...Walker's prepared statement follows:] PREPARED STATEMENT OF HON. ROBERT S. WALKER, A REPRESENTATIvE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF PENNSYLvANIA Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to commend you and your staff for your work on this bill and your efforts to move ahead with legislative...

...the resolution of our current trade deficit problems. Thank you. [The prepared statement follows:] Statement of Hon. Thomas J. Ridge, a Representative in Congress From the State of Pennsylvania Chairman Gibbons, distinguished members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity...

...statement. [The statement of Mr. Edgar follows:] OPENING STATEMENT OP HON. BOB EDGAR, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am concerned that the Veterans' Administration will receive adequate funds and staff with which to...

...hopefully we will go into some markup session to draft legislation and report it out of this committee. 142 STATEMENT OF HON. THOMAS J. RIDGE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA Mr. RIDGE. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. It is a pleasure for me to introduce...

...committees in the deliberations we have to make. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Ridge. OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. THOMAS J. RIDGE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA Mr. RIDGE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And, likewise, I would like the record to reflect...

...We appreciate your contribution to the record, Senator. Tom, Representative Ridge, please proceed. STATEMENT OF HON. THOMAS J. RIDGE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA Mr. Ridge. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would ask unanimous consent that in addition...

...Mr. Ridge? Mr. Ridge is recognized to testify. You are the principal sponsor of HR 1737. TESTIMONY OF HON. THOMAS J. RIDGE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA Mr. RIDGE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, very much. I want to apologize to the panel here...

...right. Mr. DYMALLY. Thank you very much, Mr. Murtha. Mr. MURTHA. Thank you. Mr. DYMALLY. Mr. Ridge. STATEMENT OF HON. THOMAS J. RIDGE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA Mr. RIDGE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, I would like to ask unanimous consent...

...from Pennsylvania. Your full statement will be included in the record, if you want to summarize it. STATEMENT OF HON. THOMAS J. RIDGE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA Mr. RIDGE. Thank you, that is what I would like to do. First of all, I want to thank...

...much, Mr. Myers. Mr. Ridge, you may proceed. Your formal statement will be accepted for the record. STATEMENT OF HON. THOMAS J. RIDGE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA Mr. RIDGE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate that very much. I would like to basically...