Political Quotes

“I stand today to support the bill's provision releasing $200 million for the low-income home energy assistance program. Maine's hearts go out to the victims of the great natural tragedy of the earthquake in California. But there is another natural tragedy going on across this Nation, ladies and gentlemen. You do not read about it in the headlines or dominating the evening news, but it is causing real suffering, it is causing real hardship, real life-and-death emergencies in this country. It is called the bitter cold that has gripped much of this country, including my State of Maine. We have seen the lowest temperatures ever recorded in my State in the month of January. It has caused real suffering, real tragedy. In just the past few weeks, my office has learned, for example, of the young woman huddled with her young son in her bedroom because it is the only room in her house that she can heat. She is asking desperately for help. Or the young man huddled in a sleeping bag, saying that if he does not get help tonight in his apartment, he will be read about in the obituary column of tomorrow. People are literally being forced from their homes so they can get to the safety of a place that is warm. Madam Chairman, this is real suffering, ladies and gentlemen of the House, real hardship. It is a real emergency requiring an emergency response from this Congress.”