From my standpoint, I don't recall whether the question was asked. I'd defer to the transcript. If it had been asked to me, I would have said yes. I think I would respond by saying that if I didn't believe in this, I wouldn't have taken this assignment.
Specifically the reason this assignment was given to me as the corporate ADM is due to the fact that I have very little involvement with veterans programs. I'm not responsible for the policies, the programs, the service delivery of any of the programs. And certainly I have, in my view, a greater degree of independence because of the fact that I'm not accountable for the actual delivery of services to veterans.
However, I am part of the overall management team, undoubtedly. Certainly I would not have taken this assignment.... If I may say so, Mr. Chair, I'll have been with the government for 35 years in January coming and have worked in a variety of departments in a variety of cities. Any assignment I've taken in the past and will take in the future will be for things I believe in and things in which I think I can make a difference.