[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 105 (Thursday, July 14, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H5030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       LOUISIANA COASTAL WETLANDS

  (Mr. RICHMOND asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. RICHMOND. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank President Obama 
and the administration for recognizing how important Louisiana wetlands 
are not only to Louisiana citizens but also to the country. President 
Obama put $35.8 million into his budget for coastal restoration 
projects in Louisiana.
  Madam Speaker, I also rise today to implore the Republican leadership 
to right the wrong in zeroing out the money that the President put in 
for our coastal restoration. The Federal Government has made over $150 
billion through offshore oil and gas revenues, primarily from oil and 
gas exploration off the coast of Louisiana. Louisiana has lost 25 
square miles of coastal wetlands every year, or one football field 
every hour.
  More than 80 percent of the Nation's offshore oil and gas is produced 
off Louisiana's coast, and 25 percent of the Nation's foreign and 
domestic oil comes ashore on Louisiana roads and waterways. The coastal 
zone also contains the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, which handles 13 
percent of the Nation's daily oil imports.
  Madam Speaker, I would just implore the Republican leadership to do 
the right thing and restore the money for Louisiana's wetlands.

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