Protecting Investment in Oil Shale the Next Generation of Environmental, Energy, and Resource Security Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

With the national unemployment rate hovering around 8 percent--in my home State of Florida, its rate is close to 10 percent--there is no question that our Nation is hurting for economic growth. This year, the focus of efforts here in the House of Representatives has centered on creating a framework for the private sector to innovate and grow, to create the jobs we desperately need. To that end, Mr. Chairman, my amendment seeks to take all prudent steps to ensure that jobs and the economy are the focus.

My amendment simply requires the Secretary to conduct an economic impact survey to assess any effect lease sales would have on the Florida tourism and fishing industries.

People from all over the world flock to the gulf coast of Florida specifically to visit our spectacular beaches, our parks, our waterways, and other recreational opportunities. More than 80 million tourists, Mr. Chairman, per year stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, and create many economic opportunities for Floridians.

The tourism industry is a multibillion-dollar industry for Florida and the national economy, Mr. Chairman. Florida's seafood and recreational fishing industries also contribute thousands of jobs and billions of dollars to the local economy.

Mr. Chairman, I strongly urge this House to adopt a commonsense measure to ensure that the Federal Government consider all ramifications of lease sales, and to ensure that the promotion of jobs and the economy remain the focus of any actions of our Federal Government.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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