with warm regards, signed, robert wexler. the speaker pro tempore: the chair lays before the house the following personal requests. the clerk: leaves of absence requested for mr. radmanovic of florida today. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the requests are granted. the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. cake your -- take your conversations to the back of the room. the house will be in order. the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. the speaker pro tempore: think house will be in order. the chair will entertain requests for one-minute speeches. for what purpose does the gentleman from new york rise? >> to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: wok, the gentleman has one minute. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i rise today to honor a remarkable woman. ms. pat seshoo is my office manager -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman will suspend, the house will be in order. the gentleman from new york will please continue. >> she's retiring next week after 33 years on the hill. sh

as most of you know, our colleague robert wexler will resign to become president for the center of middle east peace and cooperation. he is resigning as chairman as the sub committee on europe and will be followed by bill delihunt. he will be focussed on old and new europe. the human rights and oversight committee, following in the footsteps of his grandfather. a con term ramporary of bill's. we thank bob for the service on this committee. we wish all three the best of luck in their new positions. [ applause ] and second i want to welcome the prescribe of hungary. i want to thank the prime minister for his country's leadership of the reconstruction team in afghanistan and for the brave men and women of hungary. welcome, mr. prime minister. [ applause ] witnesses must leave at 4:15, wherever we are. to ensure that as many members as possible can ask questions we will limit opening statements. i will not be taking all of my time. without objection, all others may submit opening statements for the record. i will recognize myself for an opening statement. last night president obama spoke abou