macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-09-13
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. if the gentleman will yield. when the Republicans took over in 1994. I will never forget that they tried to take his picture down out of the room. someone who served this institution. this country. and dearly beloved. I participated in a march to that room to make sure that we reinstated Claude Peppers position. because he deserved to have his picture in that Committee on Rules room. I have to tell the gentleman. I remember him at the conventions and his liveliness and how he fought so hard for seniors in this country. And now this administration. with their lies and misleading people aboht this Medicare bill. this bill that prohibits the Secretary from negotiating the price of the drugs. We on the Committee on Veterans Affairs. along with the Department of Defense. insist. insist that they negotiate the price of the drugs so we can keep the costs down for our veterans. for our people. military families. No one can explain it. There is no discussion. When we raise that issue. they give us a blank stare. because the pharmaceuticals wrote those provisions. What has happened here. the fox has moved into the House of Representatives. into the peoples House. We see it with this Medicare bill. We see it on environmental issues. We see it over and over again. If this administration. and I do want to talk about Medicare. but if this administration that totally runs this House of Representatives. totally controls the agenda of the House of Representatives wanted an assault ban. it would have been on the floor and it would have been passed. They control. We cannothave a hearing. We talk about homeland security. We cannot even have a hearing on railroad safety because the administration will not sanction it. I have never seen anything like it. I have been elected to the House of Representatives for 12 years. I have been an elected official for 23 years. and I have never. seen such disrespect for the House of Representatives. for the peoples House. I take it very seriously. because I was one of the first African Americans elected to Congress from Florida in 129 years. I take my job very seriously. And it is just. it saddens me to no end to see how the administration. which is a separate branch of government. runs the peoples House. the House of Representatives. It is a disgrace. Now. would the gentleman please tell me about the Medicare and what can we do so that my grandmother. who does not have an additional $78. $80. I know to these bigtimers. that is nothing. But the seniors who are living on a fixed income. that is deciding whether to buy their medicine or buy food. They are going to raise the costs. and where is the money going? It is going to the HMOs and the pharmaceuticals. It is criminal.
Date: 2004-09-13
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

We can play politics on some things. but in an area like this. it should not be any politics played.
Date: 2004-09-13
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I just want to say that the Republican Party. with the direction. because he definitely gives direction to this House. they do not do anything without his direction. he has done more to destroy Medicare. What the Republicans have been trying to do for 35 years. that is just where we are now. They want to bloat the bill so that next they cannot afford it. and next on the agenda will be Social Security. Coming from Florida. next will be Social.Security. and he wants to gamble with Social Security. This administration wants to kill the New Deal. Let us just face it. They want to kill public education with all of their gimmicks. I said they practice what I call reverse Robin Hood. When I was growing up. I loved that program. Robin Hood. This administration practices what I call reverse Robin Hood. Robbing from the poor and working people. poor and working people. to give tax breaks to the rich. to the top 2 percent. and it just amazes me how they say on6 thing and do another. I must go to the assault weapons. The President said. I understand. and it is amazing they were able to pin him down that he said anything. but he said during 1999. because during the debates he never answered one qaiestion. I am hoping that the media insists that he answer some questions during the debate because he never answered any. They said he looked comfortable and looked like he could prop his feet up Sipteimber 13. 2004 but never did he answer a question. So to say that h6.actually committed one thing that he would support the assault weapons ban. to continue the ban. well. then he says. well. if it is put on his. desk. I guess you say that and then someone said whatever you do. do not pass that bill. do not even bring it up for a vote on the House of Representatives floor. not even in the peoples House. when the majority of the American people support it. Why can we not have a vote on this floor to send a message where we stand as elected officials on this particular bill? But if the President wants it. I can rest assured and you can rest assured that the American people. we would have that ban.
Date: 2004-09-13
Speaker: CORINNE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

My comment that night was a snake is a snake. no matter what color it is. and the AARP are getting in bed with a snake. the Republican Party. on this issue. I said it and I stand by it. Now I understand that the AARP is asking for some changes. My constituents constantly call me about AARP and I tell them my position. I have always supported them because they were an advocate for the seniors. but on this issue they really deserted the seniors.
