[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 18, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S5602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                            VOTE EXPLANATION

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I regret that I was unable to vote 
yesterday afternoon on the very significant amendment offered by my 
colleague from Texas. As my colleagues know, yesterday marked the 50th 
anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision Brown v. Topeka 
Board of Education. We in Kansas were very pleased that President Bush 
and Education Secretary Paige joined with us in Topeka to commemorate 
this important date. While I intended to arrive here in time for the 
vote following the special events of this day in Kansas, the plane I 
was riding was, unfortunately, delayed.
  Truly, providing for the health needs of our military's cadets and 
midshipmen when they are placed in harm's way is a duty of this Nation. 
I am grateful to the Senator from Texas for raising this issue, and I 
am pleased that the Senate adopted this amendment to S. 2400, the 
fiscal year 2005 Department of Defense Authorization bill. Mr. 
President, I ask that the record reflect that, had I been here, I would 
have voted in favor of Senator Hutchison's amendment No. 3152 yesterday 
afternoon.

                          ____________________