[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 144 (Thursday, November 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD W. POMBO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 2, 2005

  Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to make votes today on the House 
floor because of an untimely and unexpected crisis requiring me to 
travel back home to be with my family in California. Unfortunately, I 
missed recorded votes and would like my intentions included in the 
Congressional Record.
  Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on H.R. 1606--Online 
Freedom of Speech Act.
  I would have also voted ``yea'' on H.R. 4061--Department of Veterans 
Affairs Information Technology Management Improvement Act of 2005. This 
important bill will help improve Veterans' health services by improving 
the technology resources of the Veterans' Affairs Department.
  The VA has spent about $1 billion per year for the last decade to 
improve its information technology systems. This new bill will provide 
some key oversight to ensure that this money is spent in the most 
efficient way possible, and to reorganize the VA's information 
technology to best serve the healthcare needs of the Nation's Veterans.
  While there has been recent improvement in the VA's technology 
systems, there is a lot they can do to provide better healthcare to 
Veterans. I am proud to support this effort to better the lives of the 
men and women who have given so much for this country.
  Had I been present, I would have also voted ``yea'' on H.R. 1691--
John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic 
Designation Act.

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