Wilson: "We need a cooperative and strategic plan to lower oil prices and decrease our dependency on foreign oil."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2008

CONTACT: Ryan Murphy
(202) 225-2452 (Office)
(202) 689-4825 (Cell)

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) submitted the following statement today during a hearing held by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs entitled "Rising Oil Prices, Declining National Security."

"Thank you, Chairman Berman, for holding this hearing on the rising price of oil and its ramifications on our national security.

"When we talk about energy independence we are more often than not talking about energy security. Our national security, for better or for worse, is tied to our energy resources. Dependence on oil from unfriendly nations threatens our strategic interests. It burdens our military which has to power a vast array of military equipment using oil. And, rising energy prices put a strain on our vital transportation sector and on American businesses which directly undermines our economic competitiveness in a growing global market place.

"This dialogue on the national security ramifications of oil dependency - in particular foreign oil dependency - is further impetus for this Congress to take proactive steps towards investing in alternative energy sources like nuclear energy, promoting conservation, and recognizing the strategic advantage we gain by investing in energy exploration here at home. I welcome that dialogue, and I look forward to the testimony from our witnesses today.

"We need a cooperative and strategic plan to lower oil prices and decrease our dependency on foreign oil. I hope today's hearing will focus on realistic immediate and long-term solutions to this important issue.

"Again, I wish to thank Chairman Berman and my fellow committee members for this opportunity."

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