Jackson Free Press

As Speaker of the House, I consider it an insult to our citizens and Legislature that a representative of BP was not present at today's first hearing held by the House Select Committee.

BP suggested that we propose alternative dates for the hearings. We have given them three dates, yet they have chosen none of them.

Considering the many officials that BP has on standby in the Gulf Coast region, it is simply incomprehensible that the company could not send at least one to these hearings to give our citizens, lawmakers and business leaders their viewpoint on this oil spill disaster.

We are not holding these hearings to conduct a witch-hunt. Rather, we want to hear BP's version of how the disaster happened, what their plans are to control the massive leak, how they intend to compensate the state and individuals for our losses and their view of the future.

Our committee has had a good response from many other groups, including one hour of testimony from Governor Haley Barbour. Surely, if the governor of the state can find the time to attend, BP should be able to send at least one representative to these hearings.We cannot and will not condone their absence at these hearings.