Eddie Johnson

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment that will increase the number of highly qualified African American Head Start teachers. Let me hasten to thank the chairman of the committee and the ranking member. This program has been successful. I am fortunate enough to have what has been labeled as the number one Head Start program in the country in my district, and what I am attempting to do in this amendment is to create partnerships between our Nation's historically black colleges and universities and Head Start. It does not eliminate anyone else's participation, but we know that by 2013 every Head Start teacher has to have a degree, and it could be parents because one of the secrets to success in these programs is to have lots of involvement of the parents and volunteers in the community. The partnerships will provide an opportunity for Head Start staff and parents of Head Start students to obtain degrees in early childhood education. Now, why must it be in a historically black college? Mr. Chairman, that is important because 30 percent of the total number of children in Head Start are African American. Only 6 percent of our Nation's 3 million teachers are African American and this is far too few, but also the historically black colleges and universities educate more African American teachers than all the other universities put together. So we would like to make this collaboration so that it can reflect the diversity and the need and encouragement of both the parents and the teachers to work together. They can serve as role models, the teachers who know and understand the students that come from their own communities, and this will not only increase the number of qualified African American Head Start teachers, but it will increase the number of role models for millions of children who are at risk of educational failure. So, today, only 6 percent of our Nation's 3 million teachers are African American. It is far too small, but this would offer a unique resource and support for those that are seeking a degree which is going to be necessary to maintain these jobs, and it also will offer I think a very positive role model situation in our Head Start program where appropriate. I would like to move adoption of my amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, let me say thanks to Mr. Payne and Ms. Lee for bringing this forth. I rise today in support of this resolution to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. This anniversary marks a significant moment in not only American history but the history of the world. For 300 years the transatlantic slave trade represented one of the most horrific periods in the history of human events. During this time, 12 million Africans were captured and brought to America as slaves. Millions more did not survive this horrific trip overseas, which could have lasted as long as 3 months. These individuals forcibly gave their lives and freedom to build the economic future of America, which includes this Capitol. While nothing can replace lives or freedom, it is important to acknowledge that the consequences of slavery still exist. While 200 years may have passed since the end of the transatlantic slave trade, the legacy of racism still persists. Today we take a step forward in healing those wounds by recognizing the past and acknowledging the impact it still has on our Nation. I would like to thank Representative Lee for writing this and bringing it forth. Because all too often, we think nobody remembers but us, those who still suffer from this horrific period in our history.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, thank you for our committee leadership. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 363, the Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act. This legislation was based on policy recommendations from the ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'' report to Congress by the National Academy of Sciences. One of the greatest challenges new researchers face is getting grant funding for their research. In Dallas, the University of Texas Southwest Medical School has four Nobel laureates, where they earned them right there, and UT-Dallas has at least one. Baylor University and others are stellar research institutions, and they compete at the national level for grants and perform award-winning scientific research. These universities depend on Federal research funding. When new faculty are hired at research universities in Texas and elsewhere, they are expected to be able to write grant proposals and successfully win funding from Federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and others. According to NIH, the average age at which the investigator first obtains RO1 major grant funding is age 42. If students are earning Ph.D.s in their late twenties, that means there are many years of struggle before they can establish themselves and eventually become full professors at these universities. As a result, many scientists have dropped out of science. It is too hard to get funding. The stress level is too high. Mr. Chairman, grant support targeted at new investigators is an important step toward resolving this problem. If Congress would fund Federal research as vigorously as our competitors overseas are doing, we wouldn't have such a problem. H.R. 363 targets young investigator grant support at the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and other scientific research agencies under the purview of the Committee on Science and technology. This is a good bill and I encourage my colleagues to support it.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, let me thank Mr. Ehlers as well as Mr. Gordon for accepting this amendment, and I fully support it and I fully support the bill.