Congratulating the winners of the Voice of Democracy national scholarship program.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor the week of Monday, March 15, 2010.

For Monday, March 15, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 112 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1145), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 113 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1170), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 114 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1163), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 115 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 267).

For Tuesday, March 16, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 116 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 4628), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 117 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 311), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 118 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 605), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 119 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1128).

For Wednesday, March 17, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 120 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1089), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 121 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1167), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 122 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1184), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 123 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1141), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 124 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to S. 1147), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 125 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3954), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 126 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 946), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 127 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 4825).

For Thursday, March 18, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 131 (on motion to refer H. Res. 1193, raising a question of the privileges of the House), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 132 (on motion to table H. Res. 1193, raising a question of the privileges of the House), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 133 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3542), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 134 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3509), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 135 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1173).

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1170, congratulating the winners of the Voice of Democracy national scholarship program. The Voice of Democracy national scholarship program is an audio essay scholarship contest for American high school students across the world. Students in grades nine through twelve enter the contest by recording an audio essay on a selected theme. Since its beginning, the program has provided more than $3 million in scholarship funds to student winners. This year alone, $149,000 in scholarships was awarded to the winners. The Voice of Democracy's national competition is designed to foster patriotism by providing students with the opportunity to voice their opinion on selected themes. The 2009-2010 school year's theme was, ``Does America still have Heroes?'' America's youth responded with a resounding ``yes.''

Veterans of Foreign Wars began sponsoring this event in 1947 and also sponsor similar national essay competitions for middle school students. For example, Patriot's Pen encourages American students in grades six through eight to write an essay expressing their views on democracy, based on an annual theme. The VFW's 2.2 million members have fought for America's freedom and continue to give to our Nation through programs such as Voice of Democracy.

The first, second, and third place winners of the 2009-2010 voice of America's national scholarship competition are Madison Mullen, Anthony Zendejas IV, and Lena Savell, respectively. The winners were selected from over 50,000 student entries based on originality, content, and delivery of their audio essays. Finalists were invited here to Washington, D.C., to deliver their oral essays. Participating students' essays described today's heroes in America, and I'm sure that many of these students will grow up to become tomorrow's heroes.

I'd like to congratulate all the winners, finalists, and participants in the Voice of Democracy national scholarship program and thank the VFW for providing students with this opportunity. I'd also like to thank my colleague from California, Congressman Duncan Hunter, for sponsoring this resolution and thank the gentlelady from Hawaii for managing this bill, and I ask for my colleagues' support.

Having no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1170) congratulating the winners of the Voice of Democracy national scholarship program.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1170 into the Record.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today to congratulate the winners of the Voice of Democracy national scholarship program. The Voice of Democracy scholarship program was originally created in 1947 and now is an audio essay contest for high school students in grades nine through twelve that annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships. The winners are high school students from different parts of the country who clearly articulated and creatively presented American democratic values in a national scholarship competition. The first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship that is paid directly to the recipient's American university, college, vocational, or technical school.

Every year, thousands of students participate in the Voice of Democracy scholarship competition. With last year's theme, ``Does America still have Heroes?'' this competition makes democracy come alive and helps students connect their real-world experience to contemporary issues and events. This type of learning is important not only

for academic purposes, but also for youth civic engagement. Students are able to express their democratic knowledge and responsibilities in a creative art form.

Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate Madison Mullen, Anthony Zendejas IV, and Lena Savell for the first, second, and third place finishes, as well as all the rest of the winners. I hope all students think about the ideals of democracy and how they can contribute to our society. I thank Representative Hunter for bringing this resolution forward.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Once again, I urge all my colleagues to agree to House Resolution 1170, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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.''

Madam Speaker, I missed votes on Monday, March 15, 2010 due to travel delays. If I were present, I would have voted:

``Yea'' on rollcall 112, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 1145--Recognizing the University of Arizona's 125 years of dedication to excellence in higher education;

``Yea'' on rollcall 113, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 1170--Congratulating the winners of the Voice of Democracy national scholarship program;

``Yea'' on rollcall 114, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Res. 1163--Recognizing Washington State University Honors College for 50 years of excellence;

``Yea'' on rollcall 115, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to 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.