macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-09-10
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker. I think it is very appropriate that the Texas delegation is united behind this resolution. The gentleman from Texas brought it forward. I recall I have had the privilege of meeting Rafael Palmeiro. He is an extraordinary human being. a man of great decency. He had made it clear. by the way. that when he was playing up here. in a team near here. that he wanted to return to Texas because he is a proud Texan and he loves that State very much and its people. So that is why I think it is important for the Texas Delegation to be leading this effort today. and it is the right thing to do for this Congress to honor this man. He is not only an extraordinary athlete but. as I said before. a very decent human being. A loving family man. he is extremely generous with his family. compassionate. as he is with his community. He is also a patriot and that is another reason why I admire him so much. I know of his love for freedom. For example. he refused to go back to Cuba. He says he will not do it as long as the dictatorship is in power. As a matter of fact. when he was playing for the Orioles here and the owner of that team was recruited by this campaign that wants to open relations with Castro and help the dictatorship and the team was sent to Cuba. he refused. Rafael Palmeiro. So he stands up for his principles. He is a man of principle. a man of decency. He has a wonderful family and he helps his community in Texas in an extraordinary fashion. So for so many reasons we are very. very proud of him. Obviously. the entire island of Cuba looks to him as an idol. but really the entire American nation also. This great United States of America admires him because of his extraordinary accomplishments. And so to that human being. we. the Congress of the United States. today sends not only our esteem but our admiration. Again. I thank the gentleman from Texas and the Texas delegation who have brought forward this resolution for doing so. It is a privilege for me to be able to stand today on behalf of this resolution honoring this great man and extraordinary athlete. Rafael Palmeiro.
Date: 2003-09-10
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Chairman. I am opposed to this amendment for a couple of reasons. I too serve on the Committee on Financial Services where this amendment was defeated by a two to one margin. The Maloney compromise amendment which came up seemed reasonable. It does give disclosure. and I think that that certainly is a good warning to the consumer. Mr. Chairman. one of the previous speakers mentioned a dispute. if you are disputing an item on your credit card statement. that is something that is put into abeyance. so that would not affect your credit rating. If we were to pass this amendment. I believe that all Septeinber 10. 2003 consumers would be harmed. because there would be higher costs of credit nationwide. When a credit card is issued. it is based upon a snapshot in time. As the picture changes. obviously. we need to have the. companies remain to have that kind of flexibility that they have right now. This is really an issue of credit risk and creditworthiness: and as various occasions arise in ones life that they may be overextending themselves. then certainly the credit card company deserves to have the right to make those appropriate changes.
Date: 2003-09-10
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Chairman. serving on the Committee on Financial Services has been a challenge at times and certainly a great pleasure. And I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxbi i) for his leadership in championing the bill that we have before us. The Kelly amendment. I believe. is a very worthwhile amendment. As free credit reports are extended to consumers. there will be an unquestionable strain on the system. Unfortunately. the system is not yet equipped to deal with the overwhelming requests for credit reports. It may result from offering free credit reports or other extraordinary events that may occur as people begin to request these free credit reports and overload the system. Consumers who have identified the need to access their file will find their requests lost in an overburdened system. That will reduce service levels that could be dedicated to truly helping consumers who do have a concern about their files. Yes. there is language in the managers amendment that directs regulators as they construct a system for implementation to consider potential spikes in the volume of requests for their first year of implementation. The Kelly amendment. I believe. builds on this language and simply gives regulators the authority to respond on a temporary basis to the needs of consumers when credit bureaus are overwhelmed with requests. If the regulators determine it is necessary to exercise this authority. the amendment also explicitly states that their temporary approach must maintain consumer access to credit reports for emergency or very timesensitive requests. including instances of home purchases and suspected identity theft. Without this flexibility that this amendment offers. customer services will undoubtedly decline as credit bureaus become overwhelmed with these requests. By giving regulators the authority to mitigate in these instances. credit bureaus will be able to devote better time and attention to those needing the requests.