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, let me thank Mr. Gordon, Mr. Hall, and our subcommittee chair as well as the ranking member. I rise in strong support of H.R. 362. It is an essential measure to world competitiveness for this country. We are in the storm. We cannot accomplish rising above until we invest in our teachers, teachers that are qualified. Many of our teachers love teaching and they are trying hard, but they simply do not have the background needed. A lot of it has to do with pay, because the people who are well-qualified in these areas simply do not come to the classroom because they do not pay enough. I support the Noyce teacher scholarships, and I know that the storm of need is sure and it is now. It takes efforts and investment to deal with this issue. There are now more and more high-need schools which means we have more and more students that need special attention, and we cannot have a positive future until we include them in this education. This is called the investment in America's future. We are depending on the home people to be prepared because the H-1B visas are causing us to brain drain other countries. This is a global need, and we must be ready to prepare our own. We will be left with no possible preparation in this area, and we will move right into a Third World nation. We must remedy this. Implementing the provisions of H.R. 362 will go a long way in remedying this problem, and I firmly believe that with proper resources we know our young people can do it. There is a school in my district with some of the poorest kids, but they are doing it because they have the proper resources.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Let me proceed to thank my colleagues for bringing this rule to the House so that we can rise above the gathering storm. Mr. Speaker, this is not to insult anyone. I know what it feels like not to be given the opportunity to offer an amendment, I truly do. But this is a well-substantiated reason because we are in a crisis in this Nation, and we must rise to the occasion. We are moving backwards right now, or standing still. The measure is an investment in America's future, and we must move it. We must support our American scholars so that we can get the leadership and the thoughts we need to convey to other young people. Our young scholars are not getting the support they need now. They really need more, because they are the future. The alternative to this bill is to become a Third World nation with all the low-paying jobs, because all of the other ones will leave this country to go where the talent is. We must move fast. We are in a crisis, and I would hope that we would accept this rule as it is.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, let me thank our leaders on the committee. This is a very important bill. It is most especially for me, because for the last 15 years that I have been here, I have been preaching about this. So I rise in strong support of H.R. 362 for 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act. The Committee on Science and Technology has worked to produce legislation to act upon the recommendations of the ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'' report which was published by the National Academy of Sciences. This bill addresses the issues that they recommended to improve the quality and number of math and science teachers across the Nation. Of particular interest to me is the Noyce teacher scholarship program. This program provides grants to universities to give scholarships to math, science and engineering students who become math and science teachers. Original law stated that for every 1 year the scholarship was awarded, new teachers must spend 2 years teaching in a high-needs school. This high-needs school requirement was softened by H.R. 362, but I am pleased that the chairman agreed to modify the bill in conference to restore incentives for teachers to serve in high-need schools. We are losing so many students because they are are from poor communities. The new design will provide more money per scholarship for students who agree to teach in underserved classrooms. This incentive will hopefully entice passionate and high-quality Noyce scholars to share their talents with students most in need. I want to commend the chairman's sensitivity to the great disparities that exist in availability of highly qualified math and science teachers in schools across the country. As a matter of fact, in my district we have the number one high school in the country in this area, but not without a great deal of effort. The subcommittee chair, where I was ranking member for about 6 years, Mr. Baird, and ranking member, Mr. Gingrey, of the Research and Science Education Subcommittee have been great advocates for lessening the achievement gap as well. H.R. 362 also contains a laboratory science partnership pilot program that I have worked on with Mr. Hinojosa from Texas, and he has been a strong advocate because many of these schools don't have equipment. Overall, this legislation is designed to strengthen our Nation's scientific competitiveness by producing thousands of talented and well- educated math and science teachers. That is the only way we are going to remain competitive in this country. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 362.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise to address my concerns for the 5.4 million Texans who are without health insurance. Nearly 25 percent of Texans are uninsured. That's the highest rate in the entire country. The irony is that Dallas and other cities have great health care networks. The problem is that of access to care. In Dallas, there are many examples of health care excellence, including Parkland Memorial Hospital, Baylor University Medical Center, Methodist Medical Center, UT Southwestern Medical School, the Dallas Veterans Administration Medical Center, and others. However, the price of insurance is robbing Texans of access to the appropriate medical care. Emergency rooms are overcrowded. Only half of Texas children are covered by employment-based insurance. We must fix the problem of the uninsured. Affordable, accessible health care coverage should be available to every American. Health care should not be a cash cow for the insurance companies.