the san francisco, helped frame the program and did much of the heavy lifting in years past and mike wynn has been indispensable in building our g.i.s. systems and various web applications. i can't say strongly enough, commissioners, this group of folks is the reason for the program's successes. i'd also add that we've certainly enjoyed the excellent services of what does feel like at times the entire city attorney's office. but certainly we owe a great deal of gratitude to the folks in mr. herrera's shop for their great work. so many are others, too many to name at the planning department and elsewhere. my thanks to you, my apologies for taking up so much of your time this morning but i'm here to answer your questions and probably more usefully, the team, the real experts are here to respond to your questions as well. so thank you. >> thank you. let's open it up for public comment. >> my name is feeter per fortune on on the board of san francisco beautiful, representing that nonprofit. you may or may not know that in 2002 we were instrumental in getting proposition g on the ballot. as re

mike splinter, chairman and c.e.o. of applied materials, chad holloday, chairman of the bank of america, william hite, president of the united association of plumbers and pipe fitters, and deborah wynn smith, the president of the c.e.o. counsel. the letter succinctly stated that -- quote -- "scientific researchers and skilled workers are the basis for new ideas, new technologies, new products and services, new companies, even entirely new industries. the american economy cannot compete and grow if we neglect our capacity to innovate." the presiding officer: without objection. mr. bingaman: thank you, mr. president. the other letter is from 175 universities, industries, and laboratories, including the u.s. chamber of commerce, and it supports the goals outlined in the america competes act and asks that -- and it goes on to ask the congress to reject the cuts adopted by the house funding bill. i would ask that that second letter also be included in the record. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. bingaman: let me move to the issue of homeland security. over the last several years, we've had a lot of speeches here in the senate about the need to bolster border security, partic

mike splinter, chairman and c.e.o. of applied materials, chad holloday, chairman of the bank of america, william hite, president of the united association of plumbers and pipe fitters, and deborah wynn smith, the president of the c.e.o. counsel. the letter succinctly stated that -- quote -- "scientific researchers and skilled workers are the basis for new ideas, new technologies, new products and services, new companies, even entirely new industries. the american economy cannot compete and grow if we neglect our capacity to innovate." the presiding officer: without objection. mr. bingaman: thank you, mr. president. the other letter is from 175 universities, industries, and laboratories, including the u.s. chamber of commerce, and it supports the goals outlined in the america competes act and asks that -- and it goes on to ask the congress to reject the cuts adopted by the house funding bill. i would ask that that second letter also be included in the record. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. bingaman: let me move to the issue of homeland security. over the last several years, we've had a lot of speeches here in the senate about the need to bolster border security, partic