Timothy Johnson

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 444, I was taken from the floor by Agricultural staff to analyze certain issues, and inadvertently missed the first King amendment. I have been a strong supporter of ranch justice, including in the farm arena. However, the process of dealing with claims, and the fiscal impact, necessitate a ``present'' vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``present.'' Amendment Offered by Mr. King of Iowa

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 445, I was taken off the floor by agricultural staff to analyze certain agricultural issues, and inadvertently missed the vote. I am a strong pro-life Member, but this amendment addresses an issue simply not a part of the bill. Had I been present, I would have voted ``present.'' Amendment No. 22 Offered by Mr. Garrett

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Thank you, Mr. Kucinich, and thank you Members of the House. This issue of war and peace and separation of powers transcends partisan politics. A few years ago, together with my good friend, Steve Israel, I began what's known as the Center Aisle Caucus, which has a large membership now. Our goal is bipartisan solutions to America's challenges, and this bill reflects that approach. H. Con. Res. 51, on paper, addresses our illegal war in Libya; but, in spirit, it calls into question American presence in the Middle East, and it should command the attention of the national media, if you're listening, and every American citizen. Today I issue a challenge to an often divided Congress. To my Democratic colleagues, I ask you to candidly acknowledge that war is war, even when a Democratic President initiates, or perpetuates, that war. To my Republican colleagues, I ask you to acknowledge that a sincere and effective attack on our crippling national debt, without defense spending squarely on the table, is indefensible and disingenuous. To all of my colleagues, I ask you to acknowledge certain realities: one, our global warfare kills American men and women and innocent people all around the world every day. Two, we cannot impose our standards of democracy, humanitarianism, and culture--as much as we want to--on nations that don't care and resent our self-proclaimed role as judge and jury. Three, there is little, if any, connection between our actions in Libya and the safety of citizens in St. Louis, Missouri, or Mount Zion, Illinois. We spend almost $700 billion a year on defense, a significant portion of that for three wars. Three days ago, we voted on the issue of whether to increase our national debt limit to nearly $17 trillion. From President Bush to President Obama, and well before, Presidents have flagrantly and arrogantly violated article I, section 8 of the Constitution, not to mention the War Powers Act. The Speaker's resolution that we will vote on here in a few moments was strongly worded--and I believe sincerely offered--but it was just that: words. It is not and should not be a cover for any Member of this Chamber to fail to support the Kucinich bill, which puts teeth, real teeth, into congressional prerogatives. Support the Constitution, support fiscal responsibility, and support peace. Support the Kucinich resolution.

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately I was unable to cast my votes on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, due to a scheduled meeting in my District to discuss immigration policies with constituents in Champaign County, Illinois. Had I been present to vote on H.R. 1308, S. 307, and Approving the Journal, I would have voted as follows: On rollcall No. 254 on H.R. 1308, to amend the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act to extend the termination date for the Commission, I would have voted ``aye.'' On rollcall No. 255 on S. 307, to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 217 West King Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia, as the ``W. Craig Broadwater Federal Building and United States Courthouse'', I would have voted ``aye.'' On rollcall No. 256 on Approving the Journal, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately I was unable to cast my votes on Monday, April 4, 2011 due to a scheduled meeting in my District with constituents in St. Joseph and Ogden, Illinois and wish the record to reflect my intentions had I been present to vote on H.R. 1246. Had I been present to vote on rollcall No. 225 on H.R. 1246, to reduce the amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Defense for printing and reproduction, I would have voted in favor of this bill. It is imperative in these times of rising deficit and debt levels that we take a fine tooth comb to every budget and find wasteful spending. This bill, sponsored by an ex-member of our military, is a prime example of the types of bills we should continue to pursue as we tackle the overall levels of spending through the annual budget and appropriations process. Had I been present to vote on this bill, I would have voted, ``aye.''

