Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I want to thank Chairman Rahall for yielding and including in his manager's amendment a provision I authored that would ensure that citizens living in the gulf coast region will be able to have input into the work of the Gulf Coast Restoration Task Force. The Citizens Advisory Board, called for in my amendment, would not be filled with energy industry representatives and scientists but, rather, with individuals, such as the fishermen who have been put out of business, the hotel owner along the beach which now has more tar balls than tourists, and citizens in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida who simply want to have their beaches, wetlands, waters back to support their livelihoods, their health, and their enjoyment. Restoring the environmental and natural resources in the gulf will be a long and arduous task. My amendment simply makes it clear that the input of those most impacted by this disaster, the residents of the States and the region, should be a priority.”