Date: 2003-09-17
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. our Korean war commemoration. which began on June 25. 2000. on the 50th anniversary of the Invasion of South Korea. continues through Veterans Day this year. This past July 27th held special significance because it marked the 50th anniversary of the Korean war armistice. Begun only 5 years after the end of Worid War II. the Korean war was. in many ways. the first reminder that America must remain the worlds leading force for peace. prosperity and freedoma responsibility we still hold today. Called to fight back the brutal forces of communism. 1.8 million Americans courageously participated in the Korean war. The United States suffered over 36.000 dead and over 100.000 wounded In some of the most horrific conditions in the history of warfare. And even today there are still over 8.000 unaccounted for. The service and sacrifices of our Korean war veterans 50 years ago saved a nation from Communist enslavement and gave South Korea the opportunity to develop and flourish under freedom and democracy. Sadly. the Korean war Is sometimes referred to as the "forgotten war." Perhaps it was the mood of a nation wanting to return to peace after the Second World War. But for the U.S. men and women who served. and for the families and friends of those who paid the ultimate price. the Korean war can never be forgotten. By adding the Korean war veterans Armistice Day. July 27. to the list of days on which the United States Flag should be displayed. this Congress is sending a message. loud and clear. that "we will never forget." All Americans must know. as the words etched on the Korean War Memorial reminds us. that "freedom is not free." It cannot be taken for granted. Should this great country wish to preserve its freedom. we must pay tribute to those who paid the price for it. Korean war veterans. I salute you.
Date: 2003-09-17
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Becerra . Bell Speaker. I yield myself such time as I Berkley may consume. Berman It is impossible for me to figure out Bishop (GA) why we need an amendment when this Bishop (NY) Blunenauer bill passed tile Committee on Ways and Boswell Means unanimously. Our countrys Boucher charities are facing a crunch. This bill Boyd Brady (PA) is targeted for all charities. So it does Brown (OH) not need amending. Tills is a tax cut Brown. Corrine with a punch and it will spur invest- Capps ment in organizations that make a dif- capuano Cardin ference in tile places we live and work. Cardoza Tie basic bill is what we should vote Calson (IN) for. not the amendment. carson (OK) Mr. Speaker. I yield such time as he case Castle may consume to the gentleman from clay Missouri . Clyburn
Date: 2003-09-17
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. 1 yield myself such time as I may consume I cannot believe we are arguing over this because there are some misnomers here. I think. When they come up with this motion to instruct. we are asking to accept the Senates position on a governmentrun prescription drug delivery structure. and the CBO has estimated that that governmentrun provision will lead to higher prices for beneficiaries and taxpayers In over $8 billion In higher costs. That is a giveaway to the pharmaceutical industry. This talk about seniors not having a benefit in rural areas is just not right. Both CBO and CMS agree that numerous drug plans will be available and more than 95 percent of the beneficiaries will voluntarily sign up for the benefit. These nonpartisan actuaries have no axe to grind and are in agreement on that point. Furthermore. any action to approve the other bodys position provides unprecedented inflationary increases to hospitals and other health care providers which will force the conference. as my colleague has said. to exceed the $400 billion allocation in the budget resolution. thereby jeopardizing the whole program. It will also undo bicameral. bipartisan decisions that conferees have already resolved. The motion is completely unnecessary because both bills already require prescription drug plans to assume financial risk in delivering prescription benefits to provide a fallback to guarantee all seniors have access to prescription drug plans. It does not matter whether they live in a city or in a country. Both CBO and CMS. as I said. agree that more than 95 percent of beneficiaries will voluntarily sign up. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2003-09-17
