Political Quotes

“We have talked a little bit this morning about the ``Serengeti.'' Let me tell you where the ``Serengeti'' of Alaska is. It is another area where all the lakes are, and it is hardly a ``Serengeti'' because the Coastal Plain is all the same. But if you look over at the naval petroleum reserve, that is the area with all the lakes with the concentration of birds. It is not within the 1002 area. That is another misleading argument that is continually thrown out. The other one is that it will take as long as 10 years before ANWR oil is flowing. What they forget is the realization that we already have a good deal of the infrastructure. We have the pipeline. We only need a 70-mile line from the coastal area into the pipeline. And it is suggested once the leases are put up for sale, they will have construction activity in about 18 months. But more important is the national situation. I am going to close with a reference to that because I think it deserves more of a recognition because of the sensitivity of where we are internationally. We are importing a little over a million barrels a day from Saddam Hussein.”