we have appreciated the perspective and time given by nag and its executive director jim mcpherson. and several attorneys general to inform our thinking on challenges and opportunities that we face now because our offices transitioning from an appointed attorney general to an elected attorney general. and we've been glad to join and help the district have an ability to have its voice heard on national matters, an issue of particular importance to us in light of the minimal and unjust situation that we have no voting representation in congress. we've also been fortunate on behalf of our 600,000 citizens to have the opportunity to work on and join in some of the important multi-state settlements that our collective resources have made possible. most of you have been in washington before, and i want to welcome you back. for those of you here for the first time, i encourage to take advantage of the wonderful things in our city, the wonderful things it has to offer, including historical and scenic site, good food, shopping, and other taxable events. we've had an exciting year here in the

we have appreciated the perspective and time given by naag and its executive director, jim mcpherson, and several attorneys general, to inform our thinking on challenges and opportunities that we face now because our office is transitioning from an appointed attorney general to an elected attorney general, which begins in 2014. in addition, we recognize and value the fine work by many other offices on amicus briefs and letters, to the federal government and others, that we've been glad to join and that helped the district have an ability to have its voice heard on national matters, an issue of particular importance to us in light of the lamentable and unjust situation that we have no voting representation in congress. we have also been fortunate on deaf of our 600,000 citizens to have the opportunity to work on and join in on some of the important multistate settlements that our collective resources have made possible. most of you have been in washington before and i want to welcome you back. for those here for the first time, i encourage you to take a dish of the wonderful things in