[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 129 (Thursday, July 31, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2008

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I was not present for the vote 
on this resolution (H. Con. Res. 398), despite my best efforts to reach 
the House floor in time to do so.
  Had those efforts been successful, I would have voted ``no,'' because 
I think we should not adjourn or recess this week until completing 
action on legislation to revise our national energy policies--something 
that has not yet occurred.
  I left on an early flight out of Colorado this morning in an effort 
to reach the House in time for that vote. My flight landed just as the 
vote began.
  As soon as I got in the car, I called the cloakroom to advise that I 
was en route, and asked that the vote be held open until I arrived. I 
was no more than 10 minutes from the Capitol, and I was aware the vote 
was being held open already--as the first vote of the day, apparently 
in an effort to give Members additional time to arrive and cast their 
votes.
  However, the vote was completed as I entered the Capitol. I regret 
that my request that the vote be held open was not honored and that I 
was not able to cast my vote even though I was only seconds short of 
being able to do so.

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