[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E513-E514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF PERSIAN GULF WAR

                                 ______


                        HON. W.J. (BILLY) TAUZIN

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 29, 1996

  Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the fifth anniversary of the 
Persian Gulf war--a war fought over oil in foreign lands. Although the 
U.S. troops and our allies displayed remarkable sophistication and 
prowess in bringing Sadam to his knees, our national security concerns 
remain and our position has weakened. In 1991, America imported 45 
percent of the U.S. demand for oil; 5 years later our dependence has 
grown. Today we import over half, 52 percent of our annual consumption. 
The time has come for the Nation to decide to give our young men and 
women the option to take U.S. jobs on U.S. soil or go to war to protect 
foreign oil on which we are so dependent.
  Our first commitment should be made to the Strategic Petroleum 
Reserve and its mandated 1 billion barrel mark. The mere threat of 
drawing down these reserves calmed the oil and gas markets and 
stabilized the price during the Persian Gulf war crisis. Instead of 
preserving this stockpile we have reduced the minimum fill level, 
ceased the purchase of new oil, decided to sell 7 million barrels of 
oil, maybe as many as 100 million barrels, and lost the use of a 75 
million barrel facility at Weeks Island which is in my district. It is 
time to move in the other direction.
  We must create incentives to produce domestically and keep jobs at 
home instead of driving companies and employees abroad. I encourage 
Congress and the administration to move forward with the technical 
suggestions that the oil and gas caucus presented to President Clinton, 
as well as, sign in to law a commonsense regulatory reform bill, the 
royalty simplification and fairness bill, and the Coast Guard 
authorization bill which contains important language dealing with OPA 
`90's financial responsibility section.
  In addition, we should reject the EPA's efforts to expand the toxic 
release inventory to include certain oil and gas wastes, speak out 
against efforts to increase taxes on oil and gas production and reject 
mandating an OCS moratorium.
  I ask that you join me and many Members in both bodies to enact these 
legislative and regulatory changes. We must send the message that 
America's dependence on foreign oil comes at the price of U.S. lives 
and U.S. jobs.

[[Page E514]]



   STEPHEN GEPPI, THOMAS D'ALESANDRO, JR., GOOD CITIZEN AWARD WINNER

                                 ______


                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 29, 1996

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Stephen Geppi, the 1996 
winner of the Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr., Good Citizenship Award. Named 
for the late, great Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro, this recognition is 
bestowed upon Mr. Geppi for his contributions to the Italian-American 
community.
  Born in Baltimore, Mr. Geppi learned at an early age the importance 
of hard work when he had to leave school to support his mother. His 
first job, at age 9, was bundling comic books and magazines. He opted 
to take part of his wages in comics.
  Even when, as an adult, he took a job with the U.S. Postal Service, 
his interest in comic books did not wane. He began asking customers on 
his mail route for old comic books to sell or trade, and soon earned 
more buying and selling comics than he did delivering the mail.
  Mr. Geppi opened Geppi's Comic World in Baltimore in 1974, and soon 
expanded to four stores. By 1982, he moved into comic distribution, and 
in just over 10 years time he expanded his distribution business to 
over 28 cities across North America and Europe. In addition to 
distribution, he branched out to publishing, and 1 year ago opened 
Diamond International Galleries, devoted to comics, comic collectibles, 
and related art which draws visitors from all over the world.
  Mr. Geppi's extraordinary professional success has not prevented him 
from active involvement in his community. In 1993, he was one of the 
consortium of local investors who brought the Baltimore Orioles back to 
local ownership. He has actively served on civic boards or committees 
with a number of local organizations, including the Maryland Science 
Center, the Baltimore Zoo, the Johns Hopkins Children's Center, the 
College of Notre Dame, the International Museum of Cartoon Art, and the 
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
  This is not the first time Mr. Geppi has been honored for his many 
accomplishments. Most recently, he was named ``Business Owner of the 
Year'' by the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to salute Stephen Geppi for the honor he 
has brought to the Italian-American community by his many 
accomplishments and commitment to the community. He deserves this award 
for the contributions he has made in the spirit and tradition of its 
namesake, Thomas D'Alesandro.

                          ____________________