Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this important hearing on the management reforms that are taking place within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. I want to commend Secretary Cuomo for tackling many of the problems that have been inherited from years of mismanagement, abuse and misuse of funds. I also want to thank the General Accounting Office and HUD's Inspector General office for identifying many of HUD's problems and forcing the Department to focus on solving them.

Although the mere implementation of the HUD 2020 Management Reform is a leap in the right direction, it will not cure all ills. It is important for all of us to realize that just as HUD did not reach GAO's "high risk" designation because of one year's problems, so HUD will not solve all its problems in one year and will not likely be taken off the "high risk" list soon.

The Government Performance and Results Act has been a tremendous help in guiding our agencies and departments when preparing their budgets. This process increases accountability, and thus, public trust. The GPRA requires departments to form a strategic plan and implement performance goals and measures, focusing on outcomes. I do have concerns about the vague and broad missions of the Department, such as the all-inclusive goal to "empower people and communities." In order for HUD to get on its feet it must focus on what it was created to do.

I am pleased to see that HUD has addressed some of the criticisms of the Inspector General and the General Accounting Office, but I believe much work still needs to be done. It is only through continued cooperation and constructive dialog with the IG and GAO that HUD will be able to get its own house in order.

I look forward to hearing the testimony of the witnesses. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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