mr. coble, who was a member of this committee and also serves -- who is a member of this committee and also serves on at the transportation committee. we will begin with ms. baldwin. >> thank you, mr. chairman, and members of the subcommittee, for allowing me the opportunity to testify today. i think it is appropriate that we're convened to consider and discuss this legislation during the month of may, which is elder abuse awareness month. i want to thank my colleague from north carolina, mr. coble, for his leadership on this issue. i also want to extend my thanks to your panel of expert witnesses who will follow this panel. my own experiences on this issue began as a primary caregiver for my grandmother. that experience opened my eyes to the troubling exploitative tactics targeted at america's seniors but growing up in wisconsin, i was raised by my maternal grandparents. but i went away to college, i returned to my hometown of madison to be there for my grandmother, who by then was widowed. sh

the chair now recognizes the general -- joan and from north carolina, mr. coble. >> a story of local interest back home. both served by united, delta, and continental. how will this affect airports that have seen an increase in passenger service as a result of the current dismal economy, and if approved, with this merger provide the opportunity for communities, such as the one i represent, to attract additional service? >> congressman, as jeff and i both said, we serve 148 small communities, and they have made their case for service. at the economy improves, both of us are always mindful of opportunities that new markets might provide, in here very recently, certainly speaking on behalf of united, -- and hear very recently, certainly speaking on behalf of united -- an here very recently. as was mentioned by mr. oberstar recently, we are now finding ourselves in markets such as south carolina which is not a market that would qualify as hub status, and they are competing vigorously, as well. as the economy improves, in markets such as you represent, greensboro, n.c

mr. coble: madam speaker, i make infrequent appearances in the house well, but today i feel obliged to express my disappointment to mrs. obama's decision to conduct an elaborate vacation in spain. she and members of her entourage are spending lavishly and american taxpayers will subsidize this vacation with lavish payments as well. with the dismal american economy in the tank, this spanish vacation, madam speaker, was ill-conceived, ill-timed, and generously laced with illogical arrogance. it is my belief that the first lady owes an apology to american taxpayers for this exercise in reckless spending. i thank the speaker. and yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from the virgin islands rise? mrs. christensen: unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mrs. christensen: thank you, madam speaker. i don't know why my colleagues on the other side have problems with the bill we came ba