craig fugate with us who is the new administrator from fema who i supported and many members of the senate, you are greatly experienced. we thank you for the work you've already done. but we're looking forward to hearing from you, because you know as i know that while we've made some progress there's a tremendous amount of work that has to be done and we're looking to you for leadership and guidance. and may i say before you start, my great thanks for nancy ward who came in on the election of president obama and the appointment of secretary of homeland security, janet nap ol tano stepped in the interrim and was able to make a tremendous improvement and i know you are happy with what she was able to do. but i wanted to acknowledge that and to thank you for now being the formal and official director and look forward to your remarks. >> thank you, madam chairman, senator land rue, senator burriss, there is always your first time to testify a lot of formalities. i've submitted written testimony to address some of the questions, i have some opening statements. i will

we are happy to have craig fugate with us who is the new administrative from the muck, and man that i supported and keep my wholehearted support for and many members of the senate. you are

the challenges we face for the upcoming hurricane season, america's newest fema administrator craig fugate has just provided you a very compelling update for fema's readiness for the upcoming season. i cannot think of a better professional to lead fema. as someone who has been associated with the field for more of a quarter of a century craig and his something management team are the most diverse, qualified and hands-on group to occupy the senior seats of this agency. this is bolster by its group in the parent organization the department of homeland security. it gives me optimism and it should give optimism to americans that the federal government is continuing to reform and improve in its ability to support communities and states in dealing with emergencies and disasters of all kinds. but to be fair, however, even with this great leadership team, the federal government is but one part of america's preparedness equation. federal readiness should not imply national readiness. other parts local and state government, nonprofits, the private sector and american citizens have equally compelling