Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, unfortunately last night, September 17, 2007, I was unable to cast my votes on H.R. 3246, H.R. 1657, and H.R. 3527.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 867 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 3246, the Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development Act of 2007, I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 868 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 1657, to establish a Science and Technology Scholarship Program to award scholarships to recruit and prepare students for careers in the National Weather Service and in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration marine research, atmospheric research, and satellite programs, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 869 on H.R. 3527, to extend for two months the authorities of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, unfortunately last night, September 4, 2007, I was unable to cast my votes on H.R. 694, H.R. 3020, and the Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 2669 and wish the record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 847 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 694, the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act, I would have voted ``aye''.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 848 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 3020, the Microloan Amendments and Modernization Act, I would have voted ``aye''.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 849 on the Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007, I would have voted ``aye''.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately yesterday, July 30, 2007, I was unable to cast my votes on H.R. 2750, ordering the previous question on H. Res. 580, H. Res. 580, ordering the previous question on H. Res. 579, and H. Res. 579 and wish the Record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 758 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 2570, the NASA 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 759 on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 580, providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 986, to designate the Eightmile River in the State of Connecticut, I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 760 on passing H. Res. 580, providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 986, to designate the Eightmile River in the State of Connecticut, I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 761 on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 579, providing for consideration of the bill, H.R. 2831, to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the American With Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision, I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 762 on passing H. Res. 579, providing for consideration of the bill, H.R. 2831, to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the American With Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately this morning, July 31, 2007, I was unable to cast my votes on S. 1, H.R. 180, and H.R. 2347 and wish the Record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 763 on suspending the rules and passing S. 1, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 764 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 180, the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 765 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 2347, the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, unfortunately yesterday, July 23, 2007, I was unable to cast my votes on H.R. 404, H. Res. 553, H. Res. 519, and the Previous Question on H. Res. 558 and wish the record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 687 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 404, the Federal Customer Service Enhancement Act, I would have voted ``yea.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 688 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 553, Mourning the passing of Lady Bird Johnson, I would have voted ``yea.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 689 on suspending the rules and passing H. Res. 519, Honoring the life and accomplishments of Tom Lea on the 100th anniversary of his birth, I would have voted ``yea.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 690 on Ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 558, providing for consideration of H.R. 3074, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies, FY 2008, I would have voted ``nay.''

Madam Speaker, today I stand before you to honor a fallen hero, Tommy ``T.K.'' Martin. Tommy, who served as the Douglas County Sheriff Department's chief deputy, was shot in the line of duty last month while pursuing two men wanted for armed robbery. After a valiant month-long struggle, Tommy passed away early last week at the age of 59.

Our entire Nation is indebted to T.K. for his life-long dedication to his community and his country. He proudly served as a member of the Navy during the Vietnam War. After a committed tenure as a naval officer, he began his career with the Illinois State Police in 1978 and remained an important member of the crime scene investigation unit until his retirement in 2002. However, when he was offered the position of chief deputy in 2004, T.K. came out of retirement, as he could not resist the opportunity to continue his life of public service.

Last Tuesday, we lost an exceptional and venerable civil servant who was a role model for all law-enforcement officers with whom he interacted during his decades on the police force. T.K. put his life on the line each and every day to ensure the safety of the citizens of the 15th District of Illinois, and for that we will be forever grateful.

While T.K. was tragically taken from us all too early, his mark on our community and our Nation will continue for years to come. His colleagues and fellow citizens will never forget his work ethic, loyalty, devotion to God, and infectious sense of humor. Whether it was working in the CSI unit or participating in events at his beloved Tuscola United Church of Christ, T.K. touched all of those he came in contact with. He died doing what he loved most: protecting his community.

T.K., a grateful Nation thanks you for a life-time of noble service. You are a hero and role model for all Americans. You will be sorely missed but your spirit will always remain with us.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately yesterday, July 16, 2007, I was unable to cast my votes on H.R. 1980, H.R. 1982, and

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately this morning I was unable to cast my votes on H.R. 980, H. Res. 547, and the Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 1 and wish the Record to reflect my intentions had I been able to vote.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 633 on suspending the rules and passing H.R. 980, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, I would have voted ``yea.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 634 on passing H. Res. 547, the rule providing for consideration of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations for FY 2008, I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 635 on the Motion to Instruct Conferees to H.R. 1, the Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 549 had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, today, I come before you to honor Rick Sparrow for his decades of service to the 15th District of Illinois. Next fall will be the first time in over 30 years that Rick will not grace the basketball courts of East-Central Illinois. While the residents of Fisher, Illinois will always remember him as ``Coach Sparrow,'' Rick actually began his basketball career as a youth referee. Due to his love of the game of basketball and his commitment to the children of Fisher, Rick spent nearly 12 years as an official, refereeing hundreds of games. Even with the demands of his job as a manager with FritoLay and responsibilities as a loving husband, father and grandfather, Rick then decided to make the move to the sidelines as a youth coach where he remained for the past 18 years.

Coach Sparrow will be remembered for his dedication, loyalty, passion and friendship. While he always pushed his players to the limit on the basketball court, he did so with respect, warmth and kindness. Rick treated every player as if he was his own child, and kept strong ties with his former players long after their playing careers were over. In fact, four of his twelve current warehouse employees at FritoLay are former Fisher Bunnies.

Rick's unheralded success as both an assistant and head coach is undoubtedly a product of the relationships he formed with each player he coached. In 1996, Coach Sparrow was named the IHSA Junior High District Coach of the year. In the 90's, he coached his junior high teams to six consecutive IESA state tournaments. And just this last year, Rick was a member of the coaching staff that led St. Joseph-Ogden High School to the super-sectional finals of the Illinois High School Association basketball tournament.

Now that the Coach has graced the sidelines for the last time, there will be more time to enjoy time and activities with his beloved wife, children and grandchildren. While he may not be in the gym next fall, the impact he has made on the Fisher community will continue for years to come.

Coach, the 15th District thanks you for your 30 years of service and your commitment to our community's student-athletes. You have enriched the lives of your players and their families.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately yesterday, June 11, 2007, I was unable to cast my votes on the following bills.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 448 on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2356, to encourage the display of the flag of the United States on Father's Day, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 449 on the motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 676, to provide that the Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank or the Alternate Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank may serve on the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 450 on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 418, recognizing and welcoming the delegation of Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Foreign Ministers from the Caribbean to Washington, DC, and commending the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for holding the Conference on the Caribbean, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 386 I was inadvertently detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

(By unanimous consent, Mr. Boren was allowed to speak out of order.)

Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Shootout

Madam Speaker, May 17, 2007, I was unable to cast my votes on the following amendments to H.R. 1427.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 378 on the amendment offered by Rep. Bachus, I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 379 on the amendment offered by Rep. Hensarling, I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 380 on the amendment offered by Rep. McHenry, I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 381 on the amendment offered by Rep. Kanjorski, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 382 on the amendment offered by Rep. Roskam, I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 383 on the amendment offered by Rep. Garrett, I would have voted ``nay.''

Madam Speaker, unfortunately yesterday, May 14, 2007, I was unable to cast my votes on H.R. 1124, H. Res. 223, and H. Res. 385.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 342 on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1124, to extend the District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 343 on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 223, supporting the goals and ideals of a National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 344 on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 385, recognizing National Americorps Week, I would have voted ``aye.''

I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Shuler