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for the time. I rise with great sadness to remember my friend, my sorority sister in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and my colleague, Juanita Millender- McDonald. And I want to extend my deep condolences to her husband James, her children, friends, and loved ones. I was privileged to serve with her on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and her diligent service is evident in many of California's roads, bridges, and highways. I worked with her when she was cochair of the Congressional Women's Caucus. She did it with such charm, grace, poise, and dignity. This body is diminished and dismayed by her sudden absence, but we were inspired and enriched by her presence. Her spirit will live on. Her work will be felt by those who don't even know she helped. We celebrate her life. It was a wonderful, wonderful life. And we love her and her family. Madam Speaker, I rise with great sadness to remember my friend, my sorority sister and my colleague, Juanita Millender-McDonald. I want to extend my deep condolences to her husband, James, her children, friends and loved ones. As chairwoman of the Committee on House Administration, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald will be recorded in history as the first African- American woman to chair a full committee of the House. Those of us privileged to know and work with her will remember her tireless advocacy for justice and her example of meaningful public service. Throughout her career, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a friend to women's causes and to young people. Her work to end human trafficking and slow the transmission of AIDS has improved countless lives. The results of her work--improved lives for women and girls worldwide, expanded voting rights for the disenfranchised, greater assistance for the sick and the poor--are a testament to her character. From the beginning, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was a trailblazer: She was the first African-American woman to serve on the Carson, California City Council. In her first term in the California State Assembly, she became the first woman to chair two powerful committees. She was the first African-American woman to give the national Democratic response to President Bush's weekly radio address as well. But for all her firsts, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald was also a champion for the least and the last. She fought injustice wherever she found it: Whether in the voting booth, the classroom, the research lab, or the workplace. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald rigorously investigated widespread voting irregularities and disenfranchisement. She was a vocal opponent of genocide around the world and a tireless fighter for human rights. Her Mother-to-Child HIV/AIDS Transmission Act became the President's $15 billion African AIDS initiative. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald also worked to increase diabetes research in minority and female populations; she pushed the Department of Education to improve the dismal dropout rates among minority high school students and secured millions to reduce the backlog of Equal Employment Opportunity complaints. The first time voters in Ohio can feel more confident their votes will count because of Congresswoman Millender-McDonald. The elderly diabetics in her home State of Alabama have a better chance of avoiding amputation because of her. She had a hand in granting diplomas to thousands of Native American students growing up on reservations; and countless girls in Cambodia and Sudan have her to thank for a childhood free from kidnapping and assault. They may never know where to direct their gratitude, but the alleviation of their suffering stands as her lasting legacy. Her influence is also inscribed on the physical landscape of California's 37th district. I was privileged to serve with her on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and her diligent service is evident in many of California's roads, bridges and highways. Congresswoman Miliender-McDonald's record of exemplary public service includes life memberships in the NAACP and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She served on the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Board of Directors, and founded the League of African-American Women. Congresswoman Millender-McDonald also founded the Young Advocates to train young people for political leadership. This body is diminished and dismayed by her sudden absence, but we were inspired and enriched by her presence. Her commitment to equal opportunity, civil and human rights will be greatly missed.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I support the amendment offered by my colleague, Mr. Boswell. Congressman Boswell has been working with the Committee to resolve scoring issues related to modifications for the Rathbun Lake, Iowa project that had surfaced since the project was last included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2005. It is my understanding that these issues have now been settled. I urge the adoption of this amendment.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I support the manager's amendment on this water resources bill. The manager's amendment reflects project and policy revisions that have come to the attention of the subcommittee that I chair, and the subcommittee of Water Resources Environment. Since the bill was passed out of committee, the Transportation and Infrastructure, in March, the amendment contains authorizations that are by no means inequitable to those that were contained in the bill that passed out of committee. Likewise, the projects in the manager's amendment were not considered on a partisan basis but on a need basis and merit. And this has been a long tradition in our committee, and I hope we will always have that. I support the amendment. And I want to express my appreciation to the persons who did do all of the certifications and all the new paperwork we have to do. And I want to thank the ranking member on the subcommittee as well as the full committee and our general chairman. Thank you so very much.