Honoring the workers who perished on the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana, extending condolences to their families, and recognizing the valiant efforts of emergency response workers at the disaster site.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the Chair regarding the votes that I missed on the following dates:

May 12, due to the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson, I missed the following votes:

Rollcall vote No. 259, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 260, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 261, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 262, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 263, I would have voted no;

Rollcall vote 264, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 265, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 266, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 259-266 on Wednesday, May 12, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during roll call 259-266 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. Had I been present, for rollcall vote 259, on agreeing to the resolution, H. Res. 1344, ``Providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 5116, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 260, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5014, `` To clarify the health care provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that constitutes minimum essential coverage,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 261, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended, H. Con. Res. 268, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of National Women's Health Week, and for other purposes,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 262, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Gordon Amendment No. 1,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 263, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Hall of Texas Amendment No. 6,'' I would have voted ``no''; for rollcall vote 264, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Markey of Massachusetts Amendment No. 10,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 265, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``George Miller of California, Amendment No. 12,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for roll call vote 266, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Reyes of Texas Amendment No. 13,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

Tuesday, May 18, due similarly to the passing of my mother:

Rollcall votes 273 to 275, motion to suspend the rules, rollcall vote 273, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 274, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 275, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 273-275 on Tuesday, May 18, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during roll-call 273-275 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 273, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 2288, ``Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Improvement Act of 2009,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 274, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 4614, ``Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act of 2010,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 275, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, H. Res. 1327, ``Honoring the life achievements, and contributions of Floyd Dominy,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

On the 20th of May, due to the passing of my mother, I missed the following votes:

Rollcall vote 284, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 285, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 286, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 287, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 288, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 289, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 290, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 284-290 on Thursday, May 20, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall 284-290 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 284, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5327, ``To authorize assistance to Israel for the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system,'' I would have voted ``aye''.

For rollcall vote 285, on motion to suspend the rules agree to, H. Res. 1256, ``Congratulating Phil Mickelson on winning the 2010 Masters golf tournament,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 286, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to, H. Res. 1336, `` Congratulating the University of Texas men's swimming and diving team for winning the NCAA Division I national championship,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 287, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 1361, ``Recognizing North Carolina Central on its 100th anniversary,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 288, on ordering the previous question, H. Res. 1363, ``Granting the authority provided under clause 4(c)(3) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to the Committee on Education and Labor for purposes of its investigation into underground coal mining safety,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 289, on agreeing to resolution, H. Res. 163, ``Granting the authority provided under clause 4(c)(3) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to the Committee on Education and Labor for purposes of its investigation into underground coal mining safety,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 290, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5128, ``To designate the Department of the Interior Building in Washington, District of Columbia, as the Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

Accordingly, I continued to miss time on the passing of my mother on May 24, and I missed rollcall votes 291 to 293.

I would have voted, on rollcall vote 291, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 292, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 293, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 291-293 on Monday, May 24, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall 291-293 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 291, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. 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 Fathers Day, 2010, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, the District of Columbia,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 292, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 1017, ``Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 293, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5330, ``To amend the Anti-trust Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act of 2004 to extend the operation of such Act for a 5-year period ending June 22, 2015, and for other purposes,'' I would have voted ``aye''.

On Tuesday, May 25, accordingly, I missed the following votes pursuant to the earlier statement:

Rollcall vote 294, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 295, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 296, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 297, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 298, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 299, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 300, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 301, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 294-301 on Tuesday, May 25, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall 294-301 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 294, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 5145, ``Assuring Quality Care for Veterans Act,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 295, on motion to suspend the rule and agree to H. Res. 437, ``Expressing support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 296, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 1382, ``Expressing sympathy to the families of those killed by North Korea in the sinking of the Republic of Korea Ship Cheonan, and solidarity with the Republic of Korea in the aftermath of this tragic incident,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 297, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 584, ``Recognizing the importance of manufactured and modular housing in the United States,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 298, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H.Res. 3885, ``Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 299, on motion to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to H.R. 2711, ``Special Agent Samuel Hicks Families of Fallen Heroes Act,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 300, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res.

