[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 8, 2013)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1453] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON. LUIS V. GUTIERREZ of illinois in the house of representatives Tuesday, October 8, 2013 Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably absent in the House chamber for votes yesterday. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall vote 527 and ``nay'' on rollcall vote 528, final passage of H.J. Res. 77, the Food and Drug Safety Act. The Republican piecemeal bills to fund only select governmental entities leave the American public without the critical services in food safety, public health, and consumer protections. This bill fails to fund the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Federal Trade Commission, which work alongside the Food and Drug Administration to ensure food safety and public health. However, I stand ready to vote for a clean continuing resolution to end the Republican Shutdown and fund the entire federal government. ____________________