[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN M. SPRATT, JR

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, last night, at about 11:23 pm, the House 
voted 206-223 against an amendment to H.R. 4 offered by Representative 
Markey. I arrived at the House floor a moment after the vote was 
closed, so my vote was not recorded, but I intended to vote ``aye'' on 
the Markey amendment.
  I want the record to be clear regarding my position on drilling in 
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or ``ANWR.'' I do not support drilling 
on the coastal plain of ``ANVR.'' While estimates of the amount of oil 
that might be recovered from the area vary, I am simply not convinced 
that spoiling one of the world's last pristine areas is the right 
answer to our nation's energy problems. In fact, I am a cosponsor of 
legislation to declare the coastal plain of the reserve, often referred 
to as ``Section 1002,'' a wildlife refuge so that no drilling can take 
place. This bill, H.R. 770, the Morris K. Udall Arctic Wilderness Act 
of 2001, was introduced by Representative Markey earlier this year.
  I feel strongly enough about protecting ANWR that during debate on 
H.R. 4 yesterday, I voted against two amendments offered by 
Representative Sununu to H.R. 4--rollcall votes No. 315 and No. 316--
designed to make drilling in ANWR more palatable. Furthermore, my vote 
against final passage of H.R. 4 and for the Motion to Recommit was 
based in no small part on my disappointment in the bill's ANWR 
provisions. I regret that I was not able to record my vote on the 
Markey amendment, but the record should be clear: I support it.

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