Joe Lieberman: “in responding to my friend and colleague from Alaska, it is my conclusion that the Native peoples of Alaska are of mixed…”

“in responding to my friend and colleague from Alaska, it is my conclusion that the Native peoples of Alaska are of mixed opinion on this question of drilling for oil in the Arctic refuge. We have certainly heard testimony here in the Senate from differing points of view. I hear what the Senator said about this group of Native people. Obviously, we have heard very eloquent testimony from representatives of the Gwich'in people in the area who have made a different choice and want to preserve what they have described as part of not only the beauty of the environment but part of their spiritual heritage as a source of life in that area. So I would say my judgment is that opinion is mixed, and my opinion is that, having made this choice, it would be a shame to have to do the damage that oil exploration would do to the refuge to find adequate and uplifting employment for the people to which the Senator from Alaska refers. There ought to be a better way.”