[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 150 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 22, 2008

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise to explain my reason 
for missing votes on September 11 and 15, 2008. My voting percentage is 
over 96 percent for the 110th Congress, and I rarely miss votes, but 
felt it was extremely important to be home in Houston, Texas while my 
neighbors and constituents were making preparations for Hurricane Ike 
and to help recovery efforts in the immediate aftermath. The storm made 
landfall early Saturday morning, and by the time it passed Houston 
Saturday afternoon, it had caused the largest power disruption in the 
state's history, along with tremendous flood and wind damage. There are 
still nearly two million people in the Houston area without power, and 
many without water. When I left yesterday to fly back to Washington, 
significant relief efforts by Federal, State, and local emergency 
officials were just getting underway.
  There is still a tremendous amount of work to be done, and I ask for 
everyone's thoughts and prayers as Houston and the Gulf Coast recover 
from this devastating storm.
  Had I been present to vote, I would have voted as follows:
  On rollcall vote No. 585, on Approving the Journal, I would have 
voted ``aye'';
  On rollcall vote No. 586, H. Res. 1344, on Motion to Suspend the 
Rules and Agree to the resolution expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives regarding the terrorist attacks launched against the 
United States on September 11, 2001, I would have voted ``aye'';
  On rollcall vote No. 587, H. Res. 6532, on Motion to Suspend the 
Rules and Agree to the Senate Amendment to amend the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 to restore the Highway Trust Fund balance, I would have 
voted ``aye'';
  On rollcall vote No. 588, on Motion to Adjourn, I would have voted 
``aye'';
  On rollcall vote No. 589, H. Res. 1200, on Motion to Suspend the 
Rules and Agree as amended, a resolution honoring the dedication and 
outstanding work of military support groups across the country for 
their steadfast support of the members of our Armed Forces and their 
families, I would have voted ``aye'';
  On rollcall vote No. 590, H. Con. Res. 390, on Motion to Suspend the 
Rules and Agree as amended, a resolution honoring the 28th Infantry 
Division for serving and protecting the United States, I would have 
voted ``aye'';
  On rollcall vote No. 591, H. R. 6889, on Motion to Suspend the Rules 
and Pass, a bill to extend the authority of the Secretary of Education 
to purchase guaranteed student loans for an additional year, and for 
other purposes, I would have voted ``aye'';

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