[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 21725-21726] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of california in the house of representatives Friday, September 29, 2006 Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, on May 22, 2006 I missed rollcall vote No. 178 on the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (H.R. 3858). Had I been present, I would have voted in favor of this legislation that requires local and state authorities to consider the needs of people with pets and service animals in disaster [[Page 21726]] planning. Hurricane Katrina taught our Nation many difficult lessons about preparing for a disaster. We now know that many evacuees, who were fleeing the area, were forced to abandon their animals. This bill works to correct these problems by requiring all federal evacuation plans to protect pets. I know how important a role pets play in the lives of many people, and therefore am proud to be both a co-sponsor and full supporter of this legislation. ____________________