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WE ARE PLEASED TO HAVE WITH US THREE DISTINGUISHED WITNESSES WHO WILL PROVIDE US THEIR PERSPECTIVES ON INTELLIGENCE REFORM AND THE LARGER RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 9-11 COMMISSION.

OUR WITNESSES ARE:

DOCTOR JOHN HAMRE, WHO WAS THE FORMER UNDERSECRETARY OF DEFENSE AND WHO NOW IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES;

JUDGE RICHARD POSNER, JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, 7TH CIRCUIT WHO HAS WRITTEN A VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING ARTICLE REGARDING INTELLIGENCE REFORM; AND

MR. DALE WATSON, FORMER EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COUNTER-TERRORISM AND COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE, FBI.

WE ARE VERY HONORED TO HAVE YOU APPEAR BEFORE THE COMMITTEE THIS MORNING.

WE APPRECIATE YOU MAKING YOURSELF AVAILABLE TO TESTIFY ON THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT.

THIS IS THE SECOND DAY OF HEARINGS THAT THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE HAS CONDUCTED ON THE 9-11 COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS.

YESTERDAY, WE HEARD FROM DOCTOR KISSINGER AND A PANEL OF FORMER MILITARY CINCS WHO PROVIDED US THEIR PERSPECTIVES ON INTELLIGENCE REFORM.

WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THE WITNESSES BEING WITH US THIS MORNING AND LOOK FORWARD TO THEIR TESTIMONY.

AS WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE, IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT WE ASSESS WHAT CHANGE IS NEEDED WITHIN OUR INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY, AND HOW THE OVERALL SYSTEM CAN BE IMPROVED.

HOWEVER, WE MUST NOT LOSE SIGHT OF HOW INTEGRAL INTELLIGENCE IS TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND WE MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO RUSH TO FAILURE.

WE HOPE TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING ON THESE MATTERS IN OUR HEARING TODAY.