by the chairman of the whole committee, even though we're into questioning i'm going to yield to hal rodgers to make an opening statement or any comments he may make. >> thank you, mr. chairman. poll jiz for being late and i have to leave early because we've got three simultaneous hearings. >> yes, we do. >> that i have to be at. i wanted to be here with the director, and you. i want to echo the sentiments exercised by the chairman, ranking member and others regarding our former colleague and committee member, marty sabo. marty dedicated over 47 years of his life to public service, 28 of which was in this house, including two years as the first ranking member of this subcommittee. david, i'm correct on that, aren't i? when we started this subcommittee on homeland security in '80, and '03, marpty was ranking member, i was the first chairman. we worked together beautifully and i think effectively for those years. he was a true patriot. he was a great legislator, former speaker of his home state house, and many other things. my condolences go out to his family, silvia, his wife, and loved ones,

by the chairman of the whole committee, even though we're into questioning i'm going to yield to hal rodgers to make an opening statement or any comments he may make. >> thank you, mr. chairman. poll jiz for being late and i have to leave early because we've got three simultaneous hearings. >> yes, we do. >> that i have to be at. i wanted to be here with the director, and you. i want to echo the sentiments exercised by the chairman, ranking member and others regarding our