so major hickey, i don't know what we would have done without you. colonel marksano came to our side and helped us understand what was happening in the media and how news cycles work and just gave us an understanding of what to do. you don't know what to do. you are overwhelmed. so thank you. the idaho national guard, the facilities that we had to travel to for secure briefings and the fact that you were there and so graciously willing to help, being led by the govern at the top and general sayler. they are here right. general goodell, thanks, guys. we felt like we were a family. and we didn't have to travel to washington every time we needed a briefing because we could come here. govern bush otter, we knew they were there and we knew if we needed anything they would continue to be there as unwavering support. now, i want to talk about the future, starting right now. so, the recovery and reintegration of bowe bergdahl is a work in progress. i want to really convey that because it is isn't over for us. in many ways, it's just beginning for jani and i

so major hickey, i don't know what we would have done without you. colonel mark sawno came to our side and helped us understand what was happening in the media and how news cycles worked, and just gave us an understanding of what to do. you don't know what to do. you're overwhelmed. so colonel, thank you. the idaho national guard. the facilities that we had to travel to for secure briefings and the fact that you were there and so graciously willing to he help, being led by governor otter at the top and general sailor, they're here, right? thanks, guys. i mean, we felt like we were family. and we didn't have to travel to washington every time we needed a briefing because we could come here. governor butch otter and lori, personal support there was off the top coming from the governor's office. they were there, and we knew they were there, and we knew that if we needed anything, they would continue to be there. it was unwaivering support. now, i want to talk about the future. starting right now. so the recovery and reintegration of bowe bergdahl is a w

major hickey, i don't know what we would have done without you.olonel marsano stood by our side and helped us understand what was happening in the media and how news cycles worked and just gave us an understanding of what to do. you don't know what to do. you're overwhelming. so colonel marsano, thank you. the idaho national guard, the facilities that we had to travel to for secure briefings and the fact that you were there and so graciously willing to help being led by the governor at the top and general saylor, they are here. thanks, guys. i mean, we felt like we were a family and we didn't have to travel to washington every time we needed a briefing because we could come here. the governor was off the top coming from the governor's office. they were there and we knew they were there and we knew that if we needed anything, they would continue to be there as unwavering support. now i want to talk about the future starting right now. so the recovery and reintegration of bowe bergdahl is a work in progress. i want to really convey that. because it

i know major hickey and doc pop lin feel the same way. have supported the p.o.w./mia cause. i know bob and jana have some more words on that those of us who serve in the uniform have grieved with the families of our brothers and sister who is made the ultimate sacrifice and we share the agony of those who come back from our wars with physical and mental scars. our thoughts are with them always. but today we have the opportunity to share in the joy of one family whose son is coming home to them. the bergdahls have been through an ordeal the rest of us can only imagine and we're glad for their happy outcome. ladies and gentlemen, please welcome bob and jana bergdahl. [ applause ] >> thank you so much. please forgive me if i do end up reading this. i'm going to try not to. but i probably will. today i'm going to address my son. i love you, bowe, i'm so very proud of you and of course all of your very large family would also like me to tell thaw they love you, also. and are also very proud of you. we've been working very, very hard for your r

piece by fredreat hickey last month and he talked about all the places we see inflation that are notsured by the commerce department. cited cable tve and how much those fees have risen. is that something that has resonated with lawmakers? we are not hearing a lot of specific opposition from lawmakers or specific concerns when it comes to this deal. we hear some very broad statements of concern about the general landscape of these megamergers specific to telecommunications. it does not really have to do with pay-tv or content providers as much. we hear more questions about rural broadband, access for rural areas, unions and what this means for workers, those sorts of things. does not seem there is a lot of direct opposition to this deal as much as there is general concern about this year of megamergers we are in. >> it sounds like they are having this hearing in 1982. >> it's worth mentioning we have another hearing coming up on the senate side at 2:30 p.m. eastern and we will year from senator al franken who is a big proponent for the comcast time warner deal. we may hear more from h

