On the recordNovember 20, 2013
Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking my colleague, Mr. Reed, for his leadership on the Congressional Diabetes Caucus. Thank you, that was very inspiring. Mr. Speaker, I am of the firm conviction that America's national security and America's economic security are tied directly to America's energy security. We have a wonderful opportunity today to vote on a couple of very important bills that will enhance that energy security, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on both of them. I get to represent the entire State of North Dakota. North Dakota was once described by one of our favorite sons, Eric Sevareid, the famous CBS newsman, as the rectangular blank spot in the Nation's mind. But today, everybody is talking about North Dakota. It is the fastest growing economy in the word. It has the lowest unemployment rate in the country. It has the fastest growing personal income in the country. In fact, today, Mr. Speaker, there are tens of thousands of high-paying jobs in North Dakota waiting for more people to come to the State to fill them. If you are willing to work hard and put in a full day's honest work, you can be very successful there. We have heard some speeches already this morning about the need to reduce hunger. We have heard some speeches this morning about the availability of affordable health care. I am for both of those things, and the best way to enhance availability of health care and to reduce hunger is to provide jobs.…





