[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 13, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H1899-H1900]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IT IS TIME TO LEAD AMERICA TO ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, as summer approaches, I 
am concerned about the effect that rising gas prices are having on 
family budgets and small businesses. In the past 3 weeks, gas prices 
have skyrocketed by 19 cents because of growing demand, high crude oil 
prices, and higher refining costs.
  Congress can help reduce gas prices by finally implementing a 
comprehensive national energy policy. For the past 4 years, the House 
has passed sound energy legislation that will reduce our reliance on 
foreign sources of

[[Page H1900]]

energy, increase conservation and increase the use of clean, modern and 
reliable sources of energy. But Democrats are playing politics, 
smearing Tom DeLay, Dick Cheney and Condoleezza Rice, and the United 
States still does not have a comprehensive national energy policy.
  South Carolina families need relief from record high energy costs, 
and Congress can now act to lead America to greater energy 
independence. This is a matter of economic and national security and we 
cannot afford to wait another year.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September 11.

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