On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind. As a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind.

In the Gulf region and nationwide, small businesses are an integral and crucial part of local economies and communities. They should not be overlooked.

As the war on terror continues, Americans must honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for the protection of this nation and the hope of peace.

The undisturbed coastal plain is home to a wide variety of plants and animals and is the only wilderness sanctuary in North America that protects a complete range of the arctic ecosystem.

The high prices also highlight the fact that the U.S. is too heavily dependent on fossil fuels that we import from unstable parts of the world. To protect our national security, we must become more energy secure.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a unique and biologically special place that should be preserved.

I hope that we can continue this cooperation on other critical issues related to America's future technological competitiveness. We must work together to encourage the creative talents that have made our country the world leader in technology.