Studies have indicated there is a strong correlation between the shortages of nurses and morbidity and mortality rates in our hospitals.

Nurses serve their patients in the most important capacities. We know that they serve as our first lines of communication when something goes wrong or when we are concerned about health.

This actually, in terms of posting the staffing plans, is about not having the government tell hospitals and nurses how to staff their units. It's about providing the right care, not the same care.

In reality drilling is the slowest, dirtiest, and most expensive way to solve our energy crisis.

What we need to do is really improve energy efficiency standards, develop in full scale renewable and alternative energy and use the one resource we have in abundance, our creativity.

Mr. Speaker, less than 10 percent of our Nation's children walk or ride their bicycles to school, and too many schools continue to invite fast-food vendors into their cafeterias.