[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 86 (Monday, June 21, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H4585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H4585]]
                            DRILLING IN ANWR

  (Mr. BURGESS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, energy independence should be a goal of 
this Congress. Worldwide demand for petroleum has increased during the 
last decade, and the growth of production has been relatively flat. The 
inevitable result is higher prices at the gasoline pump, and the 
reality is that it takes time to go from the oil field to the gasoline 
station, and we have lost considerable time in this regard.
  In 1995, in the 104th Congress, H.R. 2491, which was passed, would 
have allowed oil exploration in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. 
The Department of Energy has estimated that between 1 and 1.3 million 
barrels of oil a day could be derived from this source.
  Unfortunately, in 1995, that legislation was vetoed by then-President 
Clinton.
  That was nearly 10 years ago; and given a time line of 7 to 14 years 
for building the pipeline structure, it is time we can scarcely afford.
  Mr. Speaker, I have been to ANWR. The vast coastal plain is 
unsuitable for habitation during the summer months because of its 
marshy consistency. Any caribou unlucky enough to calve in this region 
would likely die from exsanguination at the hands of the mosquitoes 
there.
  The people in ANWR are counting on this Congress to do the right 
thing and allow them, the rightful owners of these mineral rights, to 
begin developing the resources that are granted to them upon statehood 
in 1959.
  As we say in Texas, ``Time's a wasting.''

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