robert roubideaux. will you please proceed with your testimony. but before you do, let me say that your full statement will be made a part of the record. your testimony but before you do, let me say that your full statements will be made a part of the record. >> thank you mr. chairman, mr. vice chairman, members of the committee. i'm dr. yvette roubideaux, director of indian health service and accompanied by vice director. i'm pleased to have an opportunity to testify on the president's fiscal year 2013 request, budget request for the indian health service. for my written statement, reviews in detail what his has completed in funding that congress has appropriated for us in the past few years. since 2008 the budget has increased and it's helped the indian health service make significant progress in our efforts to change and improve the organization as well as in addressing the priorities of our work. our partnership with tribes is fundamental to improving the health of our communities. each year we incorporate tribal budget priorities into our bud

roubideaux after i recognize senator franken. he'll be back on the floor and i'm going to ask him for any opening remarks he has. >> thank you, mr. chairman, i thank you for your courtesy. unfortunately, i have to preside in 15 minutes so i would like to say a couple of things. each year this committee holds hearings on the needs of the -- many issues of great importance for indian country, but only once a year do we examine overall funding levels for native programs. what we choose to fund sends a powerful message to tribes about our priorities. in these times of tight budgets, programs across the federal government are being forced to make painful cuts and do more with less. sadly native communities are far too accustomed to doing more with less. i hope that as we examine this year's budget we will all remember our trust responsibilities to try and think carefully about any cuts to tribal programs. the president's fiscal year 2013 budget has some good things. i'm very happy to see proposed increases for indian health service, t