1189, ``Commending Lance Mackey on winning a record 4th straight Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 301, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 1172, ``Recognizing the life and achievements of Will Keith Kellogg,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

May 26, I was unavoidably detained on official business. I missed rollcall vote 302. I would have voted aye;

Rollcall vote 303, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 304, I would have voted ``aye''; and

Rollcall vote 305, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 302-305 on Wednesday, May 26, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, because I was away from the office on official business. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted, had I been present.

For rollcall vote, 302, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1347, ``Honoring the workers who perished on the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana, extending condolences to their families, and recognizing the valiant efforts of emergency response workers at the disaster site,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 303, on motion to suspend the rule and agree to H. Res. 1385, ``recognizing and honoring the courage and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and for other purposes,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 304, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res 1316, ``Celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 305, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 1169, ``Honoring the 125th anniversary of Rollins College,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1347) honoring the workers who perished on the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana, extending condolences to their families, and recognizing the valiant efforts of emergency response workers at the disaster site.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I present H. Res. 1347 for consideration. This resolution honors the 11 workers who perished on the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil platform following an explosion on April 20 of this year. We mourn their loss and extend our prayers and condolences to their families.

H. Res. 1347 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Louisiana, Representative Charlie Melancon, on May 11, 2010. The measure was reported to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which waived consideration of the measure to expedite its consideration on the floor today. The resolution has the support of over 50 Members of the House.

Mr. Speaker, the deaths of the 11 workers on the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil platform last month were a tragic reminder of the severe hazards that offshore workers face every day. As we mourn the loss of these men, let us take a moment to reaffirm our commitment to the safety of our offshore oil workers and all Americans who perform such dangerous and necessary work every day. Let us also take a moment to commend our Coast Guard and the local rescue crews for their tireless efforts responding to this catastrophe. Their jobs are also incredibly difficult and dangerous, and we thank them for their hard work.

Mr. Speaker, the Deepwater Horizon explosion and the ongoing crisis of the oil spill it produced will have significant political and policy ramifications. We will debate those here on the House floor, but that is not what we are here to do today. As we are joined today by the family of one of the victims of the explosion, let us put aside all differences and offer our united, heartfelt, and profound sympathies to the families and friends of these 11 workers.

I would now like to place into the Congressional Record the names of these hardworking Americans who lost their lives in this tragedy: Dale Burkeen, Donald Clark, Roy Wyatt Kemp, Jason Anderson, Stephen Curtis, Gordon Jones, Karl Kleppinger, Blair Manuel, Dewey Revette, Shane Roshto, and Adam Weise.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure. I thank the gentleman from Louisiana for introducing it, and I also thank the chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Congressman Towns of New York, as well as the ranking member, Representative Issa of California, for their support.

[From Times Online, Apr. 30, 2010]

The Missing Men of Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig

(By Joanna Sugden)

Eleven men were missing presumed dead after the Deepwater

Horizon oil rig exploded last week.

Dale Burkeen, 37 was a crane operator on the platform and

was trained to lower crew members to boats in an emergency.

He had returned to the rig from Neshoba, near Philadelphia,

about a week before the explosion. He and wife, Rhonda, have

two children, Aryn, 14 and Timothy, 6.

Donald Clark, 49 of Newellton, Louisiana, was expected to

leave the rig the day after the explosion for a three-week

break. He was an assistant driller.

Roy Wyatt Kemp, 27, has two children, Kaylee, 3, and 3-

month-old Maddison, with his wife, Courtney.

He loved fishing and the outdoors and attended a Baptist

church in Jonesville, Louisiana, where a memorial service for

him will be held today.

Jason Anderson, was a father of two from Bay City, Texas.

Stephen Curtis was an assistant driller on the rig from

Georgetown, Louisiana.

