Mr. Chairman, Senator Dodd and members of the Committee. I express my gratitude to you and all the members of the Committee for the prompt scheduling of this nomination hearing. It is indeed an honor and a privilege to appear before you today as a nominee to the Federal Election Commission.

May I also, Mr. Chairman, take this opportunity to thank the President for the great confidence that this nomination reflects. Service on the Commission is a source of immense pride to me personally.

If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to continuing my public service at the Federal Election Commission.

Mr. Chairman, over the years I have had the good fortune of working with a number of dedicated and hard working people, and most of all fair individuals at the FEC. This was further bolstered by an FEC Technology and Performance Audit, mandated by Congress and conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC). That report found the FEC's disclosure and compliance activities are executed without partisan bias, which is vital.

I acknowledge, Mr. Chairman, that you and the members of this Committee are heavily burdened with an overload of critically important issues currently before the Senate, so out of deference to your very busy schedules, I will close and will be happy to answer any and all questions you or any member of this Committee may have.

Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today and for all your consideration.