Mac Collins

Mr. Speaker, had I been present for rollcall vote No. 537, I would have voted the following:

Rollcall vote No. 537: ``Yea''. (Reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).

Mr. Speaker, had I been present for rollcall votes 538, 539, 540, 541, and 542, I would have voted the following:

Rollcall No. 538: ``Yea.'' (Waiving the requirement of clause 6(a) or Rule XIII with respect to the same day consideration of certain resolution).

Rollcall No. 539: ``Yea.'' (Recognizing the Boy Scouts of America).

Rollcall No. 540: ``Yea.'' (Waiving points of order against the conference report to accompany the Omnibus Spending Bill).

Rollcall No. 541: ``Yea.'' (Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act).

Rollcall No. 542: ``Yea.'' (On Agreeing to the Conference Report-- Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2005--Omnibus Appropriations Bill).

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I recognize the achievements of four outstanding young men from Griffin, Georgia: Garrett Kent, Brannan Smith, Nicholas Manley, and Will Watts of Griffin Christian Academy. These young men recently visited our Nation's Capital while working on their Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge for the Boy Scouts. During their trip they studied the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Federal Government. They learned about our system of checks and balances and how our government is financed. In addition, each of these Scouts wrote to me to share their views on important national issues.

I am proud that these young men are learning about our government and the freedoms and principles on which our Nation was founded. I think we can all learn from the example of Garrett, Brannan, Nicholas and Will, and remember to learn about the great history of our Nation. I encourage everyone to read the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, or to come to the United States Capitol and walk through its storied halls. All Americans should be active citizens and be conscious of this magnificent creation, and our duty to serve it well. May God bless this great Nation.