[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 6] [House] [Pages 8503-8506] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]THE OIL SPILL HAS NOT REACHED FLORIDA'S COAST The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Driehaus). Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 6, 2009, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek) is recognized for half the remaining time until midnight. Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it's an honor to come before the House, and as you know, I am no stranger to the floor when it comes down to addressing the House about issues that are not only facing the State of Florida but also facing the country. You know that we have had a number of incidents that have taken place in the gulf in recent years, Hurricane Katrina and other storms like it, and now we have a threat to not only our environment but also the economy of the Gulf States. Tonight I have come to address some of the issues that are facing the State of Florida right now. Everyone knows of the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. They also understand what they see on the news every night of not only environmentalists but also scientists and responders to the incident and what they're doing. America is being educated on what's going on. Our water is deep. It's 5,000 feet. I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, I just recently left the gulf coast area. I had an opportunity in my own State to be in Tampa and then moving on up to Panama City and the cities in between Panama City and Pensacola. I had the opportunity to meet with some good Floridians, and I picked up some firsthand ideas on what we can do to be able to stabilize not only the economy but also do away with some of the rumors that are out there that are affecting the overall economic outlook for that particular area. I also, after leaving Pensacola, went to the command center there in Mobile, Alabama, and had an opportunity to meet with some of the coordinators that are there on behalf of the Coast Guard, also coordinators for the State of Florida, coordinators also for the recovery effort as it relates to oil companies. I just want to say from the outset, Mr. Speaker, that those that are responsible for this spill, need it be BP or Halliburton or the number of other companies that have been named, I guarantee you this, that response will not go without them paying. And I think it's very, very important that everyone on this House floor understands that many people have been affected due to the lack of regulation, need it be from the regulatory agency not doing what they should do. And I know that this Congress will find out more about [[Page 8504]] what did happen and did not happen and the mismanagement that took place, but also as it relates to BP, Halliburton, and others' responsibility of what they were supposed to do to make sure that this did not happen. Because they were irresponsible--we have individuals that work paycheck by paycheck. Some individuals work cash jobs. Some families have been fishing there in the gulf for a very long time, and they have been affected. I've talked to fishermen in Panama City, and I have also talk to fishermen in Pensacola and those that are concerned about the perception that's out there. We do not have oil on the beaches in Florida; we don't have oil within the Florida waters in Florida. But somehow, someway, the perception has been that there's oil on the beach, and I can tell you that it's affected the economy of those communities. I just want to share with the Members that it's very important that we not only get out accurate information but we use every tool we can. And meeting with those fishermen in Panama City where their boats were there in the slips, they're usually out on the water catching fish, but people have canceled their reservations because they feel that the water is unsafe to fish in. That is not the case. Those are some of the things that I'm going to talk about here today. These communities are already hit. And I want to make sure that Americans understand that they can come to Florida and they can vacation there and they should not cancel their reservations, because it will be affecting the economy not only in Florida but for individuals that work hard every day, that were already on their knees as it relates to an economic slowdown that we're experiencing right now. Now we see fishermen who were saying that they had their books filled all through the snapper season to only find that many individuals are canceling, and corporations that had planned retreats down in the panhandle area from Apalachicola right on up to Escambia County decided to cancel their reservations. So maybe we can do away with some of the myths that are out there. This is not just about the fishermen. It's about the hotel industry. It's about the tourism industry in Florida that holds our economy as being the number one spot in creating jobs. I have some charts here, Mr. Speaker, and it talks about the $65 billion that tourism generates in the State of Florida. And I can tell you, just recreational saltwater fishing impacts Florida's economy $5 billion, over 50,000 jobs, and I think it's very, very important that everyone understands the economy in Florida is already some 11.3 and above as it relates to unemployment. Some of the communities that are involved--and I will talk about the unemployment rates that are there as we move along, and people who feel sorry for those individuals that are impacted, I can tell you, you can do something about it. You can go down to that area and enjoy yourself. I think it's important. Come down to Florida. I also want to also just share a few other statistical data that I have here. ``Boating impacts Florida's economy with over $18 billion and over 220,000 jobs.'' ``Florida