Thank you very much.
Thank you for your confidence in allowing me to again serve as your chair in this committee.
The first piece of business is routine proceedings. I have a motion that I need to refer you to from the House. But first I think it's most appropriate, since this is a veterans affairs committee, that we take two minutes to remember our First World War veteran John Babcock, who, as you know, has passed away. He represents the last of a generation who fought for our freedom, democracy, and human rights.
Let's take two minutes of silence and remember those who paid the ultimate price in World War I.
[Moments of silence observed]