and senator thomas carper has been a good partner in this discussion. i look forward to their hearings and remind my colleagues that any questioning, any further comments after their opening statements will be finished question to the senators and i take pleasure in introducing the ranking member for his opening statement. >> thank you, i am very pleased you called this hearing today. this is a bread-and-butter of what our committee does and i hope today's hearing will further this important discussion which we have had regularly in similar hearings over the last two -- few years. thanks to the witnesses for taking time out of their busy schedules to be with us today to participate in this hearing the. i am delighted ranking member tom coburn has joined us at our first hearing this year to help set the tone for rooting out government waste. i want to say to you i have seen your reports and i agree with many issues you identified. this may be one of the last opportunities to work together before your retirement. i look forward to effective and rewarding