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.

And as a nurse, I know very well the importance, for example, of electronic medical records.

Drilling in the refuge will not solve America's energy problem. The Energy Department's own figures show that drilling would not change gas prices by more than a penny a gallon, and this would be 20 years from now.

Unfortunately, we are still in an age where individuals may be discriminated against because of health conditions.

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

I will continue to work in Washington to oppose any efforts to expand drilling off our Coasts and to challenge my colleagues to adopt responsible energy policies.