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to rise to support H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act of 2007. This bill authorizes water resources projects and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers policy and programmatic changes that our Congress has failed to consider for far too long. Water resources legislation is most effective when it is considered biennially. I support this 2-year cycle, as it provides stability to the program and assurance to the non-Federal sponsors who support Corps projects. When we let them go, they get to be more costly. And, unfortunately, no water resources bill has been enacted since 2000, the entire term of our current administration. This is a result, in part, of a failure of the current administration to engage in this important legislation, as well as a failure of the Congress to reach agreement. Last year, we came very close to resolving our differences with the other body in conference. However, we ultimately ran out of time. I hope this legislation that we consider today can take us to that point and further, releasing this backlog of authorizations to fix our existing infrastructure and to authorize new flood control, navigation and environmental restoration projects. We are trying very hard to move a little ahead of the next flooding. We must do that. And they are not going to kick out Democrats or Republicans for flooding, it is going to be whoever is in the way. It is purposeful that we have brought this bill to the floor as early as we have in this session. The authorizations in the language are time sensitive, and there should be no surprise that this bill contains a substantial number of provisions. Many of these authorizations have been waiting for action more than 6 years. Within the 110th Congress, the committee intends to move two water resources bill. This first one contains a logjam of more than 6 years of issues. The second bill will consider new projects and policy changes that we were not able to add to this legislation, that we will consider today. This approach may not be traditional, but it is necessary. Since Congress last passed a Water Resources Development Act, we have seen Hurricanes Katrina and Rita tear up the gulf coast and my home State of Texas, flooding cities, damaging economies and businesses, and threatening public health. The Florida Everglades continue to need attention and restoration to save the unique treasures it brings to the State and our country. This bill also contains smaller projects that may be less publicized but just as vital to communities that rely on various water resources for their livelihood. As in the past, these projects were not considered on a partisan basis, but on individual merit. Their approval should not be considered solely on whether they are Democratic projects or Republican projects; these are human projects. They should be considered on their contributions to public safety and economics. H.R. 1495 authorizes programmatic changes to the Corps of Engineers that previously have passed the House, but have stalled in the failed conference negotiations. During the 109th Congress we came close to resolving these differences with the Senate. I urge my colleagues to once again support these provisions. Everybody who has been here more than 6 years ought to know what everything is in this bill because they have seen it over and over and over again. We must engage the other body and together produce the best package for Corps reform. I would like to acknowledge Chairman Oberstar for his leadership and eloquence in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as the interest and expertise that he shares on water resources issues. I also would like to thank our ranking member, Mr. Mica, and the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Baker, for their knowledge and effort and partnership with me, and for their support. I strongly support this legislation. I hope and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of its final passage. The time is now.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1905. I rise today in support of H.R. 1905, the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007. I congratulate my colleagues for their courage and veracity to consider this measure and support its passage after 231 years of injustice. Since the birth of our Nation the residents of the District of Columbia have been deprived of their fundamental Federal rights, despite paying their Federal taxes. I would like to thank Congresswoman Elanor Holmes Norton from the District of Columbia for her leadership and tenacity. Since elected to Congress in 1996, Congresswoman Norton has consistently fought for voting representation in the United States Congress. Our democracy and our values as Americans are contingent upon the idea that every person should have the right to vote and have that vote counted. The citizens of the District of Columbia have not been able to fully realize this right. While they are able to vote in presidential election yet their voice in the body of the House of Representatives has too often been silenced. This is in direct opposition of the values of equality and opportunity that we hold so dearly as American citizens. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to give the District of Columbia residents a vote in Congress. I hope we could finally grant the residents of the District of Columbia the voice that they deserve.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 227, I missed voting because of a visit to the doctor's office. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in complete support of the Financial Literacy Month Resolution which addresses the public's lack of knowledge of basic financial principles and aims to lessen our Nation's already enormous consumer debt. According to recent studies, many young Americans seem to be lacking personal financial management skills. The facts indicate that for nearly a decade now, high school seniors have possessed an insufficient knowledge of personal finance. Attempting to address this gap in knowledge and to prevent future financial blunders, 16 states are requiring basic financial education in their high schools. I strongly believe that, as a result of such efforts, many young citizens will become financially responsible. This will not only enlighten their personal lives, but ultimately combat our growing consumer debt. Along with America's youth, many adults are also seemingly incapable of properly managing their finances. It is my understanding that, three years ago, a Retirement Confidence Survey found that 42 percent of workers surveyed had not calculated how much money they will need for retirement; and additionally, 37 percent of the workers said that they were not saving for retirement. From these statistics and with the current status of Social Security, I feel that it would be beneficial for many Americans to be educated on financial opportunities; including, but not limited to, qualified cash and deferred arrangements. Thus, we must promote nation-wide financial literacy programs to help citizens seize such opportunities. In closing, our Nation's expanding consumer balance and the economic fears of many Americans can both be assuaged through H.R. 273. I am delighted that many of my fellow members are already in favor of this resolution, and I encourage my other colleagues to follow suit.