[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22534]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2005

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, had I been present for the following 
vote on Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, September 28, 2005, I 
would have voted as follows:
  Rollcall vote 501: I would have voted ``aye'' on the Department of 
Justice Authorization Act, H.R. 3402. Despite passage of the Manager's 
amendment, this bill does ensure that programs which help prevent 
violence and assist survivors are continued. I also support provisions 
in this bill that help local communities with additional resources to 
provide better support and security to victims of domestic violence.
  Rollcall vote 500: I would have voted ``aye'' on the Democratic 
Motion to Recommit, offered by Representative Stupak, which would have 
given the Justice Department authority to prosecute oil companies 
engaged in price gouging.
  Rollcall vote 499: I would have voted ``nay'' on the Managers 
Amendment offered by Representative Sensenbrenner. The amendment 
significantly weakens the bill's emphasis on domestic violence grant 
funding for communities of color. Racial and ethnic minorities already 
face complex issues in reporting and accessing assistance for domestic 
violence; we cannot shortchange this population.
  Rollcall vote 498: I would have voted ``nay'' on the Rule for 
consideration of H.R. 3402, because it did not allow for consideration 
of many important Democratic and bipartisan amendments.
  Rollcall vote 497: I would have voted ``aye'' on the Motion to 
Instruct Conferees on H.R. 2360, offered by Representative Sabo, which 
would have prevented the reorganization of the Department of Homeland 
Security from further weakening federal emergency preparedness 
capability.
  Rollcall vote 496: I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Con. Res. 209, 
supporting the goals and ideals of Domestic Violence Awareness Month 
and expressing the sense of Congress that Congress should raise 
awareness of domestic violence in the United States and its devastating 
effects on families.
  Rollcall vote 495: I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 438, a bill to 
name a postal facility in Berkeley, California, after Maudelle Shirek. 
Ms. Shirek has provided a significant service to this country fighting 
against injustice, poverty, and housing discrimination.
  Rollcall vote 494: I would have voted ``aye'' on H.J. Res. 66, 
supporting the goals and ideals of ``Lights On Afterschool,'' a 
national celebration of after-school programs.

                          ____________________