Date: 2004-09-13
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

The President indicated from the beginning that they would be able to pay for the expenses. They have one of the largest oil reserves in the world. But then the President says. Well. we do not want to burden their people down with debt. But it is okay for the American people. our children and grandchildren. to pay this debt. And then they cut Social Security and Medicare and Housing and Veterans Affairs. This administration has already put out a memo that. If reelected. we will cut all domestic programs. all domestic budgets. So it is okay for the American people to carry this burden. but yet. why are we saving the oil reserves? Why is it that part of it. a portion of it. cannot be a loan to these people? It is just amazing to me. Mr. Speaker. when the gentleman talks about teachers. when I go to the Dollar Store. they are in there buying supplies themselves. the teachers. because the schools cannot afford it. particularly with this new provision of Leave No Child Behind. It is a real crunch to the school systems throughout. I know. Florida. in talking to the superintendents. where we put in these additional standards. standards are wonderful. but once we find out that a kid has a deficiency. what are they going to do about it? We did not put the money there to follow the standards. In other words. it is what they call an unfunded mandate. Does the gentleman know about unfunded mandates?
Date: 2004-09-13
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Just one thing. if the gentleman will continue to yield. We constantly try to bring up an extension on the unemployment. This is money that people have actually paid into it. But this administration and the House refuses. Because of what reason? Because I am not quite sure. They do not want the public to know how many people are unemployed? What is it?
Date: 2004-09-13
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Well. Mr. Speaker. this whole question of outsourcing and then this administration talking about the jobs they have created. they are lowpaying service jobs. And most people are happy to have a job. but we have lost the best jobs. And this administration refuses to do training programs. or they cut those programs. educational programs. The 9/11 Commission was talking about the recommendations. and I was listening to them. And. they were talking about the young people in Iraq. and they did not have jobs or training. And I said to myself. We have that same problem right here in the United States. We have that same problem right here in the United States. And so while we are addressing other areas. other countries. Iraq. their training and education. we need to be doing the same thing here with the people that are paying the bills. It is amazing.
Date: 2004-09-13
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his leadership day in and day out speaking to the American people. I hope this is a wakeup call because God knows. we need one. This administration talks the talk. but they do not walk the walk. As the veterans say. they do not rule the world. They talk about how much they care about veterans as they cut programs. There will be a cut in all programs under another 4 years of this administration. These people on the other side of the aisle really do believe in giving the moneys to their corporate friends. what I call reverse Robin Hood. robbing from the poor and working people. to give tax breaks to the rich. That is their agenda. and they push it through over and over again. I really hope the American people will give us some help in the next election.
Date: 2004-09-14
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. what were they thinking? The Republicans that control this House look at our economy and the job losses. the declining wages and rising cost of health care. and you know what they think the problem is? That the people are earning too much overtime pay. So they decided to cut it for 6 million American families. They look at jobs going overseas. and do you know what they think the problem is? They do not think there are enough jobs going overseas. so they continue to vote for tax credits to help companies send jobs overseas rather than create them at home. -And they look at crime in America. and do you know what they think the problem is? That there are not enough guns and assault weapons. on our streets. so they let the assault weapons ban expire and want to end the gun ban in the District of Columbia. They look at the cost of pharmaceuticals. and they decide that they are not as expensive as the senior citizens in this country find them. So they decide they are not going to let them go to Canada. They are not going to let them reimport drugs from overseas to cut the cost of drugs. Rather. they are going to prosecute them and the governments. cities and counties that are trying to help those individuals have affordable drugs. They have lost their way.
Date: 2004-09-15
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. on Tuesday. September 14. 2004. I was granted an official leave of absence as a result of my illness. Therefore. I was unable to make rollcall votes 455 to 456. I ask unanimous consent.that my statement appear in the RECORD that had I been here. I would have voted "no" for rollcall No. 455. the Hefley Amendment. "yes" for rollcall No. 456. the Moran Amendment.
