[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 27 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               EXPLANATION OF ABSENCE FOR OFFICIAL TRAVEL

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 17, 2011

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, as a result of the official U.S. House 
calendar indicating that last votes for today would conclude at 3 p.m. 
I committed to travel to Sana'a, Yemen at the invitation of the 
National Defense University's Near East South Asia Center for Strategic 
Studies to address a conference of senior officials of the Government 
of Yemen on the subject of establishing a national security strategy. 
The Department of Defense is paying for my travel to this official 
event. I have attached the letter of invitation for inclusion in the 
Congressional Record.
  My absence means I will not be present to vote on H.R. 1, the 
continuing resolution that will fund the federal government through 
September 30, 2011. My opposition to H.R. 1 has been very public and it 
was my intention to vote against the harmful and ill advised bill that 
hurts communities, families, and puts America's most vulnerable at even 
greater risk.
  With regard to my amendment to H.R. 1 to prohibit Department of 
Defense sponsorship of NASCAR, I would have voted in favor.

         National Defense University, Near East South Asia Center 
           for Strategic Studies,
                                 Washington, DC, January 25, 2010.
     Hon. Betty McCollum,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congresswoman McCollum: Following up on our fruitful 
     conversation the other day, I would like to invite you to 
     participate as a speaker at a Near East South Asia (NESA) 
     Center for Strategic Studies sponsored National Security 
     Seminar to be held in Sana'a, Yemen on Saturday February 19, 
     2011.
       The seminar will bring together up to 800 Yemeni officials, 
     from ministries of the Yemeni government. In addition, 
     members of the Yemeni parliament will attend and you will be 
     introduced by a senior parliamentarian. Military students 
     from the Military High Academy, a Yemeni version of our 
     National Defense University will also attend. The purpose of 
     the Seminar is to help build strategic capacity on a whole of 
     government basis within the Yemeni government.
       As we discussed, I would ask that you participate in a 
     session on bilateral Yemen-U.S. relations. This session will 
     follow remarks by U.S. Ambassador Gerald Feierstein. The 
     Yemeni Bi-Lateral speaker is Dr. Hussein Al-Amri who is a 
     former Yemeni Ambassador to the United Kingdom (1994-2001), a 
     current member of the Shura Council since 2001 and a 
     Professor of modern and contemporary history at Sana'a 
     University. You will have approximately 15 minutes for 
     remarks.
       DoD regulation permits us to offer you coach fare air 
     travel, per diem and lodging. The NESA Center contact for 
     support is my Executive Assistant, Ms. Kelly Cure at (202) 
     685-4127 or [email protected].
       Your knowledge and insights as a member of Congress and 
     your interest in Yemen will add great value to this important 
     event. I thank you for your willingness to participate.
           Sincerely,
                                      Ambassador James A. Larocco,
     Director, NESA Center.

                          ____________________