[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2785]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS H. ALLEN

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2008

  Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker, on February 25 and 26, 2008, I was 
unavoidably absent from the House due to a family illness.
  If I had been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote 
#69, a motion by Mr. Courtney of Connecticut to suspend the rules and 
agree to the passage of H. Res. 978, expressing support for the 
designation of the week of March 3-7, 2008, as ``School Social Work 
Week'' to promote awareness of the vital role of school social workers 
in schools, and in the community as a whole, in helping students 
prepare for their future as productive citizens.
  I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #70, a motion by Mr. 
Courtney of Connecticut to suspend the rules and agree to the passage 
of H. Res. 930, supporting the goals and ideals of ``Career and 
Technical Education Month.''
  I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #71, a motion by Mr. 
Courtney of Connecticut to suspend the rules and agree to the passage 
of H. Res. 944, honoring the service and accomplishments of Lieutenant 
General Russel L. Honore, United States Army, for his 37 years of 
service on behalf of the United States.
  I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #72, on agreeing to the 
Speaker's approval of the Journal of the last day's proceedings.
  I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #73, a motion by Mr. 
Hastings of Florida to order the previous question on adoption of H. 
Res. 974, a resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 3521 to 
improve the Operating Fund for public housing of the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development.
  I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #74, on agreeing to H. 
Res. 974, a resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 3521 to 
improve the Operating Fund for public housing of the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development.
  I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #75, an amendment offered 
by Mr. Sires of New Jersey to H.R. 3521. The amendment clarified the 
intent of an amendment offered by Rep. Velazquez and adopted by the 
Financial Services Committee by ensuring that public housing 
authorities that apply to HUD for ``stop-loss'' do not have their 
applications rejected on the basis that the management and related fees 
they establish pursuant to this bill are not reasonable as defined by 
HUD. Additionally, the amendment was a restatement of current law with 
respect to the ineligibility of illegal immigrants for assistance.
  I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #76, an amendment offered 
by Mr. Meek of Florida to H.R. 3521. The amendment holds HUD 
responsible, in the case of receivership, for performing the same 
responsibilities that the local housing agencies have in respect to 
working with tenant associations before building public housing. 
Additionally, in the case of receivership, before building new public 
housing HUD must honor any formal agreements entered into before the 
commencement of such receivership between the local housing authority 
and the tenant association.
  I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #77, a motion by Mr. 
Sires of New Jersey to table the motion of Mr. Smith of Texas to appeal 
the ruling of the chair that the provisions of the amendment contained 
in the instructions accompanying the motion to recommit offered by Mr. 
Smith were not germane.
  I ask unanimous consent that this statement be inserted in the 
appropriate place in the Record.

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