Rep. Damrow offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 83.   

            A resolution to memorialize Congress and the President to pursue all measures to provide relief from escalating gasoline prices, including increasing domestic oil drilling.

            Whereas, The high price of gasoline is an issue of concern to families throughout Michigan. The price of regular unleaded gasoline has increased steadily over the past six months, with a 37% increase in the price of a gallon of gasoline since the beginning of the year. Prices recently surged to over $4.00 per gallon; and

            Whereas, Current price instability, along with unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, has led to predictions that gasoline prices will continue to rise for the foreseeable future; and

            Whereas, Analyst are concerned that the higher fuel prices will slow the economic recovery, which is still on shaky ground. Reduced economic growth could reverse the recently decreasing unemployment rates. Higher gasoline prices may force consumers to choose between gasoline and groceries or rent. Yet, oil companies are realizing record profits from the inflated price of oil while still receiving tax cuts provided for under the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005; and

            Whereas, The ability to deal effectively with rising energy costs in the global marketplace, to some extent, resides with the United States President and Congress. It is imperative that our federal government utilize all tools at their discretion to provide relief to burdened consumers, including increasing domestic oil drilling; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize Congress and the President to pursue all measures to provide relief from escalating gasoline prices, including increasing domestic oil drilling; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.