Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. I rise to offer this motion to recommit to ensure, first, that one of our Nation's most important natural resources, our Great Lakes basin, is protected from untenable energy exploitation risk; and, second, that as we explore additional ways to boost domestic energy production, we do so with an appropriate emphasis on creating jobs here in America. Our Great Lakes are truly unique. Within these lakes sit 95 percent of the United States' surface water and 20 percent of the world's surface water. Straddling the United States and Canada, the Great Lakes--Superior, Michigan, Huron, Ontario and Erie--have more than 10,000 miles of coastline, touching eight States: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York. Not only a critical source of drinking water, the lakes are integral to the country for transportation, power generation, and recreational opportunity. Over 30 million Americans in cities, towns, and rural communities depend on the Great Lakes for their lives and livelihoods. In fact, according to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan, taken as a whole, the Great Lakes region economy would be the second largest economy in the world, second only to that of the United States.…”