Date: 2004-09-21
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I yield myself the balance of my time. Let me just say that this amendment is not. with due deference to the subcommittee chairman. about whether competitive sourcing is a good idea or not. or whether we are going to continue to do competitive sourcing. We have. as a U.S. government. done that. we will continue to do that. and it is a good thing when it is done in a fair and balanced manner. That is what this amendment is about. I would ask the subcommittee chairman why he would object to a provision that says when we do competitive sourcing the contractor seeking the work has to show that they are going to save taxpayers money. That is one of the things this House has included in appropriation bills that have passed this year. so we can make sure the taxpayer gets a better deal. That is not part of the existing rules. I would ask the subcommittee chairman why the Committee on Appropriations in this House have already passed four different bills through this House this year. one signed by the President. that already changed the contractingout rules with respect to certain agencies to make the process more fair? That is what this amendment is about. This amendment is designed to make sure we have a more even playing field. that we are not here in Congress trying to correct the unfairnesses every year. but we send OMB back to the drawing board. have them use the old rules until they establish a new set of contractingout. competitivesource rules that are fair to Federal and Government employees. fair to contractors. and get a good deal for the taxpayer. Mr. Chairman. I urge adoption of the amendment.
Date: 2004-09-22
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts very much for the time. and I rise to speak in support of the amendment. It is really just a commonsense amendment that will uphold U.S. certification for trucks to improve safety. I do not think anybody can question my record on trade. Seventy percent of the economy in my district depends on trade. I voted for NAFTA. took a lot of heat for it. but knew it was the right thing to do at the time. However. if we insist on our trucks being certified for safety. we should insist on others. We have codesharing for our airlines. and a whole lot fewer people get killed in airplane crashes than on trucks. About 800 commercial drivers die each year in traffic crashes. and roughly 4.900 people die and 130.000 are injured from these large truck accidents. and a lot of them occur in my district. 135 from Canada to Mexico has most of it in Texas. and I can assure my colleagues that we see the crashes. We see the trucks that are not safe. and that is all we are asking for.
Date: 2004-09-22
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 488 and express my appreciation of the leadership -of the gentleman from Michigan and our ranking member. the gentleman from North Carolina for commending the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. known as NOAA. Indeed. we have profited from their skills. We commend both the agency and its employees for their hard work and dedication during these hurricanes. And also during the time of tornados in my area. we are getting the same type of alerts and notices and it really does save lives. We have not yet been able to save as much material damage and destruction as we have the lives. but the important thing is that we are saving lives. And as we begin to use more of our technology in building. we will see that even the material destruction will diminish. It underscores why we need to continue to support science and technology. to develop more skills for approaching and dealing with these types of catastrophes when they happen. Texas certainly has benefited from warnings during both hurricanes in the south end of the State and tornados in the north end of the State. And we are grateful -for the efficiency and dedication of these employees and are grateful for the existence of this agency that deserves continued support so that we can still benefit from our findings and for our future developments.
Date: 2004-09-22
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 3428. a bill to designate a portion of the Alexandria courthouse located at 2100 Jamieson Avenue as the Justin W. Williams United States Attorneys Building. The bill was introduced by our colleague. the gentleman from Virginia . and enjoys very strong bipartisan support. U.S. Attorney Justin Williams was an extraordinary public servant who served the citizens of Virginia for over 30 years. He received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University and -his law degree from the University of Virginia. During his 33 years as a Federal prosecutor. he supervised or was directly involved in every major Federal prosecution in the Eastern District of Virginia. His career is filled with numerous awards and honors. including the Attorney Generals Award for Excellence that is awarded for furthering the interest of national security. the Directors Award for Sustained Superior Performance in the years of 1990. 2000. and 2002. and Sustained Superior Performance for the years of 1990. 1991. 1997. 1998. and 1999. In addition to being an outstanding lawyer. Justin Williams was a thoughtful mentor. loyal friend. outstanding role model. devoted husband. and a loving father. It is most fitting that we honor the distinguished career of this dedicated public servant with this designation. 0l 1600 Mr. Speaker. I have no additional requests for time. and I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2004-09-22