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, while being later to the effort than my good friend Congressman Ron Paul, many of you know that I have long expressed concerns about the sometimes overreaching actions of federal law enforcement, especially as they interact with American citizens. Most law enforcement officials in this country are highly ethical with a strong desire to serve the effort to keep our country and our communities safe. Unfortunately, as in any profession, there are some people who do not uphold those standards. Those concerns are a principal reason why the Bill of Rights was passed. Those concerns should also hold a primary place in our thinking as we vote on legislation. This issue came closer to home for me as two constituents, one a U.S. citizen, were arrested by federal law enforcement officials this month, accused of violating a law that doesn't exist. My office attempted to get information about their arrest. We were denied information about which agency had arrested them, where they were being held, and the charges against them. All of the charges against them were dropped just eight days later after a federal judge reviewed the evidence and determined that no crime had been committed. The cost to my constituents was in the tens of thousands of dollars. They are still being threatened with the forfeiture of property. Now compare the plight of this American citizen with millions of people who have crossed into this country illegally. They proudly attend rallies and speak on television, openly proclaiming that they are in this country in defiance of our laws. Many do not pay taxes while many others are receiving monetary benefits from the government. It is reprehensible that our federal law enforcement would falsely and recklessly arrest one of our own citizens who owns a small business, pays taxes, and employs other Americans, while allowing lawbreakers from other countries to openly flaunt their violation of our laws. American citizens are not being served when the priorities of the federal government are so twisted.

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately I was unable to cast my votes on Monday, March 14, 2011 due to a scheduled meeting in my District with constituents to discuss local transportation issues and wish the record to reflect my intentions had I been present to vote on H.R. 793 and H. Con. Res. 27. Had I been present to vote on H.R. 793, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12781 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Inverness, California, as the ``Specialist Jake Robert Velloza Post Office'', I would have reluctantly voted in favor of this bill. I do not believe that in this time of high unemployment and rising deficit and debt levels we should be wasting time naming post offices. However, since I have a high respect for our military members and their sacrifices, on this bill I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present to vote on H. Con. Res. 27, providing for the acceptance of a statue of Gerald R. Ford from the people of Michigan for placement in the United States Capitol, I would have again reluctantly voted in favor of this bill. Again, at this time of high unemployment and record deficits and debts, I do not believe that we should be spending our time on placing statues in the U.S. Capitol. However, since we have set up a program allowing states to place statues in the Capitol and the people of Michigan have selected to honor President Gerald Ford, on this bill I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Madam Speaker, with the comprehensive and detailed analysis that we've already received from our distinguished chairman and my colleagues, I'm not sure what I can add, but I will try. Article I, section 1 of our Constitution provides that all legislative powers be granted to the Congress of the United States. I remember when I was in fifth grade, I had a teacher named Mrs. Arndt in a seminal moment in my education who taught us what was right at the time and what's been badly distorted since, and that is, that we have three branches of a government: an executive branch to apply the law; a judicial branch to interpret it; and a legislative branch to make the law. Unfortunately, that has all been turned on its head. We used to have the conventional wisdom that as we left here, that the people's life, liberty, and property were safe. In fact, as my colleague and good friend Ron Paul said, When we leave here, we lose accountability, and we turn the process over to unelected bureaucrats. The purpose of those constitutional provisions was to provide accountability through elections, the popular will; and yet this administration has consistently ignored separation of powers and legislative functions, blatantly and defiantly through unelected, often even unratified, unaccountable, nameless, faceless bureaucrats who continually thwart the popular will and sound public policy. American agriculture, the worldwide leader in creativity and progress, the source of cheap food for a hungry world, is the prime target and victim. My colleagues have dealt very articulately with issues of price controls, GMO regulations, restrictive fees, and overly burdensome regulations. In addition and specifically, Madam Speaker and Members of the House, we have dealt and continue to deal with an EPA, a USDA, and a U.S. Department of Transportation that have dealt in areas of dust, backdoor cap-and-trade enactments, the Clean Air Act, hours of service, GMO coexistence, and otherwise. The key is this: none of these actions by themselves could ever pass the House or the Senate. None of these usurpations of authority are authorized by the Congress, and all of these serve to add dramatically to the cost of doing business and to reduce America's ability to feed our Nation and help feed the world. Each one of us represents up to 800,000 people, and each one of us has to face the voters every 2 years. We have a sworn constitutional obligation to the American people which is being twisted and subverted daily by perhaps well meaning, but nonetheless unresponsive, people and agencies who have no practical scrutiny or control. And this bill, I contend, Madam Speaker, Mr. Chairman, and Members of the House, starts the process of restoration of legislative powers and upholding our fundamental, constitutional values, and the obligation to represent people rather than allowing people who were never elected or are unaccountable to run our public policy.

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately due to massive flight delays, I was not able to be in Washington, DC on Tuesday January 18, 2011 to vote on H.R. 292 and wished to express my intentions had I been in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, as American Airlines flight 3879 was boarding, the airline decided to hold the flight on the tarmac during a de-icing process of several other planes. My flight remained on the ground for well over two hours past its scheduled departure time of 3:10 CST. The plane eventually took off at 5:44 CST and did not arrive in Washington until 8:21 p.m. EST. Had I been present to vote on Rollcall No. 12, to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 292, the Stop the OverPrinting (STOP) Act, I would have voted ``yes''.

