i appreciate my colleague yielding . 
i know he will continue with his statement . 
i want the body to know that i very much share his concern . 
the gentleman from wisconsin ( mr. obey ) xz4003000 and i have discussed this issue . 
he expresses his concern very clearly ; as did the gentleman from florida ( mr. young ) xz4004391 . 
it has been my privilege to work with the gentleman for years , and i know of his commitment to the department and our work . 
indeed the administration does owe us the courtesy of adequate and appropriate response time . 
