[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 118 (Monday, July 23, 2007)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1593] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON. CORRINE BROWN of florida in the house of representatives Monday, July 23, 2007 Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, due to the tragic death of my grandmother, Sarah ``Big Mamma'' Morris, I was unable to vote during the week of July 16-July 20. Had I been present I would have voted in favor of the Labor-HHS- Education Appropriations bill. The new Democratic-led Congress is determined to reverse the Republican pattern of disinvestment. Democrats have produced a bill that makes college more affordable, helps raise the achievement levels of America's students, expands access to health care for the uninsured and invests in the skills of America's workers and in community services. In addition, I would have voted against the Kline amendment to the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill. This amendment is another Republican farse designed to hurt those who need help most. The Kline amendment would increase funds to the Office of Labor Management Standards, an office that has enjoyed 33 percent increase in resources over the past four years and sacrifice funding to the International Labor Affairs Bureau. This bureau oversees child labor standards abroad to make sure that other countries are not using children to undercut American manufacturing. The sponsor claims that it will help rank and file workers from so-called union abuses, but in reality, those who support this amendment are the same opponents of a minimum wage increase. This amendment does not protect the American worker and I would have voted ``no''. I would have also been a part of the 310 votes for the Energy and Water Appropriations bill. The bipartisan Energy and Water bill invests $3 billion--$1 billion more than the President's request--to research global warming and work on new technologies and renewable energy. I hope that it's sister bill, the Water Resources Development Act Reauthorization, will soon become law so that we can continue to improve the water infrastructure in this nation. ____________________