Gordon Jones, 28, of Louisiana, was expecting to become a

father to a second son with his wife, Michelle.

Karl Kleppinger, 38, of Natchez, Mississippi was a Desert

Storm veteran who spent more than ten years working on oil

rigs. He was a floorman who made about $75,000 a year working

off the Louisiana coast.

Blair Manuel, 56, resident of Gonzales, Louisiana, was a

chemical engineer on the rig.

Dewey Revette, 48, from State Line, Mississippi, was a

father who had worked for the company as an oil driller for

29 years.

Shane Roshto, 22, was from Franklin County, Mississippi.

His family were named on law suits filed by Louisiana's

fisheries industry, accusing BP and Transocean, the rig

operator, of negligence.

Adam Weise, 24, of Yorktown, Texas, came straight from high

school work on the rig in 2005. He loved to hunt and fish and

play football. He was the youngest of four children.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman, a great leader, from Louisiana (Mr. Melancon),.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1347, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, last week, due to a death in the family, I was not present to vote on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have cast the following votes:

Rollcall 291: H. Con. Res. 278 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--``yes.''

Rollcall 292: H.R. 1017 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 293:. H.R. 5330 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 294: H.R. 5145 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 295: H. Res. 1258 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 296: H. Res. 1382 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 297: H. Res. 584 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 298: H.R. 3885 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 299: H.R. 2711 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendments--``yes.''

Rollcall 300: H. Res. 1189 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 301: H. Res. 1172 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 302: H. Res. 1347 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 303: H. Res. 1385 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 304: H. Res. 1316 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 305: H. Res. 1169 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 306: H. Con. Res. 282 On Agreeing to the Resolution--``no.''

Rollcall 307: H. Res. 1404 On Agreeing to the Resolution--``no.''

Rollcall 308: H. Res. 1161 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 309: H. Res. 1372 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 310: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``yes.''

Rollcall 311: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``yes.''

Rollcall 312: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 313: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``yes.''

Rollcall 314: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 315: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 316: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``yes.''

Rollcall 317: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 318: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``yes.''

Rollcall 319: H.R. 5136 On Approving the Journal--``no.''

Rollcall 320: H. Res. 1391 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 321: H. Res. 1403 On Ordering the Previous Question--``no.''

Rollcall 322: H. Res. 1403 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 323: H. Res. 1403 On Agreeing to the Resolution, as Amended--``no.''

Rollcall 324: H.R. 4213 On Concurring in the Senate amdt with amdt (except portion comprising section 532--``no.''

Rollcall 325: H.R. 4123 On concurring in Senate amdt with portion of amdt comprising section 523--``no.''

Rollcall 326: H.R. 5116 First Portion of the Divided Question-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 327: H.R. 5116 Second Portion of the Divided Question-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 328: H.R. 5116 Sixth Portion of the Divided Question-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 329: H.R. 5116 Seventh Portion of the Divided Question-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 330: H.R. 5116 Eighth Portion of the Divided Question-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 331: H.R. 5116 Ninth Portion of the Divided Question-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 332: H.R. 5116 On Passage--``no.''

Rollcall 333: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the En Bloc Amendments, as Modified--``yes.''

Rollcall 334: H.R. 5136 Table Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair-- ``no.''

Rollcall 335: H.R. 5136 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 336: H.R. 5136 On Passage--``no.''

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1347. This resolution honors the workers who perished on the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil platform off the coast of Louisiana and extends our sincerest condolences to those families. It also recognizes the valiant efforts of emergency response workers and volunteers at the disaster site.

I commend my colleague and friend, Congressman Melancon, for bringing this important piece of legislation before the House, and I extend my appreciation to him and to the rest of our colleagues in the Louisiana congressional delegation for working together to address this disaster.

Mr. Speaker, I have come to the House floor a number of times since April 20 speaking of the ongoing impact of this tragedy on the gulf coast. Today, though, I wish to focus this body's entire attention on those whose lives were lost on that day and those who continue to respond to the crisis.