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Let me thank our chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Ms. Kilpatrick, and Mr. Scott, our colleagues, for their unwavering support for the development of the CBC alternative budget that encompasses progressive and visionary funding motivated by principle and compassion. I also would like to thank all of the members of the CBC and their staffs for helping to complete this very important task. I appreciate and applaud their efforts on issues important to all of us. Madam Chairman, the CBC alternative budget understands that our Nation's transportation system is the backbone of our economy and our way of life. We could not afford to shortchange our transportation system, nor ignore the need for greater competitiveness in science and technology. As a senior member of the Science Committee, I feel the CBC budget supports these initiatives to invest in our children's future, our future, our Nation's future. Federal entitlements such as NASA and the National Science Foundation need funding to inspire today's youth so that we can have a future in research and competitiveness. The science budget funds our scientific and engineering workforce, supports teacher enrichment programs and helps inspire future generations of researchers. Our Nation's future depends more and more on the quality of our innovative ideas. The fruits of these investments meet vital national needs and improve the quality of life for all Americans. The CBC alternative budget also provides funding for the minority health initiatives, health insurance for the uninsured, child nutrition programs, job creation programs, the SBA, and the extension of unemployment insurance benefits and the elimination of the disabled veterans tax. I urge my colleagues to support this budget, and don't listen to the rhetoric of taxes being raised. We have different priorities.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have no further requests for speakers. I want to thank both sides for their support, and I urge adoption.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I yield 1 minute to Mr. Andrews from New Jersey.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this amendment proposes text changes to section 107 of the bill, the section that deals with improved training for health care professionals, medical care case managers and servicemember advocates on particular conditions of recovering servicemembers. As of March 1 of this year, over 24,000 servicemembers have been wounded in action since the onset of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to the Department of Defense. The Government Accountability Office has found that servicemembers injured in combat face an array of medical and financial challenges as they begin their recovery process in the health care systems of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veteran Affairs. A GAO report was recently released on March 5 and entitled ``DoD and Va Health Care, Challenges Encountered By Injured Service Members During Their Recovery Process.'' According to the report, Mr. Chairman, the Department of Defense screens servicemembers for post-traumatic stress disorder, but it does not ensure that further mental health evaluations occur. DoD health care providers review questionnaires, interview servicemembers, and use clinical judgment in determining the need for further mental health evaluation. Sadly, DoD found that only 22 percent of the service members who may have been at risk for developing post- traumatic stress syndrome were actually referred by the Defense Department health care providers for further evaluation. In addition, the Defense Department never identified the factors as health care actually used to determine which servicemembers needed the referrals. Although our wounded warriors may obtain mental health evaluations for treatment for post-traumatic stress through the VA, and the VA may face a challenge in meeting the demand for these services, VA officials estimated that follow-ups for veterans to get treatment for this stress syndrome may be delayed up to 90 days. Now, Mr. Chairman, I spent my professional career as a psychiatric nurse with the Veterans Administration. I can tell you that we could save time and money if we had the proper people in place to diagnose early, or at least get a referral. We miss a lot of early symptoms that later causes long-term unemployment, long-term financial stress and long-term hospitalization simply because we have not put the well- trained people in place, professional social workers, professional nurses that would diagnose and know that something needs to be done to prevent further deterioration, and that is my reason for bringing this. My 15 years of hands-on inpatient program care were specialized in mental health. And I have my credentials to show that. And my amendment strengthens this section because I feel that more emphasis needs to be made on adequate training by health care professionals to recognize these signs, including suicidal tendencies, so that the early intervention can come, and it will shorten the recovery period. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that my amendment be modified with the text that I have at the desk that proposes text changes in section 107 of the bill.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, due to sickness, I was unable to vote during the following rollcall votes, had I been present I would have voted: ``yea'' on rollcall No. 179, On Ordering the Previous Question, Providing for the consideration of H.R. 1433 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act; ``aye'' on rollcall No. 180, On Agreeing to the Resolution, Providing for the consideration of H.R. 1433; District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 181, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, Use of Rotunda for Holocaust Days of Remembrance Ceremony; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 183, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, Native American Methamphetamine Enforcement and Treatment Act of 2007; and ``aye,'' on rollcall No. 184, On Approving the Journal.