Statement on the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act (H.R. 4761) View Video Congressional Record June 29, 2006 Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. I rise in opposition to the amendment and in support of the amended Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act. In America we continue to gamble our economic future through dependence on foreign sources of energy. The time to stop this is now. The most effective and sure way to secure our energy future is to utilize the fossil fuel resources we have here at home. The underlying bill will allow Virginia to choose exploration off its coast. Virginia's deep ocean production will help reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and provide a revenue source to fund the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay. Energy security depends first on a reliable supply through exploration of domestic oil and gas reserves while we encourage the development of alternative sources of energy. This bill, Mr. Chairman, and I recognize the leadership and the gentleman of California in bringing this bill forward, is a necessary part of ensuring American energy security, and I am proud to support it.