[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15605]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            VOTE EXPLANATION

  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to explain to the Senate my absence during yesterday's vote 
on S. Res. 193, expressing sympathy for the people of the United 
Kingdom.
  On Sunday, the Florida panhandle was struck by Hurricane Dennis, a 
category 3 storm. Last September, Hurricane Ivan also hit the same area 
causing extensive damage from which many had not yet fully recovered. I 
went to the area yesterday to survey the damage and meet with 
constituents affected by the disaster. I was able to visit the 
emergency operations center in three of the counties affected by 
Dennis.
  Had I been present, I would have voted aye on the resolution. Because 
I was unable to vote my strong support for the resolution, I would like 
to express my thoughts at this time. We as Americans have close ties to 
Great Britain; and, extend to the British people our deepest sympathies 
as they cope with their losses. In response to these barbaric attacks, 
the United States and the community of free nations must unite with an 
even greater resolve to defeat those who seek to destroy liberty by 
slaughtering innocent civilians.

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