mr. westmoreland for an opening statement. >> thank you for calling this hearing. this is a very important hearing and before i began or continue to comment i would like to fill out some numbers. 63 is the number of banks that failed in georgia since 2008. twelve is the number of bank failures in georgia in 2011. ken is the number of banks headquartered in my district that have failed since 2008 including this past friday. this number is much larger if you factor in the banks that fail battle we have a branches in the district. these numbers are unacceptable. therefore today i will be introducing a bill to direct the inspector general to study fdic's agreements, banks failing due to paper losses, lack of an ability to modify or work out loans and application of the fdic policies by examiners in the field. this is not only vital thaw for surviving banks but the fdic and this committee can learn from the problems that face georgia in the last three years. it is my hope the fdic and my colleagues will support this bill so we can have an honest assessment of the fdic's

mr. westmoreland: thank you, mr. speaker. i can't express the importance of passing this intelligence authorization bill. this legislation will not only ensure that our intelligence agencies are sufficiently funded to carry out their functions, but will hold them financially accountable. it has been six years since congress has passed a complete intelligence authorization bill. in years past we have simply continued to deem funding for our intelligence programs to be authorized through other appropriations bills. well, our law expressly requires that we explicitly authorize intelligence funding and that is what we need to do here. we need to start passing an authorization bill each year in order to maintain the success of our intelligence communities and spell out exactly what will be provided. i want to commend ranking member ruppersberger and chairman rogers for their work in working together to make sure that this is made possible. the significance of our country's intelligence cannot be overstated. the killing of osama bi

mr. westmoreland: i ask unanimous consent that when the house adjourns today it adjourns to meet at 9:00 a.m.omorrow.thet objection. the speaker pro tempore: the chair lays before the house the following personal requests. the clerk: leaves of absences requested for mr. bilirakis of florida for today and mrs. emerson of missouri for today and the balance of the week. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the requests are granted. the chair will entertain requests for one-minute speeches. for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee rise? mr. roe: ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized mr. roe: thank you, madam speaker, i rise today to pay tribute to all those affected by the devastating storms that ripped through tennessee and 12 other states last week. my thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost loved ones and with those that must rebuild their lives after this terrible natural disaster. just as a people of tennessee came together last year, we will do