On March 1, 1979, Carter proposed a standby gasoline rationing plan at the request of Congress. On April 5, he delivered an address in which he stressed the importance of energy conservation. During an April 30 news conference, Carter said it was important that the House commerce committee approve the standby gasoline rationing plan and called on Congress to pass the several other standby energy conservation plans he had proposed. On July 15, 1979, Carter delivered a nationally televised address in which he said the crisis was a "" among the American people. The address had negative reaction from Americans. memorable for mixed reactions People criticized Carter for not doing enough to solve the crisis as they believed he was depending too much on Americans.