averages over 35 million fishing trips per year,'' and, unfortunately, that industry is hurting, as I described earlier. I think that a number of folks need to understand that many of these fishing families that are along that coastline, I think they're too small to fail. We talk about ``too big to fail'' when we look at the financial industry. These individuals are the reason why hotel rooms are filled there and the reason why the restaurants have individuals that are walking in and out of them and the reason why people come to that neck of the woods. And I think it's important that everyone understands what we're facing here. This is some statistical data that I have already mentioned here, but I think it's important that everyone understands that in Florida we're trying to do everything we can. I met with a hotel owner that said that she has over 40 rooms but only seven reservations. She has a staff that's over 35 individuals, but I know that she's going to have to lay some folks off. That's not because of any act against our country, but there is an environmental perception that the beaches in Panama City have oil on them and that folks can't come down and enjoy themselves. When I met with them, I said, Listen, I've already filed legislation with Senator Bill Nelson over in the Senate to call for a moratorium until we figure out how we can make these rigs safe and to make sure that there's a moratorium on expansion of offshore oil drilling off the coast of Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico. That's already filed. Legislation is already filed. Rush Holt, the Congressman here, in a companion bill over in the Senate, moving the liability cap up to make sure that these oil companies do not get off the hook for the kind of misery that they have put on these individuals who just wanted to work every day. {time} 2210 I shared with them what the SBA is providing for small businesses. But I can tell you in the final analysis, Mr. Speaker, they said, Kendrick, if you can go back to Congress and let folks know that they can come down here, we are open for business and that we are ready to receive them, that will help us more than everything that you just mentioned. Everything you just mentioned will be for the future, but for right now, they have mortgages to meet. They can't take a second on their home because they have already taken that second mortgage on their home. They don't have the money to be able to continue to make that payment for the slip that they have at the marina. They have bills that they have to meet. And I can tell you, ladies and gentlemen, it is important. As a Member of Congress, that is the least I can do, to come to the floor tonight and stand up on behalf of the individuals who need someone to stand up on their behalf. These are some of the guys I met with there in Panama City. As a fisherman myself, I get excited just looking at this picture. I am looking at some king mackerel and grouper and redfish, and I even see a parrot fish. These are the fishermen that are out there. These are some of the guys that I met with that are ready to go to work, but people are canceling on them and saying there is oil in the water. There is not oil in the water. These pictures were just taken last week. This was not taken 6 months ago. They wanted to take this picture to let people know that they can come down and fish, ready, set, go, and clean. Stay a couple of days and enjoy yourself. It is a seasonal community along this gulf coast area, especially along the panhandle of Florida. They only have 100 to 120 days. They have the most fluctuating economy in the State of Florida because it is seasonal, and I think it is very, very important that we support these individuals. These individuals are affected because of the lack of responsibility of those who are responsible for oil that is gushing out on the bottom of the gulf right now. I think it is important when we look at leadership that we understand that the economy is going to be affected time after time again when individuals are irresponsible. One, by not standing up as leaders when they are supposed to stand up as leaders and to be consistent and, two, turning their back and not paying attention to the details. I will go back to that, but I think it is important. I am going to bring the fishing picture back up again and I like it. Visitflorida.com is a Web site that you can go to. I think it is important that you understand you can go to this Web site, get accurate information, and on the Web site you have key points, key areas you can click on, and it lets you know Twitter updates on what is going on on that particular beach in that part of Florida. I think it is important that you understand that coming to Florida for many individuals who are hit by hard times, you don't have the opportunity to get on a plane and fly overseas. It is cheaper to come down. Here is where the rubber meets the road. I am going to spend a little time [[Page 8505]] on this map because I think it is important. When we look at our economy, it is not only the Florida economy, it is the U.S. economy. This is Deepwater Horizon's project right there. This is where the incident took place. This map was updated by NOAA as of 6 p.m. today. I think it is important that you understand this red line is the red line of the area that is shut off. This has very little to do with the area I am talking about, from Apalachicola over to Pensacola, you can see this little black line here, the Florida waters that Florida has jurisdiction over, where there is a proposal to call a special session to put in the State Constitution calling for no oil drilling around the State of Florida as it relates to our Constitution. That would be a good move because what is happening right now, our economy is being affected and will be