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately I was unable to vote on H. Res. 9 and wished to express my intentions had I been able to vote. I had been in the middle of an Agriculture Committee Public Forum with Secretary Vilsack when the first votes were called. I went down on the floor with my notes, as I was the next in line to ask the Secretary questions, and while I was reviewing my notes and questions mistakenly missed the second vote in the series. Had I been present to vote on rollcall No. 16, to pass H. Res. 9, Instructing certain committees to report legislation replacing the job- killing health care law, I would have voted ``yes.'' Stated against:

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. I find it appalling that a bill of this magnitude was amended in the Senate just hours before the House was asked to vote on it, with no Member having had the chance to review and deliberate on what we were voting on and enacting into law. When earlier versions of this bill were brought to the floor I had some major reservations and with no way to know if all of these were addressed I would not feel comfortable voting yes or no on this bill.

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, unfortunately I was not able to be in Washington, DC today to vote on the motion to concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 847. Had I been in Washington for this vote, I would have voted ``present.''

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Thank you, Congresswoman Foxx. Mr. Speaker, I have to say that in my five terms here, this has to take the award for the most creatively misleading acronym that I have ever seen attached to a bill. This may constitute a ``dream'' for a small number of people who choose to disregard or disobey the law, but it is in fact a sobering reality for America. It is a stark reality for citizens all over the Nation who have obeyed the law and to whom this is an absolute affront. It is an affront and a stark reality to middle American families who are struggling to pay their bills and send their children to college, only to find their own sons and daughters bumped aside by illegals in the process. It is an affront and a sobering reality to the American taxpayers and their children and grandchildren who are going to pay this bill to the tune of billions of dollars over the future. It is also a reality to the 10 percent of Americans who are unemployed who realize that the effect on the infrastructure of America in this bill is going to be absolutely negative with respect to Social Security benefits, jobs, loans, health care, education and otherwise. I would suggest to you, Mr. Speaker, that our national infrastructure simply can't afford this. I respect the sponsors of this bill. In fact, my good friend and colleague from Illinois, Congressman Gutierrez, is one of the principal movers of this bill. I respect the sincerity of the sponsors. But this is very bad public policy for America, and I would suggest to you that the long-run benefits are far overwhelmed and overrun by what it is going to cost the American taxpayer and what it is going to cost us who believe in the rule of law.

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, as we stand here this evening and debate this terribly misnamed bill, the American people face not a dream but a host of unmistakable realities: double-digit unemployment; a social service delivery system--most particularly, Social Security--that is terribly broken; their children and their grandchildren who simply cannot afford to go to school; and a national debt of over $14 trillion and growing by the hour, which really jeopardizes our collective future; and a Nation, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, where too often the rule of law yields to self- term expediency. I respectfully have to comment and respond to a number of the comments that were made on the other side of the aisle, not the least of which is the attempt to portray these individuals as somehow innocents and those who would be free of any lawbreaking. The fact is the law, the bill doesn't deal with that. It only deals with it indirectly. Secondly, we have the clear reality that people can be 15, 15\1/2\ years old and break the law, come over here and then bootstrap their families into citizenship, which deals with all the realities that couple and aggravate on top of that. The reality is this is a very bad piece of public policy. It's, I think, well-intended. I respect the sponsors, as I said in my comments on the rule. But at the end of the day, this is a bill that America cannot afford. And I strongly urge my colleagues, both Republican and Democrat, to vote ``no'' and to send a message to the American people that we still pay obeisance to and uphold the rule of law. And I urge a strong ``no'' vote.

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, Monday, November 29, I was unable to cast my votes on H.R. 5877 and H. Res. 771 and wish the record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote. Last night I was conducting a meeting with local businesses in my district and was unable to travel to Washington, DC in time for the votes. Had I been present on rollcall No. 581 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 5877, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 655 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, as the ``Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, United States Marine Corps Post Office Building'', I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present on rollcall No. 582 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 771, Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, on Monday, November 15th, I was unable to cast my votes on S. 3689, H. Res. 1713, and H. Con. Res. 328 and wish the record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote. Last night I was meeting with a constituent group in Savoy, Illinois and was unable to travel to Washington, DC in time for the votes. Had I been present on Rollcall No. 566 on suspending the rules and passing S. 3689, To clarify, improve, and correct the laws relating to copyrights, I would have voted Aye. Had I been present on Rollcall No. 567 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 1713, Recognizing the 50th anniversary of Ruby Bridges desegregating a previously all-White public elementary school, I would have voted Aye. Had I been present on Rollcall No. 568 on suspending the rules and passing H. Con. Res. 328, Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the successful and substantial contributions of the amendments to the patent and trademark laws that were initially enacted in 1980 by Public Law 96-517 (commonly referred to as the Bayh-Dole Act) on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its enactment, I would have voted Aye.

