WASHINGTON— Rep. Tony P. Hall (D-Ohio) told the House Judiciary Committee, "There is strong suspicion" among residents of the Dayton area "that the high price of gasoline is the result of poor planning, price gouging, and profiteering by the oil industry."

Related Past Releases on Gas Prices House to Hold Hearings on Rising Gas Prices [June 13, 2000] Hall Calls for Congressional Hearings on Skyrocketing Gas Prices [June 9, 2000]

Hall testified before an oversight hearing investigating the spike in gasoline prices in Ohio and the Midwest.

"The people of the Dayton area are mad and they want relief now," Hall told the panel.

"In the last few days, following weeks of bad publicity for the oil companies and threats of government investigations, Dayton area gasoline prices have suddenly dropped. While this is a welcome relief, it only increases suspicion," Hall said.

The hearing was held at the request of Hall and other House members.

Hall expressed hope that the hearing will result in recommendations for Congress and the President on ways to roll back prices and prevent future sharp price hikes.

Hall read from some of the hundreds of letters, faxes, and e-mails that he received in the last few weeks from Miami Valley residents expressing outrage over the rising gasoline prices. He told the committee about one Dayton woman who said she would have to go to an emergency food pantry to buy food if gasoline prices didn't come down.

Also testifying at the hearing were other members of Congress, governors, Federal government officials, and representatives of the oil industry.