It was a priority partly because of the need, because of the importance, but it was also an opportunity to make greater use of the observation programs that we had. It forced us to actually bring a number of elements together in terms of data and knowledge and expertise such that, I think, the outcome was greater than the sum of its parts. We actually learned a great deal about how to work together, how to direct our efforts towards issues that are of national and international importance; and it was a synergy. Being one of the people who actually tried to get all the cats to work together, I'm extremely proud of the outcome.
On February 13th, 2018. See this statement in context.