Thank you, Claudia.
Committee members, we have with us today two witnesses: Monsieur Ricciardi and Mr. Johnson.
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedules to appear before the committee today. Certainly committee members look forward to your presentations and the opportunity to ask questions of you with respect to the study we've undertaken on invasive species.
Dr. Ricciardi, please proceed. I believe the clerks informed you that we generally allow about ten minutes for opening presentations, and then we'll move into questions and answers. If I cut you off, I apologize in advance. Members are constrained by timeframes in the interest of fairness, and certainly I make every attempt not to cut off our witnesses. Sometimes our members will be long-winded, and I appreciate your cooperation in advance.
Professor, if you'd like to proceed at this point, please do.