Obama praises Gulf workers 1 year after oil spill

[April 20, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is noting the one-year anniversary of the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, paying tribute to the 11 men killed and thanking the thousands of responders who "worked tirelessly to mitigate the worst impacts" of the oil spill.

Obama says that while workers have "made significant progress, the job isn't done." He says his administration will continue to hold BP PLC, which leased the rig, and other parties "fully accountable for the damage."

The president also promises continued monitoring of Gulf seafood to ensure its safety, as well as "aggressive new reforms for offshore oil production."

Obama says his administration will "keep a watchful eye on the ... work required to ensure that the Gulf Coast recovers stronger than before."

[Associated Press]

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