i'd like to submit first for the record a report that just came out from our greater new orleans inc. that talks about the hidden job loss along the gulf coast. a story that really, in my view, hasn't been told because the unemployment numbers after the mccondo spill have stayed relatively flat. employment and unemployment. but it's because of the shift from south louisiana to north louisiana with the shale plays. but in south louisiana, we still are experiencing tremendous downturn because of the slow permitting process. the deepwater plays are significant, but the shallow water drillers have really been hurt. and according, mr. chairman, to this report, which is really the hidden story of the mccondo spill and the, i thought, inappropriate moratorium, put down 41% of the respondents said they are not currently making a profit. these are the small oil and gas independent marine operators. 70% said they have dipped into their cash reserves. so they're not laying off their employees, but at great hardship to these small and independent businesses that are servicing an industry that the

i'd like to submit first for the record a report that just came out from our greater new orleans inc. that talks about the hidden job loss along the gulf coast. a story that really, in my view, hasn't been told because the unemployment numbers after the mccondo spill have stayed relatively flat. employment and unemployment. but it's because of the shift from south louisiana to north louisiana with the shale plays. but in south louisiana, we still are experiencing tremendous downturn because of the slow