Raising a question of the privileges of the House.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Korean-American Day, which was celebrated yesterday. Korean Americans have played an essential part in shaping our country into its current form. Ever since the signing of the first treaty between the United States and Korea, the Jemulpo Treaty in 1882, our two countries have engaged in an important relationship. In addition, Korean Americans have helped shape the United States into a powerful and influential Nation.

The history of Koreans in America is a proud one. When Koreans first started immigrating to the United States, they worked in places such as farms and railroads. These were hard workers who came to this country to seek new opportunities and a better life for their children. At that time, they could not have imagined the amount of success Korean Americans would enjoy over time--nor how large their community would become. After years of steady immigration, which blossomed in the 1960's, Korean Americans became one of the top 5 immigrant groups to the United States. Today, there are about 1.5 million Korean Americans living across the country.

In the past Congress, we passed several pieces of legislation to strengthen the U.S.-Korean relationship. The first was H.R. 5443, the U.S.-Republic of Korea Defense Cooperation Improvement Act, which granted South Korea the same preferential treatment enjoyed by members of NATO. Another important bill passed in the 110th Congress was H. Res. 295. This legislation expressed appreciation to the Republic of Korea for its contributions to international efforts to combat terrorism. A final, integral bill was H.R. 1, which supported efforts to include South Korea in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.

As we move forward in the 111th Congress, I trust that we will keep the Korean-American community in mind. Korean Americans play an important role in shaping American culture and Korean-American Day is a celebration that I am proud to recognize.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately last night, April 27, 2009, I was unable to cast my votes on H. Res. 329, H.R. 1746, and H. Res. 335 and wish the Record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 207, on suspending the Rules and passing H. Res. 295, Recognizing the anniversary of the tragic accident of the steamboat ship SS Sultana, I would have voted ``yea.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 208, on suspending the Rules and passing H.R. 1746, the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Act of 2009, I would have voted ``yea.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 209, on suspending the Rules and passing H. Res. 335, Supporting the goals and ideals of National Volunteer Week, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, on March 30, 2009, I was unable to cast my votes on the Motion to Table H. Res. 295, H.R. 20, and H.R. 479 and wish the record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 163, on the Motion to Table H. Res. 295, Raising a question of the privileges of the House, I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 164, on suspending the Rules and passing H.R. 20, the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, I would have voted ``yea.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 165, on suspending the Rules and passing H.R. 479, the Wakefield Act, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, unfortunately I missed recorded votes on the House floor on Monday, March 30, 2009. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Present'' on rollcall vote No. 163 (on motion to table H. Res. 295), ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 164 (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H.R. 20), ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 165 (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H.R. 479).

Mr. Speaker, I rise to a question of the privileges of the House and offer the resolution previously noticed.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.