BP CEO telling Congress he's 'devastated' by spill

By FREDERIC J. FROMMER and MATTHEW DALY Associated Press Writers

WASHINGTON (AP) - The chief executive officer of BP expects to tell Congress that he has been "personally devastated" by the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

In testimony prepared for a House hearing on Thursday, BP CEO Tony Hayward says he understands the anger Americans feel toward him and his company.

Hayward acknowledges mistakes but says that he and the company are unwavering in their commitment to fulfill their responsibilities.

Such contrition isn't expected to soften up lawmakers waiting to grill Hayward about BP's role in the worst oil spill in U.S. history. Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan says he expects Hayward to be "sliced and diced" during the hearing.