you can listen to additional recordings by hickey and also by other actors at exit berlin.org. in addition to luzie's correspondence with her family "exit berlin" has her exchanges with friends who escaped germany. i thought it was important to put these in the book because these letters were important to luzie. once luzie left hac at the end of the workday she was an anonymous figure in this vast city. how wonderful it must have been to go home and find a letter from someone who cared about her. these are not letters about immigration quotas rather at least at times they brought good news. weather was onto hirschfeld her friend who writes from toronto who sent this advertisement of his new giftware business for arnold who makes his way to england or the freed landers very dear friends who sent words from bolivia of their daughter ingrid's wedding. .. it was probably in excess of these unknown in significant sums of money in the depression, and this was not a man lacking in generosity in any way, and i just want to share with you a piece of intimation that is not in the book be

i finally raised this issue to the undersecretary, allison hickey. she has agreed to try to ensure that we do not have these obstacles or have this resistance and that we work toward a facilitated process so that oig can help vba get it right. this is important to spend so much time dealing with a nuance of a technically how you say something versus trying to fix the big picture, is not the way to go. i think you need to look at what are we saying, why are we saying it, how does it affect veterans? and then go make changes you need in these programs. >> last question. in your view, given the challenges the va faces addressing the long-standing backlog of claims, do you feel the va has control over its remaining workload? >> at this time we see vba spending backlog in compensation claims is dropping. however, i have significant concerns that they do not have a good handle on some of the workload in other areas. for example, in the area of dependency issues, as of may 15, 2004, their own report, the vets net operations report, shows almost 253,000 disa

because they have to think about not only their particular experience but the market as a whole steve hickeymention of the risk pools are constructed it includes both the exchange plans and the un on exchange plans in having someone asked about the changes that might have contributed doesn't affect the calculation? >> talk about the single risk pool on and off the of the exchange specifically about the aca compliance rates on and off the exchange is that aca complying and plans to have the traditional role treated separately because have the choice in certain states by reviewing the nine aca compliant coverage to decide what makes more sense to move to a compliance plan but that means that risk pool pinsetter outside the exchange could be a little worse than expected. >> in to change dramatically before the end of the year remember we have had very limited pharmacy data as is. as we get more experience lovely sea today can change drastically if you follow the law street analysis it is difficult to draw long-term conclusions for various purposes just to put that disclaimer on it. >> good afte

that tells me, i mean, phil hickey isn't giving out information all the time.have no idea what they will do. and b would be tough decision, we know he can play, but can he be healthy? >> bigotriesing. >> if he comes to philadelphia, do you have run make at city hall or something >> deal. >> i know you two are big yoga fans. listen to there is though, may cost you more to hit the jim. lawmakers actually approved so-called yoga tax on jim studio other athletic so-calmy dental hygienist, she's awesome. but very demanding. so i've decided to go pro. with crest pro-health. [ male announcer ] 4 out of 5 dentists confirmed these pro-health products helped maintain a professional clean. [ tisola ] i've raised my game. i guess that's what happens when you go pro. [ male announcer ] go pro with crest pro-health. ♪ from the crest factory in greensboro, north carolina to a walmart near you. join walmart and crest in supporting american jobs. i never know what kind theof adventure awaits. that the days are longer, and the breeze feels a little sweeter. and, thanks to volvo,

. >> if it's signed for general hickey by one of the staff yes, this is the official comments. >> okay. all right. in terms of your role -- and i think it's very, very important to go back to how would you even be more pro active in light of some of these thing. do you have any recommendations in regards to that? i'm not asking you to do more work -- yeah i am asking you to do more work. >> i think we plan the audits appropriate based on the risk. i think there needs more discussion at the senior levels as work is completed to really how are you going to fix the problem? and as i alluded to before, worrying about the little technical nuances and getting everything just letter perfect really doesn't get you there. you really have to address the overall problem and how veterans are affected with the processing and what's happening and whatever objective of the audits you're dealing with. >> thank you. i yield back. >> chair recognizes the gentleman from texas. mr. o'rourke. >> thank you, chairman. the benefits delivery discharge claims, the bdd and the quick start claims i think year to