affected. We will not have the resources that we need to deal with schools and health care, a number of other issues that the State has to take responsibility for. I am filing bills and giving voice to those individuals that I met with that said Listen, if you can do everything you can to help us, it would help us be able to bounce back. This area right here is the area that was shut down as of 6 p.m. today. This is only 19 percent of the gulf, and this is very, very deep water. The only kind of fishing going on out there is tuna fishing. The fish that you saw and the chart before that are caught in this area, where these boats are going out right here. So it has nothing to do with this. And believe me, the Department of Health will let you know these areas are shut down, and they are not open for fishing. I know there was some rumor--it wasn't rumor, it was fact; some tar balls were found by the Florida Keys. Those are being analyzed. Being a Florida guy, I can tell you, you get a little tar every now and then. It may not be from the Deepwater Horizon project, who knows. But we don't want hysteria going throughout saying there is oil down in the Keys now. We don't know that as a fact. I think it is very important that we understand that. I can tell you one thing: As much as I fought against offshore oil drilling in the State of Florida, around the State of Florida, I can tell you I am just as concerned as some, but it is not for alarm; that beach is still open. This little chart here is just in case people don't want to take my word for it. You can go on to Grandpanamabeachrentals.com. This is a Web cam just to let you know that the beach is open--ready, set, go for visitors. I think that is something that is very, very important that people need to understand. Now to get to the bread and butter here, Mr. Speaker. I think it is important. You've been hearing a lot about how we are trying to shut this oil down, how the Coast Guard is a part of that, the EPA, BP, and a number of other agencies. But I can tell you where the rubber meets the road. This Apalachicola area all of the way to Escambia County, you have the counties that are already affected by unemployment. Wakulla County is 7.2 percent unemployment. Gadsden County also has individuals living up in this area, the panhandle we call northwest Florida, that are affected by 9.6 percent unemployment. Liberty County has 5.3 percent unemployment; Franklin County, 7.1 percent unemployment; Gulf County, 9.8 percent unemployment; Calhoun County, 8.2 percent unemployment; Jackson County has 7.2 percent unemployment. Bay County has 8.9 percent unemployment; and Washington County, also up here in the panhandle area, has 9.6 percent unemployment. Holmes County, 7.2 percent unemployment; Walton County, 6.8 percent unemployment; Okaloosa County, 7.2 percent unemployment; Santa Rosa County, 9.4 percent unemployment; and Pensacola has 9.8 percent unemployment. I say all of that, ladies and gentlemen, because if we don't kill this whole issue that we have oil on the beaches of Florida, those unemployment numbers that I just mentioned are going to get higher. That is not fiction; that is fact. I think it is important that we understand that even though BP and Halliburton and all of these other companies that took advantage of what they were supposed to do and put these individuals in a financial situation that they are not even going to be able to provide for their families, I want those families to know that we are going to do everything we can, at least I am as a Member of Congress, to make sure that these individuals pay. That is not going to put any food on the table, not right now, but I tell you one thing: That if we don't do our part, as individuals not living in the area that I just mentioned, to make sure that we do everything that we can to support those Floridians and also those Americans, then shame on us. We need to be able to stand up for them. I think it is also important to understand, we talk about this issue of offshore oil drilling. It is okay to be against it now that you have oil in the gulf. I understand Louisiana and New Orleans, there is a judge that is handling all of the court orders that are coming through. BP is trying to move that hearing to Houston. I wonder why. I guess for a more favorable kind of judge or environment so they can have that as the home base so they can be able to have influence over the jury pool or what have you. {time} 2220 We need to pay very close attention to what's happening. People are scared. People are concerned. Some people may be looking at it as a vacation situation. We have folks that I just mentioned trying to give some representation here tonight that are directly affected. They have children too. They have mortgages too. They have car notes too and boat notes too. And they have to make ends meet. Exxon Valdez is the only thing that we can really point to to see the outcome measures of what happened to a community when there was an oil spill. Now, I commend those workers that are out there trying to rally up and round up this oil off the top of the water. I commend them for their work. I went by their command center. There are a lot of great Americans that are working to try to save communities. The two Coast Guard individuals that I was with, the two captains, they both live in Santa Rosa County. They said, Kendrick, I have a vested interest in making sure that this oil doesn't hit the beach. And they're out there working some 20-hour days, making sure that they're able to skim and burn and pick up this oil. But they can't get it all. And it's not on the beaches of Florida, and I think it's very important that everyone understands that. And there are people that are working. But I'll be doggone if we allow these oil executives to come to Congress with $1,200 suits on and