As I listen to my colleagues speak in support of this resolution, my heart is heavy. As with their families and friends, I mourn the loss of those who died aboard the oil platform. On that tragic day, the 11 men--Jason, Aaron, Donald, Stephen, Roy, Karl, Gordon, Blair, Dewey, Shane, and Adam--were on the rig doing what they knew best. The demands of working the rigs, as anyone who lives along the gulf coast knows, are great. It is physically demanding work, and it takes loved ones away from their families for long stretches at a time.

Our coastline is a working coastline because we are blessed with an abundance of natural resources in the Gulf of Mexico. From fishermen to those working the rigs, each day you can find thousands on the waters laboring to produce these resources and to contribute to the industry and economy of this Nation.

On April 20, the 11 men were working to provide the energy that has driven this Nation for centuries and that continues to be a force in the economy of my home State of Louisiana. This is dangerous work, and it is our responsibility to ensure that safety precautions are taken and that procedures are strictly followed.

The explosion is being investigated by various parties, including congressional committees, and it is our responsibility to ensure the findings are swiftly addressed with new policies to strengthen safety procedures for those working in dangerous and uncertain conditions. You have my word this will be done.

In times of tragedy, this Nation has come together as one, and this is especially the case for those along the gulf coast. I wish to recognize the extraordinary work of the thousands of volunteers and emergency personnel, from the Red Cross to the U.S. Coast Guard, whose unhesitating response to the call of need thus represents the compassion and dedication of this great Nation.

To the families of the 11 who perished, I realize that nothing my colleagues nor I here today can say will return your sons, husbands, and brothers to you, but it is my hope that the gratitude and respect we express on behalf of the citizens of this great Nation will provide some comfort to you while you grieve your loss.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1347.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my distinguished colleague and friend from Louisiana (Mr. Alexander).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my distinguished colleague from the State of Louisiana (Mr. Scalise).

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1347, which honors the lives of the 11 workers who were tragically killed in the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil platform off the coast of Louisiana. It also commends the rescue workers who courageously responded to the explosion. They showed tremendous strength by risking their lives to save those of others.

I thank Chairman Towns for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. I also thank the sponsor of this legislation, Congressman Melancon, for honoring the individuals who lost their lives in the explosion. In addition, I would like to commend the Congressman for his commitment to serving the people of South Louisiana and promoting the interests of the Gulf Coast region throughout the many challenges it faces. Congressman Melancon is a champion of South Louisiana's hard- working people, ecologically unique coastal environment, and nationally cherished culture.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the 11 individuals who passed away in the explosion. I know that they will be missed by their neighbors, friends, and coworkers, but most of all by their families, who will mourn their loss more than we can imagine. The men who passed away on April 20, 2010, were loving husbands, sons, and brothers. We must offer our support and care to their families in this time of need.

Hopefully, this tragic event can serve as a poignant reminder of the need for strong regulations and workplace protections in the offshore oil and gas industry. Measures must be put in place to ensure that a disaster of this kind never happens again. Offshore oil and gas exploration is a line of work that inevitably carries personal safety risks. However, with frequent safety checks, more stringent regulations, and the implementation of the most modern technologies, we can mitigate these risks and promote the safety and wellbeing of all workers in the industry.

In addition to the tragic human cost of the explosion, the resulting oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico continues to pollute and degrade the vital ecosystems in the Gulf and the surrounding coastal regions. We are only beginning to feel the massive environmental toll of the spill, which is likely to devastate an environment that is the backbone of the South Louisiana economy and on which thousands of individuals depend for their livelihood. We must stand in solidarity with the people of the Gulf Coast region. We must work to limit the impact of the spill, clean up the damage that has already been done, and hold the responsibile parties accountable. The costal environment and culture of south Louisiana are national treasures. We must work day and night to ensure that the damage endured is not irreparable.

Again, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of the individuals who were tragically killed in the explosion. The thoughts of our Nation are with them as they grieve the

loss of their loved ones. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1347.