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I am kind of getting worried about us wanting to spend more money. It seems like every time I turn around. we do that. This particular proposal spends more money. In fact. I think my colleagues forget o-.r there that we put in $27 billion extra for rural. .Just for rural. and if you look at some of the statistics. Iowa. for instance. has a 5.5 percent increase and plusup on Medicaid. I think Iowa is rural. Oklahoma has a 5.7 percent increase and a 5.9 percent increase on Medicaid. I think that is rural. for the most part. As I go through these notes. it seems to me that the States that you call rural and are not getting anything. they are getting more. Montana gets a 5.7 increase. It is impossible for me to figure out why you think the rural areas are getting stiffed. South Dakota. 5.4 percent increase. Tennessee. 5.3 percent. and so on. I can go on and on. But the thing is that the Senate provision. or the provision. that you are trying to affirm results in higher costs. and it is a complete and utter giveaway. I think that it is time that we got a little bit of fiscal responsibility in this House and stopped spending money. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2003-09-17
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I will tell you what: let us correct the record. You did get a market basket adjustment of minus 0.4 percent. but the number I quoted you was the number at the end. which was a 5.5 percent increase. That is 2.1 percent more than current law. That does not count the 5.5 percent increase in additional allotments for Medicaid. Iowa is not being mistreated. When I hear talk about let us treat everybody equal. I think of Canada and their socialist program of medicine. which has not worked. and that is why Canadians come down here for medicine. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2003-09-17
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. Tennessee is kind of an interesting State. because they get a 5.3 percent increase: and it does not include six Tennessee critical access hospitals which are rural which are paid exactly what their costs are. Now. this bill is allencompassing. It takes care of people. It does not let people die. and it does not spend the Treasury of the United States to zero. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2003-09-17
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. let me just make a couple of observations. The hospitals payments include some of the payments for beneficiaries. It is not just all hospital costs. I think that we have to consider the fact that the United States Senate. which according to what this proposal embodies. puts the government fully at risk. There is little incentive to control costs. and I think that the provisions have to lead to higher prices for beneficiaries and taxpayers. and it is a complete and utter giveaway. I think that we have to defeat this motion. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2003-09-17
Speaker: F RIST (republican)
Chamber: S

Let me make one further statement and I will be happy to yield. Committee hearing decisions are being made today by chairmen. Again. we are going to be conducting business on the Senate floor. A number of chairmen called and said: Should we go ahead and cancel our hearings and committee meetings? That is being left to their discretion. Individual officesI know a number are calling the Sergeant at Arms and calling our offices. We will stay In touch and we will come straight to the floor if there is any information in terms of safety that we know about as we go forward. These five judges are very important. I would add we have six judges who are also waiting. right now. whose nominations are ready to come to the floor and to be voted upon. I hope we can do that soon. I would like to be able. possibly. to do some of those on Monday. We have six more judges who are ready to go. I would be happy to yield for a question.
Date: 2003-09-23
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to urge the passage of S. 111. a bill to study the inclusion of the Miami Circle in the Biscayne National Park. This important archaeological site must be preserved for education and cultural benefit. Over 2.000 years ago. the Tequesta civilizations inhabited the Biscayne and Miami Circle areas in what is presentday Miami. Although at times numbering only 800 Inhabitants. the Tequesta were one of the largest South Florida civilizations. Their marine village consisted of a complex network of jobs. Including set tasks for fishing and gathering of food. As a result of disease and territory disputes. the Tequesta began to lose power and eventually all but disappear in the early 1800s. but their society remains a historical part of South Florida. While speculation continues on the use of the Miami Circle site. its archaeological importance is unquestioned. Many scholars believe that the site was used as a large astronomical tool or a center of culture in their society. On a national scale. the Miami Circle deserves preservation as the only cutinrock prehistoric footprint in the United States. While many of the smaller Tequesta sites are included in Biscayne Bay National park. this new site which is thought to house the bulk of the civilization remains an unprotected treasure. Mr. Speaker. S.111 is a good bill and one that will continue the efforts of this Congress to preserve our important historical places across the Nation. To study the Inclusion of the Miami Circle in the Biscayne National Park is a significant step towards our goals and I urge its passage.
