    The year 2000 is drawing to a close at a moment of great progress, prosperity, and peace for America. But while we have so many reasons to be thankful, good weather is not one of them.
    Terrible ice storms in the southern plains states have left more than a dozen people dead and thousands without heat and electricity. Two days ago, the President declared that an emergency exists in Arkansas and Oklahoma so that federal aid can be made immediately available to help families in those states. Now a major snowstorm is rolling into the Northeast and weather experts tell us that this November and December are shaping up to be among the coldest on record.
    All this, along with the increased demand for energy that has accompanied unparalleled  economic growth, is putting enormous pressure on the energy supplies Americans need to heat their homes and businesses.