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I might consume. H.R. 3734 is a bill to designate the Federal building in Roswell. New Mexico. as the Joe Skeen Federal Building. in honor of a former Member here. Congressman Joe Skeen. Congressman Skeen was born in Roswell. New Mexico. in 1927. and as a young man. he served a 1year enlistment in the Navy and served in the Air Force Reserves from 1949 to 1952. In 1950. he got his Texas marks by graduating from Texas A&M University. He was elected to Congress in 1980 as a writein candidate in the general election. He was only the third person in the Nations history to win a U.S. House seat through this type of effort. For more than 2 decades. he served the people of the 2nd district in New Mexico with distinction and devotion. and I had the pleasure of serving with him. As Congressman. he focused his energy and interests on agriculture. national defense. and public land management. In 1985. he became a member of the House Committee on Appropriations. and in 1995. he became Chair of the Committee on Appropriations. Subcommittee on Agriculture. Rural Development. Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies. At the beginning of the 107th Congress. he was named the Chair of the Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies. One of Congressman Skeens major legislative accomplishments was to en-. sure the opening of the waste isolation pilot plant. the Nations first repository for defenserelated waste. Concerned about the publics health and safety and the environment. Congressman Joe Skeen worked tirelessly to advance storage of Federal waste. He supported legislation to maintain the viability of the agricultural industry. He also has been a leader in supporting legislative initiatives on a balanced budget. crime education and military spending. He is an unapologetic advocate of local control. insisting that citizens make their own determination and not let the legislature do it for them. Congressman Skeen was well respected on both sides of the aisle. He was an earnest and capable legislator. a worthy adviser and a true gentleman devoted to his family and dedicated to his constituents. His goodwill and humor are missed by all of us. It is fitting and proper to honor Joe Skeens life and public service with the designation of the Federal building in Roswell. New Mexico. as the Joe Skeen Federal Building. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2004-09-22
Speaker: MARK UDALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

TOM UDALL. and Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Skeen and I formed the Congressional Working Group on Parkinsons Disease. Joe Skeen was a true leader in the fight against Parkinsons Disease. Over the years. the Working Group has sought to increase awareness among Members of Congress on Parkinsons related issues. Most importantly. the Working Group advocates for accelerated and increased funding for Parkinsons research in the hopes that we soon find the cure for what leading scientists call the most curable neurological disorder. We will carry on the fight to cure Parkinsons. in part. inspired by the legacy of the great Joe Skeen. This bill ensures that the people of New Mexico and those around the country never forget our friend. Joe. I fully support its passage in honor of Joe Skeena true national treasure.
Date: 2004-09-23
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. for the last 4 years. Texas hasseen our manufacturing economy decline. entire industries virtually disappear. jobs outsourced abroad and communities across the State struggle against the tide tobalance their budgets and maintain viability. All families in Texas have seen their share of the national debt increase by $36.536. Republicans have tried to cut back on support for local police officers. supporting proposals that would slash funding for the COPS program which has put 5.937 police officers on the streets in Texas. They have drained the Superfund program. despite the 30 sites that endanger the health of families in Texas. Mr. Speaker. I think it is time to wake up and address the most important problems that we face. Let us come together on a new economic plan for America. Working together. our New Partnership for Americas Future will provide prosperity. national security. fairness. opportunity. community and accountability to the families of Texas.
Date: 2004-09-23
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I want to mention $50 million. but the Hope Six program is slated to be completely eliminated. That is the only program that goes into the community and not only replaces housing but has other kinds of programs that will assist the people that live in public housing to help them with job training. education. afterschool programs. and of course. the Drug Elimination Program is completely wiped out. I have to say Under Secretary Mel Martinez and George W. Bush. they have destroyed the housing program. It is just not a priority for the administration. Hope Six in Florida received three grants. but it may be the last round of assistance that people in public housing will receive if this administration is reelected. The Drug Elimination Program. Members can see that this program and programs which assist. help with afterschool programs and tutoring programs. it was the program that actually brought in the cops into the community. working with the young people so they would not get involved in the world of crime. completely eliminated under this administration. The list goes on. Certainly housing has not been a priority. But what was interesting to me was I have received visits from the realtors and the home builders because they are concerned about the new homeownership programs that have worked so well with the publicprivate partnerships. Those programs have been on the chopping block .in Florida and throughout the country. I know the gentlewoman has received some of the same complaints. Why would programs be cut which actually help people become homeowners? Mr. Speaker. let me say to the gentlewoman. I am very excited about her program. and I am very pleased to be a cosponsor. but can the gentlewoman explain where We are going to get the funds from?
Date: 2004-09-23
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. what a wonderful program. Just one other point I want to make: Recently. the present Secretary of HUD was on Mr. OReillys program. and I want to get a copy of the transcript and submit it for the record because it was horrifying that someone. an AfricanAmerican. could talk about the fact that you are in an awful condition because this is what you want to be in. He would not have been in the position of Secretary if it were not for affirmative action. a program that this administration. President George W. Bush. on Martin Luther Kings birthday announced we should not have any affirmative action.