[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 19, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H2329-H2330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PERSIAN GULF WAR

  (Mr. HALL of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, 5 years ago the United States fought 
a war in the Persian Gulf to safeguard our access to a plentiful supply 
of crude oil in the Middle East. In 1991, the United States had a lot 
at stake in the Persian Gulf, and since then not much has changed. This 
country must make it a top priority to protect its access to a 
plentiful supply of crude oil--which is why we went to war in the first 
place. This Nation will fight for energy.
  The gulf crisis prompted a need for dramatic changes in U.S. energy 
policy. Since that time, we have made some movement forward by allowing 
the export of crude oil in Alaska, and providing drilling and 
exploration incentives for offshore drilling. I applaud

[[Page H2330]]

my colleagues and the leaders of this country in the advancements we 
have made to this precious industry, but we must not stop there. We 
must continue to strive toward more U.S. oil and gas production and 
guard against the interruption of foreign supplies in the future. If we 
fail to recognize the dangers of an increased reliance on imported oil, 
this country could once again find itself in the same predicament we 
were in with the Middle East in 1991.
  At a time when Washington is trying to balance the budget and 
promising ways to stimulate the economy, Congress and the leaders of 
this Nation must take a hard look at the domestic oil and gas industry 
for answers. In the end, this Nation's economy will reap the benefits 
of a strong domestic industry instead of suffering the consequences of 
our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.

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