I am very aware that there are many of you who have friends and loved ones in the areas affected by this storm who have been displaced or who have not yet been accounted for.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.

Our hearts and prayers go out to all those who have been affected or have loved ones who were harmed by this terrible storm, ... We understand how important it is for displaced residents and emergency personnel to have access to telecommunications services.

Never in our country's history have we witnessed a natural disaster that has impacted so many people in such a wide area. In fact, as of the writing of this column, millions of people along the Gulf Coast have been displaced from their homes in a period of only five days.

I am the lead on NBC's 'Siberia,' and I loved that experience.

I am certain more emergency supplemental bills will be needed before this process is concluded. In fact, there is a point I have repeated several times recently which keeps the enormity of this situation in perspective.