The public face that most Americans associate with BP and the Gulf disaster -- and one that also has come to represent charges of corporate arrogance and greed -- will face Congress today, where lawmakers will take turns in a long-awaited public flogging sure to capture the outrage of the nation.

BP CEO Tony Hayward expects to tell Congress he is "personally devastated" by the Gulf drilling rig explosion and oil spill and understands the anger Americans feel toward him and his company.

The explosion and sinking of the BP-operated Deepwater Horizon rig "never should have happened -- and I am deeply sorry that they did," he said in testimony to be delivered to a House panel Thursday. "My sadness has only grown as the disaster continues."

A copy of Hayward's testimony was obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.

"To be sure, neither I nor the company is perfect," Hayward said. "But we are unwavering in our commitment to fulfill all our responsibilities." He said the British-based company has spent nearly $1.5 billion since the April 20 explosion, and won't stop until the job is done.