[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2708]
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

                      Wednesday, November 4, 2009

  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, unfortunately Monday night, 
November 2, 2009, and the morning of November 3, 2009 I was unable to 
cast my votes on H.R. 1168, H. Res. 291, S. 509, H.R. 3949, H. Res. 
398, and H. Res. 866 due to a scheduled town hall meeting in Cerro 
Gordo, Illinois.
  Had I been present for Rollcall No. 832, on suspending the Rules and 
passing H.R. 1168, the Veterans Retraining Act of 2009, I would have 
voted ``aye.''
  Had I been present for Rollcall No. 833, on suspending the Rules and 
passing H. Res. 291, Recognizing the crucial role of assistance dogs in 
helping wounded veterans live more independent lives, expressing 
gratitude to The Tower of Hope, and supporting the goals and ideals of 
creating a Tower of Hope Day, I would have voted ``aye.''
  Had I been present for Rollcall No. 834, on suspending the Rules and 
passing S. 509, to authorize a major medical facility project at the 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Walla Walla, Washington, 
and for other purposes, I would have voted ``aye.''
  Had I been present for Rollcall No. 835, on suspending the Rules and 
passing H.R. 3949, Veterans' Small Business Assistance and 
Servicemembers Protection Act of 2009, I would have voted ``aye.''
  Had I been present for Rollcall No. 836, on suspending the Rules and 
passing H. Res. 398, Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Berlin 
Airlift's success, I would have voted ``aye.''
  Had I been present for Rollcall No. 837, on suspending the Rules and 
passing H. Res. 866, Expressing support for designation of a National 
Veterans History Project Week to encourage public participation in a 
nationwide project that collects and preserves the stories of the men 
and women who served our Nation in times of war and conflict, I would 
have voted ``aye.''
  It is my fervent hope that my absence in no way be interpreted as a 
lack of support and enthusiasm for these important issues and 
undertakings. Congress' schedule in recent days has been subject to 
sometimes unpredictable additions and subtractions of days. As the 
original schedule had established an adjournment date of Oct. 30, 2009, 
I felt safe in scheduling a town hall meeting the evening of Monday, 
Nov. 2, for the purpose of meeting with and hearing from my 
constituents--the voters and citizens who are critical in guiding my 
votes and my conscience on the important issues we all face.

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