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I rise today to comment on H.R. 4785, the Rural Energy Savings Program. As marked up by the House Committee on Agriculture, this legislation would truly help rural America. Unfortunately, the bill considered on the House floor today, is an expensive, and unfortunate alternative that could result in $4.25 billion in extra spending that has nothing to do with rural America. The Rural Energy Savings Program would allow electric cooperatives to borrow money for the purposes of funding local energy efficiency programs. Eligible co-ops would provide money for energy efficiency upgrades to farms and rural consumers in the form of low-interest loans. In many cases, the costs to consumers would be covered by the resulting savings in their respective energy bills. I support H.R. 4785, as originally passed by the House Agriculture Committee. This voluntary program would help electric cooperatives provide potential energy solutions to their members. I voted against the rule for H.R. 4785, which had it failed would have paved the way for members to vote on a clean bill. However, the bill before us today adds a $4.25 billion authorization for a ``Home Star'' energy program that the House has already defeated once and therefore I voted no on the overall package. I strongly support section two of H.R. 4785, the Rural Energy Savings Program, and urge the House and Senate to work together to craft a bill that mirrors the work completed in the House Agriculture Committee. This Rural Energy Savings program is a sensible approach that could improve energy efficiency in rural America.

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, Monday July 26th, I was unable to cast my votes on H.R. 1320, H. Res. 1504, and H.R. 3101 and wish the record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote. Last night I was conducting a town hall meeting at the Mahomet Village Hall in Mahomet, Illinois and was unable to travel to Washington, DC in time for the votes. Had I been present on rollcall No. 467 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 1320, To amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency and accountability of Federal advisory committees, and for other purposes, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present on rollcall No. 468 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 1504, Recognizing and honoring the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present on rollcall No. 469 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 3101, Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, I stand in opposition to this rule and in sincere but deep opposition to this $63 billion massive spending bill, and particularly the war spending component of the bill. I speak, I believe, on the behalf of the hundreds of thousands of brave men and women who serve America in the Middle East with neither a defined objective nor the ability to assess victory or defeat; and on behalf of families of our military personnel around the world who have lost their fathers or their mothers or their sons or their daughters in a valiant but shortsighted effort and battle that can never be won; and on behalf of the American taxpayers who have seen more than $1 trillion poured into an attempt to fight terror, where there is not even a remote relationship to the welfare of the American people; and really, also, on behalf of the innocent children who have had the misfortune to simply be in the ever-changing line of fire and the vicinity of terrorists who move effortlessly from Iraq to Somalia to Yemen to Paraguay to Afghanistan like the Whack-a-Mole at the county fair in the form of unconventional and ill-defined tribal warfare that 2,000 years have taught us we simply cannot fight. I think it was November of 1952, when I was about 6 years old, that Charles Schultz and his Peanuts comic strip came out with the annual saga where, every year, Charlie Brown comes up to the football, and Lucy tells Charlie Brown year after year, ``Just one more time we'll let you kick ball.'' And each year, she pulled the football out, only to find Charlie Brown on his rear end. I would suggest to you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, in this somewhat stretched analogy, that a series of Commanders-in-Chief are Lucy, and we're Charlie Brown, and the football is the illusive promise of a goal that we simply cannot reach. We cannot force a culture to accept our values, and we cannot impose Western democracy on a people who don't understand or accept it and whose leadership is corrupt and antidemocratic beyond repair. And we cannot continue to spend the billions and, arguably, trillions of dollars of the hardworking men and women in this country in a venture that has no objective, no end game, and no proximate connection to the well-being of our Nation. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, we cannot afford economically, we cannot afford militarily, and we cannot afford as a people to pass this bill. This President who, frankly, won an election based on his strong antiwar message, like many of his predecessors, asked us one more time to spend a few more billion dollars--in this case $38 billion--a few thousand more men and women in an effort to kick the football just one more time. It simply isn't doable. I suggest to you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, that this rule underlies a bill that the vast majority, I believe, of the American people don't want. I represent a district in central Illinois, and I think I speak in many ways for middle America. I voted for the authorization of force in Iraq and, frankly, Afghanistan; and I believe, like many of us, I may have questioned my vote. But I believe that we're the greatest nation on Earth, thanks in large part to the generations of fighting men and women who have given their lives to this great cause and democracy and this great Nation of ours. As we prepare to celebrate our independence in a few days, I think I speak on behalf of the average American citizen who says, For what? What is this money being expended for? Why are we doing it? And what's the end game? And I would suggest to you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, that there is no end game, and I would respectfully ask that this rule and the underlying bill be defeated.

