members of the committee that you would come here today on behalf of this nominee, thank you for being here. >> could i play special recognition to senator mccain? >> no. >> i was going to add from the great state of maine. and someone we used to call governor and now proudly call senator. nice to see you. >> he represents the geriatric part of this committee. >> led by -- >> i thank both senator nunn and senator cohen for being here. obviously, the committee meets today to consider the nomination of general james mattis to be the secretary of defense of the united states. two years ago general mattis, the last time you came before this committee, the idea we would be meeting again under the present circumstance was have been hard to imagine most of all by you but i, for one koshgs not be happier.