Timothy V. Johnson

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 I had a previous engagement that necessitated my involvement. I was speaking to students from Lakeland College during one of their American Government Classes. The Professor's name is Shane Roger and his class was American National Government. I missed procedural votes on the following votes--S. Con. Res. 50, which is a concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding actions to preserve and advance the multi-stakeholder governance model under which the Internet has thrived; H.R. 6602, which would make revisions in title 36, United States Code, as necessary to keep the title current and make technical corrections and improvements; and finally on S. 2367 the 21st Century Language Act of 2012, which removes references to the word ``lunatic'' from rules of construction of the U.S. Code and banking law provisions concerning: (1) trust powers of banks, and (2) bank consolidations and mergers.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on the above stated bills.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 I had a meeting with my constituents from Shelby, Douglas and Cole counties in Illinois and I missed procedural votes on approving the Journal and motion to adjourn. I also missed one Suspension vote on H.R. 6582, which would allow for innovations and alternative technologies that meet or exceed desired energy efficiency goals, and to make technical corrections to existing Federal energy efficiency laws to allow

American manufacturers to remain competitive.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on the above stated votes.

Twelve years ago, I took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. I am here today to urge my colleagues to uphold our Second Amendment right to bear arms.

Congress has to put aside partisan differences and act to uphold a citizen's right to bear arms in every State in the Union. Unfortunately, in my home State, residents are denied the ability to carry firearms even though the residents of every other State in the Union are allowed to protect themselves and their property. The Second Amendment is clear and concise, and it was meant to protect all residents no matter where they live.

I urge Congress and the States to uphold this fundamental and basic right.