The Gulf…
I spent the latter half of last week participating in the 2011 Offshore Energy Tour hosted by Congressman Steve Scalise (LA-1). As vice chair of the Energy and Water Subcommittee on Appropriations, this tour was an incredible look inside our country’s domestic energy capabilities.
Touring the Chevron oil platform—more than one hundred miles off of the Louisiana shoreline—gave me a unique perspective. In light of last year’s BP oil spill, several questions were raised regarding the safety and environmental hazards of deep water drilling; however, after spending time with the crew and touring the site, I am nothing but confident in the way the process is handled.
With gas prices hovering around $4 nationwide, it makes no sense to steer away from our natural resources. American families are literally changing the way they live their lives because of high gas prices. What’s more, the cost of fuel is hindering job creation in an economic climate where the national unemployment rate continues to linger around nine percent. Plain and simple, we can’t afford it.
I’ve said it before, what we need is a common sense approach to solving our nation’s energy challenges. I strongly believe that by tapping into local energy here in the U.S.—which we have plenty of—the American people will not only see relief at the pump but a jolt to the economy as well.
For more onfo on HEAT, click HERE.
NWA Honor Flight…
As a retired army colonel, I hold a special place in my heart for veterans. There’s no better barometer for a country than the brave men and women who have risked their lives to defend its freedom.
On Saturday, I had the privilege of spending the day with a group of these accomplished veterans from Northwest Arkansas who participated in the NWA Honor Flight. It was an honor to shake the hands of soldiers who played such a vital role in making our country what it is today.
During their time here, we made several stops including the World War II and Iwo Jima memorials, the Korean War memorial, the Vietnam memorial, and the Air Force memorial.
For some of these heroes, it was the first time they had seen the monuments paying homage to their sacrifice and selfless dedication to our country and its future. It was humbling to see bittersweet tears fill the eyes of the soldiers who secured the very freedoms we enjoy today. We owe a great deal to these warriors. They gave up ordinary lives to do extraordinary things.
These are faces are freedom.
Check It Out...
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Facebook page, please do so. It’s a great way to keep up with what I’m doing at home and in Washington. Make sure to click the “like” button so you’ll get updates on your news feed.
For those of you don’t have a Facebook account but would like one, it’s easy to sign up. Click HERE to do just that.
My offices are here for you and I want to help you however I can and sometimes social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are both great and quick ways to get messages to the masses. Check them out
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and we’ll talk again next week.
From The Front...
U.S. Congressman
Steve Womack
Serving the Third District of Arkansas
