The senator pointed out Alabama is experiencing the best economy in the history of the state and getting even better. Shelby mentioned the most recent announcement of the awarding on an Air Force contract to Northrop/Grumman for an new air refueling tanker to be built in Mobile. This will make Mobile only the third city in the U.S. that builds large aircraft. Nationally, he sees the biggest challenge as energy. His plan is to upgrade the Alabama educational system, having brought home $470 million to Alabama universities. His goal is $1 billion. Internationally, Senator Shelby stated the troop moral is good in Iraq and in a meeting with Alabama soldiers their request was to "not sell us out." He fears the Talaban is getting stronger in Afghanistan. Shelby does not agree with President Bush on U.S. immigration. He thinks controls should be tougher. It is estimated there are presently 14 million illegal aliens in the U.S. Locally, Shelby has secured $250 million for the construction of I-22 and when completed will change the economic outlook for northwest Alabama. Senator Shelby sits on the Senate Appropriations and Transportation Committees, Both are extremely helpful for Alabama's continued economic growth. His stated goal as a senator is "to leave the earth better than we found it."