Senator McConnell participated in the Park Hills Memorial Day Parade. Following the parade Senator McConnell participated in a flag raising and memorial service.

I was in Bell County in southeast Kentucky last weekend and without exception the top concern of every old friend I ran into was the question of why Congress can't seem to do something about rising energy prices.

That frustration makes perfect sense and after a Memorial Day weekend spent visiting loved ones and paying more for gas than ever before Kentuckians are demanding action.

I couldn't agree more.

It's high time Congress does something about energy prices. And running to the Middle East begging for more $135 a barrel oil won't solve our problems in the short or long term.

That's why I offered S.2958, the American Energy Production Act. The bill would increase domestic exploration for oil, encourage the development alternative energy sources, and create good jobs here in America -- all while lowering energy costs.

I encourage you to take a moment right now and sign the petition supporting this effort at: www.teammitch.com/energy

Unfortunately the last time I introduced this bill, partisanship reared its ugly head and only one Democrat voted for it.

That's a real shame when you consider gas prices have gone up 69% since Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid took over the Congress. You'd think they'd want to leave a better legacy than that.

Help me send a message to them demanding they support common sense solutions to our energy challenges by visiting: www.teammitch.com/energy and signing the special petition we have set up for you.

Senator Mitch McConnell was the Grand Marshall for the 2008 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival parade.