"Urging the United States Congress to pass legislation to open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, to oil and gas exploration, development, and production."

Expanding Alaska's resource-based industries remains imperative if we wish to increase the State's economic base. Although other sectors of the economy may provide jobs, they more than likely would not be able to support the financial infrastructure of state government to the extent that natural resource development does, especially the oil and gas industry.

Most reliable indicators show Alaska's North Slope oil is in decline. Geologists have said that one of the best prospects for new discoveries lies within the 1002 section of the Arctic National Refuge, which has been set aside by Congress for potential exploration and development. It seems that a prudent course of action would be to open this area of the Arctic Coastal Plain so that Alaskans may reap the economic benefits therein.

The idea behind House Joint Resolution 6 is not new. An ANWR Resolution has been introduced on numerous occasions in the past and has always enjoyed overwhelming support of the Governor and Legislature as well as the general public. Alaska's chances of moving ahead on this vital project have been greatly increased now that George W. Bush is President. We need to take advantage of this opportunity and once again send our message to the nation's Capitol.

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