[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 12, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    PAT WOOD SHOULD RESIGN AS CHAIRMAN OF FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY 
                               COMMISSION

  (Mr. PASCRELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, tonight we begin our debate on campaign 
finance reform. How fitting that this argument is occurring amidst the 
investigation into the power wielded by the leaders of Enron 
Corporation. What a perfect example of the corruption of money in 
politics.
  Last week I reached out to Pat Wood, III, the current Chair of the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. I urged him to resign.
  In light of the influence that Kenneth Lay, the former CEO of Enron 
Corporation, had over both his appointment to FERC and his subsequent 
chairmanship of the Commission, it is apparent that Pat Wood's ability 
to fairly and neutrally oversee the country's energy policies has been 
irrevocably compromised.
  These are just some of the facts surrounding Pat Wood's appointment 
to FERC. One, Ken Lay interviewed all potential nominees to FERC and 
presented the President's personnel director with a list of top 
choices; two, on that list were two of the present Commissioners, Pat 
Wood, III, and Ms. Nora Brownell; three, a ``litmus test'' was 
presented to potential Commissioners during these interviews wherein 
the nominees were made aware that they must either promote Enron's 
interests or not receive the appointment, and this is outrageous; and, 
four, Pat Wood, III, was Kenneth Lay's choice to replace Curtis Hebert.
  This is just the beginning and one of the reasons why we need 
campaign finance reform. These are the facts, not fiction.

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