Photo by: Karla Swintz

Colorado State Senator Ken Salazar addressed the DU community during his visit Thursday at the Sturm College of Law.

The event, organized by the DU Law Democrats, drew a large audience.

Salazar’s speech was focused on three areas that he believes to be the most important issues facing America today: energy independence, health care and education.

Salazar is a member of the Select Committee on Energy.

The committee works to end the nation’s dependency on foreign oil.

One of the committee’s achievements this past year was the National Energy Policy Act of 2005.

“We will achieve energy independence only if we focus the development of conservation, renewable energy and new technologies,” said Salazar.

The need for energy independence led Salazar to discuss terrorism.

With 85 percent of the world’s oil supply located in the Middle East, it is important to build stability, he explained.

There are many threats to that stability, he continued.

Salazar highlighted Iran’s nuclear program as well as the recent rise in violence in Iraq as great threats to the interest of America.

“We cannot allow America’s future to be held hostage,” said Salazar.

Salazar then addressed health care.

“Washington hasn’t paid attention to this issue since the 1990s,” he said.

He continued that there are many options available and two that Salazar highlighted for showing the greatest potential were the plans offered by Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and John McCain (R-AZ).

The final domestic issue that Senator Salazar emphasized was education.

Salazar cautioned that the budget, currently being considered by the Senate includes large cuts in financial aid from the federal government.

“We need to make sure that we don’t take away these opportunities,” said Salazar.

During his appearance, Salazar spent most of his time answering questions from the audience.

“It was good to see him connecting with the electorate,” said one student “especially since the crowd was so young.”

Some of the first questions that were asked focused on such issues as the war in Iraq and renewable energy.

One issue that was not discussed but has received considerable media attention is the Dubai based company buying the port operating contract.

“A lot of lawmakers are angry that the Bush administration wants to hand this kind of power over to an Arab country,” said one audience member.

“I would have liked to have heard about the senator’s views on the subject,” said the participant.