say they're not going to answer questions, and folks back home are suffering. I think it's important that everyone understands that this is serious business. The clean-up of this Horizons project is going to take years, not months but years. And I think it's important that everyone understands, when we look at national security and we talk about green initiatives, that folks don't feel that it's some sort of liberal tree- hugging experience. China's doing it. India's doing it. Why do we have to be third or fourth as a country when we look at alternative fuel sources? We talk about solar power. Folks think that's weak. I look at it as putting folks to work, maybe diversifying opportunities for these people that I've identified for those who have been fishing for generations and generations. Maybe they can have some other opportunities. Biomass. I speak as a Congressman that has promoted biomass as it relates to our agricultural opportunities that we have and reusing sugar cane and reusing some of our crops as it relates to orange peels and others to turn them into energy, to put power back into the grid. And to talk about solar power constantly, as coming from the Sunshine State, I talk about solar power because I see opportunities in it. I see homeowners being able to have the opportunity to save on their electric bill. [[Page 8506]] But it's all about the transition. So if we continue to depend on fossil fuel, especially when it comes down to affecting the economy of so many Gulf State communities, communities along the Gulf States that are affected by this; and the dollars that are being deployed right now is something that we can prevent in the future. So, Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to do my part here tonight. I wanted to make sure those individuals in this picture here, that I didn't let them down. I told them that I would bring voice to their issue as it relates to, which is my issue too, as it relates to the fact that people are canceling on these guys, and gals I must add. And I just really want to thank Pamela Anderson for supplying this picture also at Anderson Marina. And they want to go to work, and we need to give them an opportunity to go to work. But as we look at this issue, Mr. Speaker, it's important that as this Congress moves with the investigation and the legislation that I'm a prime sponsor of and cosponsor of, that's not enough. It's making sure that we're able to look at this situation as though it is a natural disaster, and the Federal response should treat it as though it is. So we need to make sure that these individuals do not fail, because if we didn't let the banks fail, we should not let these individuals that work every day, pay taxes, and many of whom are veterans in this country, and they're Democrats and they're Republicans and Independent. I can tell you one thing about this oil spill. I don't care what your party affiliation is. The bottom line is the bottom line. And when 50 percent of your business is walk-ups, and that shuts down to 1 or 2 percent, and you have a boat that usually you're taking six people out on and now you're only taking one, and the other person happens to be your cousin, something is really wrong with that; and it's going to affect these families. So I hope that as we move on, not only with the investigation, because we're an investigative body, but as we look at the effects that this oil spill has brought about, I think that we have to take into account what we're going through right now. My heart goes out to my brethren in Alabama. My heart goes out to those that are in Mississippi. My heart goes out to Louisiana. I think it's very important that folks understand that this issue is just not a gulf issue. It's a United States issue, and it's a perfect example of why we need to move forward as it relates to alternative fuel and energy in our country so that we don't have to find ourselves in a situation where individuals are affected by some mishap that took place because individuals were irresponsible and brought about pain and suffering for these individuals that are trying to work and put food on the table for their families. With that, Mr. Speaker, it was an honor to come to the floor. I want to let the membership know that many Members of the Florida delegation wanted to be here this evening; but due to the hour, they were not able to be here. The Florida delegation will be meeting tomorrow. When I say the Florida delegation, I'm saying the Members of the House and the Senate will come together to talk about this issue of Florida and its deep water Horizons oil spill. This directly affects our economy because our economy is all about tourism. I hope in that Florida delegation meeting that there is a continued bipartisan spirit to not only help Florida bounce back, but also, as we move forward, as we look at energy, as policymakers, that we remember this moment, that we remember that all of Florida is going to be affected by the perception that there's oil in the water. And so it doesn't matter if you represent the west coast or you represent southern Florida or you represent the east coast of Florida or you're in the middle of Florida, every last one of those Members, the 27 members of the delegation, with two Senators, I think it's very, very important, including two Senators, I think it's very, very important that we remember this moment, remember the Floridians that are being affected, and the fact that our economy already, we're on our knees, and we're getting ready to get hit in the back of the head again if we don't cap this oil from coming out from the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, and we don't remember this moment as we move forward as it relates to our national energy policy. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. ____________________