Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Da Pont, you acknowledge that the U.S. Coast Guard operates in a somewhat different fashion from the Canadian Coast Guard, but to a degree I think their responsibilities are similar to those of the Canadian Coast Guard.
A few years ago this committee attended the coast guard station at Seattle. We were very impressed with the officer in charge there. He's probably one of the most impressive figures I've met in my career here as a politician.
I see that recently a new head of the U.S. Coast Guard was appointed, Vice-Admiral Thad Allen, and you've mentioned his name. When I look at his résumé, I see that he was a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, that he's a specialist in operations in both the coastal and offshore environments, and that he served aboard three coast guard cutters, one of which he commanded. He's got coastal command experience, and it goes on and on.
My question to you is this: what are your qualifications to provide the leadership the coast guard needs at this time?