[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 10, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RESTARTING AMERICAN OFFSHORE LEASING NOW ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1230) to 
     require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct certain 
     offshore oil and gas lease sales, and for other purposes:

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 
1230.
  Gas prices continue to rise. The instability in the Middle East is 
threatening our supply, and we already import much of our oil from 
countries that are hostile to our interests. We need to safely and 
responsibly produce our domestic resources offshore in order to reduce 
this reliance on foreign imports and in turn, increase our economic 
growth.
  We cannot forget that just one production rig equals 500 jobs--100 
workers on the rig, plus 400 workers supporting drilling operations 
onshore. This industry comprises not only oil and gas companies, but 
also a network of suppliers and contractors that purchase goods as 
diverse as forgings, valves, computers, chemicals and helicopters from 
suppliers in all 50 states.
  That is why I support H.R. 1230, which would force lease sales in the 
Gulf of Mexico and offshore Virginia that were delayed or cancelled 
following the Macondo spill.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

                          ____________________