[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 183 (Tuesday, December 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2913]
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

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2009

  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, unfortunately earlier today I 
was unable to cast my votes on H.R. 3288, H. Con. Res. 199, H. Con. 
Res. 206, and H. Res. 940 and wish the record to reflect my intentions 
had I been able to vote.
  Last night, as you are aware, there were no votes in the House of 
Representatives due to the White House Christmas Party. I took this 
opportunity to meet with some of my young constituents at the Farmhouse 
Fraternity on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign to discuss agricultural issues and the implementation of the 
Farm Bill. Early this morning I boarded an airplane in Champaign, 
Illinois, and unfortunately due to weather, my plane was drastically 
delayed, I was unable to arrive in Washington, DC to cast my votes.
  Had I been present on rollcall #931 on the Motion to Instruct 
Conferees on H.R. 3288, Making appropriations for the Departments of 
Transportation, HUD, and related agencies for FY 2010, I would have 
voted ``aye''. This vote would have blocked any attempt by the Majority 
from using H.R. 3288 as the vehicle for an Omnibus Appropriations bill 
and require that the language for this bill be posted online for 72 
hours prior to any vote. Madam Speaker, omnibus appropriations bills 
that are hundreds of pages long and have not been fully vetted is no 
way to fund our government and I urge you to refrain from using this 
bill for those purposes.
  Had I been present on rollcall #932 on suspending the rules and 
passing H. Con. Res. 199, Recognizing the 10th Anniversary of the 
activation of Echo Company of the 100th Battalion of the 442d Infantry, 
and the sacrifice of the soldiers and families in support of the United 
States, I would have voted ``aye.''
  Had I been present on rollcall #933 on suspending the rules and 
passing H. Con. Res. 206, Commending the soldiers and civilian 
personnel stationed at Fort Gordon and their families for their service 
and dedication to the United States and recognizing the contributions 
of Fort Gordon to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring 
Freedom and its role as a pivotal communications training installation, 
I would have voted ``aye.''
  Had I been present on rollcall #934 on suspending the rules and 
passing H. Res. 940, Recognizing and honoring the National Guard on the 
occasion of its 373rd anniversary, I would have voted ``aye.''

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