[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13298]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       INACTION AND OVERREACTION

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                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 20, 2008

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, depending on what day it 
is, the House Democrat energy policy can be described one of two ways--
either inaction or overreaction. On the one hand, with gas prices over 
4 dollars per gallon and a growing global demand for oil, House 
Democrats refuse to lift the moratoriums against exploring for new oil 
and natural gas reserves here in the United States. On the other hand, 
having now failed to lower gas prices by doing nothing, we hear Members 
of the majority saying we should nationalize the American oil industry. 
Since when did the United States start following the example of 
socialist regimes like that of unstable Venezuelan President Hugo 
Chavez?
  House Republicans have a plan that will not surrender our freedom and 
innovative spirit to the limits of big government. We want to lift the 
unnecessary restrictions on energy exploration. We want to invest in 
alternative energy sources and use the power of the free market to 
drive innovation forward and energy prices down.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September 11th. I am grateful that World War II veteran, Sergeant 
William E. Durkes, Sr., is visiting Washington today continuing to 
celebrate his 92nd birthday.

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