[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15772-15773]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                        A FEW THOUGHTS ON ENERGY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Osborne). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ehrlich) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. EHRLICH. Mr. Speaker, a few thoughts on energy.
  Last night we acknowledged our duty as responsible stewards of 
America's economy in putting forth a sound energy policy that respects 
and protects our environment.
  We adopted a long-term energy strategy, and it was balanced, Mr. 
Speaker, between conservation and investments in renewable, 
nonrenewable, and nuclear sources. We never lost sight of our 
responsibility for the health and vitality of our environment.
  H.R. 4 places confidence in America's ability to develop technologies 
and market incentives to address our energy need in an environmentally 
safe and cost-effective manner. Americans rely on clean, abundant, and 
affordable energy, Mr. Speaker. All of us want a strong economy and a 
clean, healthy environment.
  Last night, this House reaffirmed its commitment to these principles. 
Further, last night's vote was more than drilling for oil or CAFE 
standards or gasoline additives.
  We refused to reward oil-producing nations openly hostile to the 
United States of America. We said no to OPEC's political whims in 
setting the world price for oil. We said no to taking away consumer 
choice in preference and safety that would have eliminated tens of 
thousands of jobs, good jobs, Mr. Speaker, for American workers.
  We did much more. We created a balanced strategy for America's 
national economic security and environmental need. We laid the 
groundwork to break this Nation's dangerous dependency on foreign oil 
through investments in alternative and renewable energies such as fuel 
cells, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and fusion energy.
  We spoke up, Mr. Speaker, for those in our society whose voice is 
seldom heard, poor, low-income Americans, by reauthorizing and 
improving upon the Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program, the so-
called LIHEAP program, and weatherization programs.
  Mr. Speaker, we approved H.R. 4 last night. It is a responsible, 
balanced energy strategy which recognizes the need for conservation, 
alternative energy, and a healthy environment. This was a great day for 
America. It was a critical day for Marylanders, particularly, and for 
all Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend, the gentleman from the great State 
of Arizona (Mr. Hayworth).

[[Page 15773]]


  Mr. HAYWORTH. I thank my colleague for yielding to me, Mr. Speaker, 
and I appreciate his remarks on legislation on energy.
  One other part of that legislation had to do with the Buy Indian Act 
for the first Americans, involving the first Americans in energy 
transmission and production, and a myriad of other activities that will 
help bring economic vitality to the reservations and sovereign nations.


             Concern About SIDS and Native American Tribes

  Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to speak of another concern 
shared by all Americans, but especially the first Americans. That would 
be SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS can happen to any family 
and is one of the major causes of death in babies from 1 month to 1 
year of age.
  SIDS is used to describe the unexplained death of an infant, and the 
cause of this condition is not known at this time. Researchers continue 
to investigate this mysterious and tragic syndrome.
  Congress has a special trust responsibility to assure the highest 
possible health status for Native Americans. Despite this trust 
responsibility, Native Americans and Alaska natives continue to bear a 
disproportionate burden of illness and premature mortality in 
comparison with other populations in the United States.
  I am extremely concerned about SIDS because this tragic syndrome is 
the leading cause of infant mortality among Native Americans and Alaska 
natives.

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