Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I think we get the drift.
I do want to welcome both of you. We appreciate your being here.
I want to go first to Mr. Allard's comments. I know how passionate he feels, because we've had a chance to chat before about getting on with the job. I think it's important as we wrap up our process with the recommendations to keep in mind that one of the things the department is looking forward to is getting the recommendations that this committee is going to provide as part of that change. I don't know whether that impacts the timing or not, but I think it's really important to get in the additional information that's coming forward.
There are a lot of issues out there. There's no question about it. From our side, I have to say that there has been a lot of progress at the same time, along with the frustrations. I want to make sure that when we're through we're all trying to improve--not change because we were frustrated at this point or whatever. The long-term result has to be of benefit.
First, Mr. Stogran, I'm certainly glad to have you back. I know that you're continuing your work, and there are calmer days now, I guess, so you're getting on without difficulty. I think that probably what you're finding is a bit unique, which is good for all of us, and that is that your contacts and so on are direct. I'd like to just pursue that for a moment.
I know that last year the main topic seemed to be homeless veterans, but in your review and your studies you're probably finding other things that you want the committee to be aware of. You were very succinct in your presentation. I wonder if you'd like to add to the kinds of things that we as a committee should be aware of as we make our recommendations back to the charter process.