[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                        HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 8, 2006

  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately as the result of 
a death in the family and my need to return to Illinois by Saturday 
morning for the funeral services, I was unable to cast my votes on the 
following pieces of legislation. I request that the Record state my 
intentions on these votes had I been present to vote.
  I would have voted ``aye'' for H. Res. 1100, the rule providing for 
consideration of H.R. 6406, to modify temporarily certain rates of duty 
and make other technical amendments to the trade laws, to extend 
certain trade preference programs, and for other purposes.
  I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 5948, the Belarus Democracy 
Reauthorization Act of 2006. Passage of the Belarus Democracy 
Reauthorization Act supports Belarus as an emerging democracy with U.S. 
assistance by strengthening democratic institutions and processes 
within the country. Our country has a long history of promoting 
democracy worldwide and this bill will assist the people of Belarus 
with foreign aid and the risk of U.S. sanctions should the recent 
political upheavals and the repression of democratic groups in the 
country continue.
  I would have voted ``present'' in response to the Call of the House. 
I am sorry to have missed Speaker J. Dennis Hastert's farewell speech. 
I respect and admire him, and am proud to serve with him in the 
Illinois congressional delegation. His long tenure as the Speaker of 
the House is historic, and he will be celebrated as an esteemed 
statesman.
  I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 6406, to modify temporarily 
certain rates of duty and make other technical amendments to the trade 
laws, to extend certain trade preference programs, and for other 
purposes. This package contains trade provisions I have supported in 
the past and will continue to do so in the future. These provisions 
will help expand the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers and 
exporters within the global marketplace.
  I would have voted ``aye'' on the Conference Report on H.R. 5682, the 
Henry J. Hyde U.S.-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 
2006. India has been a longtime and important ally to the U.S. and U.S. 
assistance in the development of a civilian nuclear energy program will 
only cement the strategic partnership between our two countries. With 
the passage of the cooperation agreement with India the U.S. can be 
assured the peaceful sharing of nuclear energy technologies under 
international safeguards while preventing the spread of nuclear weapon 
information to rogue countries, such as North Korea and Iran.

  I would have voted ``aye'' on H.J. Res. 102, making further 
continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2007. While I am disappointed 
that we were not able to pass the remaining appropriations bills under 
regular order, I feel that it is important that we continue to fund our 
government program at adequate levels until we can address the 
appropriations bills in the next session of Congress.
  Finally, I would have voted ``aye'' on the following bills, 
considered under suspension of the rules:
  1. H.R. 6407--Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act
  2. H. Res. 1104--Providing for a severance payment for employees of 
leadership offices and committees of the House of Representatives who 
are separated from employment solely and directly as a result of a 
change in the party holding the majority of the membership in the House
  3. H.R. 6060--Department of State Authorities Act of 2006
  4. S. 4050--Sergeant First Class Robert Lee `Bobby' Hollar, Jr. Post 
Office Building Designation Act
  5. S. 4093--A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 to extend a suspension of limitation on the period for 
which certain borrowers are eligible for guaranteed assistance
  6. H.R. 5304--Preventing Harassment through Outbound Number 
Enforcement Act
  7. S. 3821--COMPETE Act of 2006
  8. S. 4042--A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit 
disruptions of funerals of members or former members of the Armed 
Forces
  9. H.R. 6427--To increase the amount in certain funding agreements 
relating to patents and nonprofit organizations to be used for 
scientific research, development, and education, and for other purposes
  10. H.R. 6428--To authorize the Secretary of the Army to carry out 
certain elements of the project for hurricane and storm damage 
reduction, Morganza to the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana
  11. S. 2735--Dam Safety Act of 2006
  12. S. Con. Res. 123--A concurrent resolution providing for 
correction to the enrollment of the bill H.R. 5946
  13. H.R. 5946--Stevens-Inouye International Fisheries Monitoring and 
Compliance Legacy Act of 2006
  14. H.R. 4075--Marine Mammal Protection Act Amendments of 2006

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