Date: 2003-09-23
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr.- Speaker. todays Washington Waste Watch highlights the vast amount of waste. fraud. and abuse throughout the government purchase card and travel card programs. Mr. Speaker. such waste steals from the hardworking taxpayers in order to line the pockets of some career bureaucrats who seek to profit from the obviously broken system. Mr. Speaker. Americans should and would be outraged at the consistent abuse of their tax dollars within the purchase card and travel card program. These cards are paid for by the taxpayers. and they are supposed to be used. obviously. for official government business. However. Mr. Speaker. I think taxpayers would be horrified and outraged of the fact that these cards have purchased. among other things. Elvis Presley pictures. vacations and cruises. designer leather goods. Internet pornography. power tools and toys. music. designer clothing. luggage. fine china. jewelry. escort services. electronics. and televisions and even a pet dog. And yet our friends on the other side of the aisle. the Democrats. insist still on sometimes introducing bills to raise taxes to do more of this. Mr. Speaker? If this abuse. Mr. Speaker. happened within the private sector. these individuals would clearly get thrown out of their jobs and in many cases would be turned over to law enforcement agencies. But when it is the taxpayers who are paying for it. when it is the taxpayers who are footing the bill. these people do not lose their Jobs. They just stay in their careers. Many times they get their annual pay increases. Very few of these employees. Mr. Speaker. are ever appropriately disciplined for this improper use of purchase cards and travel cards. Therefore. Mr. Speaker. I will introduce the Purchase Card and Travel Card Accountability Act of 2003. which will create a uniform system of accountability for all Federal agencies. This system will include repayment to the Federal agencies by those who have used those cards incorrectly. It would also. furthermore. ask the inspector general to report regularly to Congress dn disciplinary actions taken against employees for abuse of purchase cards and travel cards. and. yes. it will also create a uniform system of accountability for all Federal agencies. which will include termination. Only. Mr. Speaker. in the Federal Government. a place where billions of dollars. billions of dollars. are just lost every year. can people go shopping with a card that the taxpayer pays for on things. as I said. for china and designer leather products. $163.000. for example. worth of designer leather goods and a billiard table. and nothing happens. And. again. the Democrats want to raise taxes to do more of this? Mr. Speaker. for too long the bureaucracy have been given free rein to do what they want with taxpayers money with no accountability. That Is why we are filing this bill. Mr. Speaker. Purchase cards provide a great avenue to continue this waste. The American taxpayers deserve better. They should not support irresponsible spendIng. They do not support it.
Date: 2003-09-24
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. as I am sure you know by now. last week the war in Iraq was called "a fraud made up in Texas to give Republicans a political boost." I am sure that our military. who are putting their lives on the line for this war. do not appreciate this characterization of their mission. Yesterday I visited Walter Reed Hospital. I spoke with our military who were wounded and with their family members. To a person. they support what we are doing in Iraq. They firmly believe that it is in the benefit of not only this country. but certainly the Iraqi people. However. we should be outraged at what was said. We should be outraged that the statements were based not on facts. but on disinformation. Mr. Speaker. misinformation is mistaken information. However. disinformation is just plain lying. and that is a shame. It is for this reason that I stand before this body to condemn these outrageous statements. They remind us all of the value that some people in this country place on political gain and the lengths that they are willing to go to to achieve it.
Date: 2003-09-24
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. by direction of the Committee on Rules. I call up House Resolution 374 and ask for its immediate consideration.
Date: 2003-09-24
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. for the purpose of debate only. I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York . pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution. all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.
Date: 2003-09-24
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I am very proud of the fact that all of the appropriations bills. all 13. have been promptly completed by this House. And I think that it stands as a testament to the hard work of the leadership of this House and especially of that very hardworking Committee on Appropriations under the leadership of Chairman YOUNG and the subcommittee chairs. We obviously can. working hard. fulfill our responsibilities as the Committee on Appropriations has done in this House. We do not control the other House. We wish that they would also complete their work in a timely fashion as this House has. Now. this is the first appropriations bill that is finalized in the sense of a conference. the final product. We are looking forward to many others being able to be sent shortly to the President for his signature. But I feel very proud of the work of this House and especially the Committee on Appropriations. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2003-09-24
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky . the chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security of the Committee on Appropriations. who along with the rest of the subcommittee has been working long and hard. and not with empty shoeboxes but for the security of the American people. actually getting things done.
Date: 2003-09-24
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. This has been an interesting debate. I feel very proud of the work that the gentleman from Kentucky and his subcommittee have done in bringing forth this legislation. which is not only the first appropriation bill that is being sent to the President but one could say certainly one of the most important. if not the most important one. Many important programs are funded. I happen to have followed. and feel very strongly. for example. that the funding in this bill and the oversight that Chairman ROGERS Is providing to make sure that the goal that President Bush has set for immigrants in this country who are seeking the great honor of American citizenship is met. that there be no more than a 6month period bgtw - - it time of application and sweatinw In "i-. immigrants in this great land. We are going to follow up with oversight to make sure that that goal of President Bush and Director Aguirre is met. It is funded in this legislation. Many important security initiatives are also funded. Chairman ROGERS has stated. and I think it is important to reiterate that the Secretary of the Department has been instructed to forthwith devise and implement a system for the screening of all cargo. So in addition to the very important existing programs that have been improved and their funding has been increased to assure the security of the American people today. this legislation calls for the development forthwith of a program to screen all cargo. I thank Chairman ROGERS and his committee for that work as well. So this is very important legislation that is brought forth today with this rule. Madam Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time. and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.