[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 13022-13023]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               EXPLORATION, INNOVATION, AND CONSERVATION

  (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, the continued rise in 
energy prices threatens our economy and our national security. There 
are unfriendly nations around the world that are reliant on the world's 
addiction to oil. Unstable leaders like Venezuelan President Hugo 
Chavez delight

[[Page 13023]]

in our dependence on imported oil and they are invested in using that 
power to promote their destructive agenda. Our national security is 
threatened by these circumstances. At the same time, we are sending 
billions of our dollars out of this country to buy foreign oil.
  House Republicans have proposed a sensible plan of exploration, 
innovation and conservation that outlines long-term and short-term 
solutions to promote energy independence.
  There is absolutely no reason why we cannot expand American oil and 
natural gas exploration, develop alternative energy sources and promote 
energy efficiency all at the same time. Incorrectly, the energy debate 
in this country has been sold as a fight between those who support 
alternative fuels and those who want to drill. The House Republican 
plan includes all of the above.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September the 11th.

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