WICKER & COCHRAN APPLAUD PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION
URGING BP TO WORK WITH LOCALS IN OIL SPILL RECOVERY
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today applauded the passage of a Senate resolution that encourages BP to consider local businesses for products or services related to the ongoing efforts associated with the Gulf oil spill.
Introduced by Wicker and cosponsored by Cochran, the resolution (S.Res.558) expresses the importance for BP to work with Gulf Coast communities and use local resources, goods, and services to help alleviate the economic impact caused by the oil spill.
“I am glad my colleagues in the Senate unanimously recognized the importance of this resolution,” said Wicker. “Mississippians and residents along the Gulf are facing incredible economic hardships as a result of BP’s oil spill. One way BP can help ease the economic blow is by working with the local communities and tapping into the resources and expertise that Mississippi businesses have to offer.”
“While we anticipate the permanent stoppage of oil and gas from BP’s sunken rig, we must also acknowledge that the cleanup from this disaster will take many years and many resources. I’m glad the Senate has gone on record stating its preference for BP to first employ and utilize the people, goods and services available from Gulf Coast states like Mississippi in order to rectify this terrible situation,” Cochran said.
The total economic and environmental footprint caused by the Gulf oil spill is far from being determined. Over $175 million in claims have been paid to date, and that number is expected to rise. Resources such as fishing, tourism, shipping, and energy exploration in the Gulf generally account for over $200 billion in economic activity each year.
The resolution was cosponsored by a bipartisan group of senators representing Gulf Coast states including, Senators Mary Landrieu (D-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), George LeMieux (R-Fla.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), and David Vitter (R-La.).
The following is the text of the Senate-passed resolution:
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 588
Recognizing the economic and environmental impacts of the British Petroleum oil spill on the people of the Gulf Coast and their way of life and urging British Petroleum to give all due consideration to offers of assistance, products, or services from the States directly impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 20, 2010
Mr. WICKER (for himself, Ms. LANDRIEU, Mr. COCHRAN, Mr. CORNYN, Mrs. HUTCHISON, Mr. LEMIEUX, Mr. NELSON of Florida, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. SHELBY, and Mr. VITTER) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the economic and environmental impacts of the British Petroleum oil spill on the people of the Gulf Coast and their way of life and urging British Petroleum to give all due consideration to offers of assistance, products, or services from the States directly impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Whereas on April 20, 2010, the Mobile Drilling Unit Deepwater Horizon experienced a tragic explosion, resulting in the loss of 11 men;
Whereas the explosion resulted in the sinking of the Mobile Drilling Unit Deepwater Horizon and a discharge of hydrocarbons from the Macondo well;
Whereas since the tragic day of April 20, 2010, a significant amount of oil has flowed into the Gulf of Mexico;
Whereas resources such as fishing, tourism, shipping, and energy exploration in the Gulf of Mexico generally account for over $200,000,000,000 in economic activity each year;
Whereas the release of oil has caused a Federal fishery closure since May 2, 2010, which has encompassed up to 37 percent of the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone;
Whereas the impact on the Gulf Coast economy has amounted to over $175,000,000 in reported claims to date;
Whereas tourism is down significantly on the Gulf Coast as a result of the oil spill;
Whereas the workforce in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Texas has been negatively impacted as a result of the oil spill; and
Whereas Federal disaster response procurement law recognizes a preference for local firms in the award of contracts for disaster relief activities: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) recognizes the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the way of life, economy, and natural resources of the Gulf Coast States;
(2) supports the continued public and private efforts to stop the oil spill, mitigate further damage to our treasured Gulf Coast, and clean up of this environmental disaster; and
(3) urges British Petroleum (BP) to give all due consideration to individuals, businesses, and organizations of the States directly impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill where practicable, as BP considers services or products related to ongoing efforts in the Gulf of Mexico associated with this tragic oil spill.
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