Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2008

CONTACT: Leslie Shedd
(202) 225-5565

Lucas Visits with OSU Mobile Clinic, Attends Pawnee Nation College Rededication Ceremony and the Americans for Prosperity's Carbon Credit Forum

Washington, DC - Yesterday, Congressman Frank Lucas attended several events in Oklahoma’s Third Congressional District, beginning with a tour of Oklahoma State University’s mobile clinic in Pawnee. The medical team, stationed in Tulsa, drives to area towns that do not have a local hospital. Patients are then able to receive treatment directly from the staff and in addition can consult with specialists in Tulsa without having to drive hundreds of miles.

“This mobile clinic is a great asset to our community. They are able to treat patients who would usually have to drive long distances to receive treatment,� stated Lucas. “In addition, this mobile clinic would be a valuable asset in times of emergency as it holds enough supplies and fuel to sustain itself for five days. It was an honor to meet with the hard-working doctors and staff of clinic and I encourage expansion of their efforts in the future.�

Lucas also served as the keynote speaker for the rededication of the Pawnee Nation College yesterday. Also in attendance were Daniel Keating, brother of former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, who serves on the President's Board of Advisors on Tribal Colleges and Universities and Representative Rex Duncan. 

“The Pawnee Nation College has helped to improve the lives of Native Americans in the Pawnee Tribe,� stated Lucas. “It allows Native American students to receive higher education in a familiar environment while at the same time prepares students who are interested for a Bachelor’s Degree program at a four-year institution.�

To finish the day, Congressman Lucas attended a forum hosted by Americans for Prosperity, a national non-profit organization, which focused on the harmful effects limiting carbon emissions have on the American market. Currently, energy producers are given a certain number of “carbon credits� which determines how much carbon dioxide they are allowed to produce. If they would like to expand and produce more energy, they must pay a fee or purchase additional carbon credits, the cost of which will be passed along to consumers in the form of higher prices for gasoline, electricity, and other products.

“This forum was opened to the public and served as a great opportunity to exchange thoughts and ideas,� stated Lucas. “In a free market economy, such as the one in the United States, we should not be limiting energy companies who would like to expand production with unnecessary federal regulations. This is especially true right now with the abnormally high cost of fuel.�

Congressman Lucas has been a long-time supporter of increasing production of American energy. He has recently cosponsored the American Energy Act, an “all of the above� piece of energy legislation aimed at lowering gas and electric prices.

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