GOP hands out speaking awards

WASHINGTON, July 16 (UPI) -- Seven Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have received commemorative oil cans for expending the most CO2 on the subject of energy.

The oil cans are the latest in a series of awards handed out by the House GOP caucus to encourage members to take to the floor and express their views, Politico, a Washington publication, reported Wednesday.

"I've never won an oil can before," said Rep. Lynn A. Westmoreland, R-Ga., "We'll continue to work hard and maybe one day win a barrel."

"My parents will be very proud," Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., who also received an award, said to Politico.

Other winners were Rep. Tom Price of Georgia, Rep. Dan Burton of Indiana, Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, Rep. Bob Latta of Ohio and Rep. John E. Peterson of Pennsylvania.

A spokesman for Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., who runs the Democratic floor operation, told Politico his party doesn't have to hand out awards to get members to speak.

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