Political Quotes

“first, let me just say, I want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) for yielding me the time, for his leadership and the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson) for her leadership in making sure that this is a bipartisan amendment. Opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling is not the answer to our long-term energy or security needs. The fact is, we are addicted to oil. The proponents of this bill would have you believe that the only way to cure an addict is to feed the addiction at whatever cost, regardless of the effect on the environment, on our wildlife, and on our public health. As a psychiatric social worker by profession, I can tell you this does not work. We should be working to reduce our dependency by promoting energy efficiency and energy conservation, and funding research to develop and utilize clean and renewable sources of energy. By allowing drilling in the Arctic refuge, we are spoiling a pristine natural environment, we are furthering our dependence on oil, and we are contributing to high levels of asthma, such as in my own district in west Oakland and throughout the country. Reducing dependencies on alcohol and on drugs leads to individuals leading clean and sober lives. Our country needs to reduce its dependency on oil, for a clean and sober and independent future is what our children deserve.”