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, unfortunately this morning, Tuesday, June 29th, I was unable to cast my votes on Approving the Journal, H. Res. 1439, and on the Motion to Adjourn and wish the Record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote. Last night I was conducting a town hall meeting at the Philo City Hall in Philo, Illinois and was unable to catch an airplane that would get me to Washington, DC in time for the 10:30 a.m. votes. Had I been present on rollcall No. 395 on Approving the Journal, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present on rollcall No. 396 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 1439, Congratulating the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the 2010 Stanley Cup Championship, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present of rollcall No. 397 on the Motion to Adjourn, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, unfortunately last night, Monday May 24th, I was unable to cast my votes on H. Con. Res. 278, H.R. 1017, and H.R. 5330 as I was conducting a townhall meeting at the Tolono Public Library and wish the Record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote. Had I been present on rollcall No. 291 on suspending the rules and passing H. Con. Res. 278, Expressing the sense of Congress that a grateful Nation supports and salutes Sons and Daughters in Touch on its 20th Anniversary that is being held on Father's Day, 2010, at the Vietnam. Veterans Memorial in Washington, the District of Columbia, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present on rollcall No. 292 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 1017, the Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present on rollcall No. 293 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 5330, to amend the Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act of 2004 to extend the operation of such Act for a 5-year period ending June 22, 2015, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a constituent of mine, David Clark, who has announced his retirement after serving at the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for over 34 years. Mr. Clark joined the faculty of IFSI in 1976, rising to deputy director in 1998 where he has served ever since. Throughout his time at IFSI he has trained tens of thousands of firefighters throughout Illinois and the nation and has conducted groundbreaking research in firefighter life safety issues. His dedication, expertise, and passion have impacted so many firefighters throughout his time at IFSI, and his impact on the field of firefighting will be sorely missed. A member of the Illinois Terrorism Task Force since 2000, a volunteer firefighter for 20 years, and a member of the United States Army, David Clark has served his community, state, and nation selflessly, and I rise to thank him for that service and wish him the best in his retirement.

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Charles ``Kenny'' Hill, one of the hard working employees of the House Wellness Center. Kenny is retiring from duty as a Members' Wellness Center Attendant after 41 years of service to the Architect of the Capitol. He and his wife Carole look forward to enjoying his retirement with their children Lisa, Kenny, and Tony and their grandchildren Christopher, Charlie, Pamela, Tiffany, Elizabeth, Wayne, and Kyle. The Members of the 111th Congress would like to thank you Kenny for all your years of hard work and dedication. You will be missed.

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, unfortunately last night I was unable to cast my votes on H.R. 4543, H. Res. 1103, and H.R. 4861 and wish the Record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote. Last night, I was meeting with constituents of mine who represent various student organizations from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and I was unable to arrive in Washington, DC to cast my votes. Had I been present on rollcall No. 221 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 4543, the Anthony J. Cortese Post Office Building, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present on rollcall No. 222 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 1103, Celebrating the life of Sam Houston on the 217th anniversary of his birth, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present on rollcall No. 223 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 4861, the Steve Goodman Post Office Building, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, unfortunately last night I was unable to cast my votes on H. Res. 1145, H. Res. 1170, H. Res. 1163 and H. Res. 67. I was speaking at Mahomet-Seymour High School BullDog Pride Night at Mahomet-Seymour High School and I was unable to arrive in Washington, DC to cast my votes. Had I been present on Roll Call #112 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 1145, Recognizing the University of Arizona's 125 years of dedication to excellence in higher education, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present on Roll Call #113 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 1170, Congratulating the winners of the Voice of Democracy national scholarship program, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present on Roll Call #114 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 1163, Recognizing Washington State University Honors College for 50 years of excellence, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present on Roll Call #115 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 267, Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, expressing appreciation to Iranian-Americans for their contributions to society, and wishing Iranian-Americans and the people of Iran a prosperous new year, I would have voted ``aye.''