Frank Lautenberg: “first let me say to my friend and colleague from New Jersey how much I admire his commitment to our State and to the…”

“first let me say to my friend and colleague from New Jersey how much I admire his commitment to our State and to the things that protect our environment and our well-being. I am very proud of Senator Corzine. I have mixed feelings about whether I want him to win the race in New Jersey because it is nice to have a hometown boy around. I join Senator Corzine in this attempt to protect our State from being affected by drilling for oil off our shore line. When I was a boy, I had occasion to spend time at the New Jersey shore. It was, for me, a matter of almost paradisiacal value to be able to get to that shore and never think about whether we were going to step on plastics, needles, oil spills, or anything like that. It was so much a part of our culture that to change it in any way that we do not have to is an act of poor judgment. The top of the list, as far as we are concerned, is the New Jersey shore. We call it ``the shore.'' In the summertime, few things are better than a day at the beach, watching your children or your grandchildren play in the surf or go out on a fishing boat or learn something about marine life. We have seen times when a spill occurs how it spoils an entire area. We are at a time now where in desperation we are searching for ways to make up for our profligate use of oil.…”