[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 27, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 2009

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would have voted ``Aye'' on 
both H. Res. 31 expressing support for the designation of a National 
Data Privacy Awareness Day, and H. Res. 84, honoring the heroic action 
of the individuals involved with the rescue effort of U.S. Airways 
Flight 1549.
  Our office holds a twice yearly event, the Paying for College 
Workshop, to provide high school seniors and their parents options for 
financing a college education. We invite the Sallie Mae Foundation to 
join us and they have given out dozens of scholarships over the years. 
Last night we had over 200 people attend the Workshop at Milby High 
School in our district, and Sallie Mae provided a $500 scholarship. We 
had to schedule the event before the 2009 voting schedule was finalized 
and for that reason I was not able to be in Washington for the two 
votes last night.
  I would have supported both resolutions that were voted on last 
night, and was a cosponsor of H. Res. 31. People are increasingly using 
electronic communications in all walks of life--from social networking 
to e-commerce, more and more personal information is being compiled by 
online sites. While we have realized incredible efficiencies and other 
benefits from new electronic technologies, those technologies have also 
raised significant challenges for protecting the privacy of personal 
and proprietary information. H. Res. 31 would designate January 28 as 
National Data Privacy Day to raise awareness and educate people on safe 
practices when submitting personal information online.

                          ____________________