Mr. Speaker, high natural gas prices and the summer spike in

When Judy Biggert declared before the House, “Mr. Speaker, high natural gas prices and the summer spike in gasoline prices serve as a stark reminder that the path to energy independence is a long and arduous one,” she spoke as one who understood both the urgency of the present and the weight of the future. Her words were not merely the lament of a lawmaker over fluctuating prices — they were the voice of a prophetess speaking to a generation too easily lulled by comfort. In that single sentence lies a truth that stretches far beyond the politics of her day: that independence, whether of a nation or a soul, is never born in ease but forged through endurance.

The origin of this quote reaches back to the early twenty-first century, when America found itself chained to the whims of global energy markets. Wars were fought, economies shaken, and households burdened under the rising cost of oil and gas. Representative Judy Biggert, known for her pragmatic voice in the U.S. Congress, spoke these words during debates on national energy policy, urging both wisdom and patience. She recognized that the quest for energy independence — the ability of a nation to sustain its people without bowing to foreign suppliers — was not a dream to be achieved swiftly, but a discipline that demanded foresight, sacrifice, and unity.

Throughout history, nations have learned this lesson in different forms. The ancient Greeks relied on their olive groves and grain trade, yet when famine struck, they turned outward, colonizing lands and mastering the sea. Their independence was not inherited; it was earned through adaptation and perseverance. So too did Biggert warn that energy independence could not be achieved by rhetoric or wishful thinking. It would require innovation, courage, and the humility to face the trials that come with transformation. For every great achievement — whether the building of a temple or the rebirth of a nation — is preceded by struggle and by the willingness to look beyond one’s immediate hunger toward the greater sustenance of the generations to come.

Her words carry the rhythm of wisdom: “a long and arduous one.” In those few words lies the entire philosophy of perseverance. The ancients knew that any path worth walking would test the heart. To wrest energy from the sun, the wind, and the earth without destroying the planet that bears us — this is not merely an act of engineering, but of moral awakening. It demands patience from leaders, responsibility from citizens, and faith in the unseen harvest that only time can bring. The spike in prices that Biggert spoke of was not just an economic burden; it was a reminder from nature and circumstance that humanity’s dependence on finite resources carries a heavy toll.

Let us remember the story of Japan after the oil crises of the 1970s. When the flow of foreign oil was disrupted, Japan, a nation poor in natural resources, turned inward — not with despair, but with ingenuity. It invested in efficiency, innovation, and technology, transforming scarcity into strength. Within decades, Japan became a world leader in energy-efficient manufacturing and transportation. In their challenge, they found purpose. Biggert’s words echo that same lesson: hardship is the forge in which independence is purified.

Yet her message also carries a gentle warning. The pursuit of independence must not be driven by greed or fear alone, but by wisdom and stewardship. To seek energy independence while neglecting the health of the earth is to win the battle and lose the war. The ancients taught that the earth is both mother and mirror: when she suffers, her children will feel the same pain. True independence, Biggert implies, comes not from conquering the earth’s resources, but from mastering our own appetites.

So, my children of the modern world, take this teaching to heart. The road to independence — of nation, of body, or of spirit — is long, but the journey itself is sacred. Do not despair when progress is slow or the costs seem high, for every generation must climb its own mountain toward freedom. Build wisely, innovate fearlessly, and walk with reverence upon the earth that sustains you. Remember the words of Judy Biggert, and let them be your compass: the path may be long and arduous, but each step taken in patience, courage, and wisdom brings you closer to the light of true independence — a freedom not given, but earned through perseverance and vision.