macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-03
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Chairman. there is perhaps no free people and democratic government in the world that faces a more serious threat from terrorism. and specifically narcoterrorism. than the government of Colombia. The narcoterrorists in Colombia. because of the fact that they are engaged in the drug traffic. have hundreds of millions. indeed. billions of dollars at their disposal to purchase the most deadly weapons available from rogue states and terrorist groups from throughout the world to cause the most serious damage conceivable. Those billions of dollars available to the narcoterrorists in Colombia have made it possible for them to engage in a sustained campaign of extraordinary violence. of kidnapping. of the most horrible conceivable crimes again the Colombian people. Day in and day out the Colombian people and their democratically. elected government are fighting the narcoterrorists in an extraordinary way. a valiant way. an admirable way. What we are doing in this Congress. with the support of the President of the United States. and. indeed. his orientation and his leadership. is we are saying to the Colombian people and their democratically elected government that we support them in their effort against narcoterrorists who have billions of dollars for death and destruction at their service. at their disposal. These tens of millions of dollars that we are discussing today may be able to be categorized. as they were by the sponsor of this amendment. as a modest proposal. But the challenge before the Colombian people is not a modest challenge. the challenge posed by the tens of thousands of murderers who engage in thousands of kidnappings each year. including. and I have the latest travel warning from the United States State Department. 26 Americans who are reported as kidnapped in recent months in Colombia. ThQse terrorists have. as I said before. billions of dollars at their disposal. Yes. we are. in the words of the sponsor of this amendment. dealing with a modest. a modest amount. tens of millions of dollars in aid. for a democratically elected government that is fighting against the most violent terrorists perhaps on the face of the Earth today. terrorists that attack not only military personnel but civilians. and engage in systematic violence against a people who live in a democracy. So I urge my colleagues to reject. to vote down this illtimed and illconceived amendment and to support our leadership. to support the President. to support the efforts against narcoterrorism that are embodied In our support for the democratically elected government of Colombia.
Date: 2003-04-03
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I appreciated the remarks of the gentleman from New Jersey and then my distinguished friend from Florida. the gentleman from Florida . with regard to the crackdown that the Cuban dictatorship is engaged in at this moment against the prodemocracy movement in Cuba. An entire new generation of leaders has developed and sprung up in Cuba. and even though they make a very purposeful point of maintaining their struggle always to a totally peaceful means. the dictator in Cuba is nervous. precisely because an entire generation of leadership that signifies and represents the future of Cuba has arisen. So this crackdown has occurred while the attention of the world. and it is occurring while the attention of the world is obviously upon Iraq because of the liberation of Iraq taking place by coalition forces led by the United States. So taking advantage of the fact that the world is looking at Iraq. the Cuban dictator has once again filled his prisons with men and women who are peaceful prodemocracy activists or independent librarians. independent journalists. including Raul Rivero who is usually referred to as the dean of independent journalists in Cuba. Very wellknown peaceful prodemocracy activists have been part of this roundup. Their homes have been burst into by the thugs of the dictatorship called the Rapid Action Brigades. They have burst into the homes. ransacked the homes. stolen property and terrorized the families of the prodemocracy victims. as well as the prodemocracy activists. and that has been going on systematically in the last 2 weeks in Cuba. As I stated before. very wellknown activists such as Hector Palactos and Martha Beatriz Roque are among the many. the 80 that we know of. Certainly there are many more that we do not know of. but 80 we know of. Mr. Speaker. I include for the RECORD the list of the 80 imprisoned journalists and activists that we know. of.
Date: 2003-04-03
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentlewoman. Her words were eloquent. as always. and so appropriate. I would like to yield at this time to our other distinguished colleague from South Florida .
Date: 2003-04-03
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman from Florida for this opportunity. I was listening to our distinguished colleague. the gentlewoman from Florida . talk about the sentences. these horrendous. long prison sentences to these human beings. Why are they going to prison? It sounds like a cruel joke. They are going to prison because they own a fax machine. They are going to prison because they own a copy machine. They are going to prison because they have the audacity of owning a computer. They are going to prison because how could they dare put up a Web page. a Web page that expresses what? Love for freedom. That is why they have been sentenced to prison. People who are nonviolent. people who want just one thing: freedom. Because they have the audacity to speak up and say that they want to be free and they want their people to be free. they get sentences of life imprisonment. Is that a cruel joke? At the same time there are brave men and women who are giving their lives for freedom. just 90 miles from our shores we have another dictator taking away peoples freedoms. putting them in prison because they own a fax machine and because they have the audacity to own a printer. a copier. or to have a Web page. The world will not sit quietly. The world will not pretend this is not happening. We must all now speak up with one voice. We must all speak up against permitting this insanity by this insane human being just 90 miles away from our shores from taking place. Again. we will not forget these .people. We will not tolerate their incarceration. We will not stop until they are freed. and we will insist that the entire world. starting with this body. the Congress of the United States. we will insist that every single one of us say to that dictator. we will not tolerate it. We will provide and put all of the pressure necessary to make sure that these people go free and that everybody on that island will one day very soon get rid of that nightmare. that horrendous nightmare that the world knows as Fidel Castro.
Date: 2003-04-03
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I thank both of my colleagues. One week ago. the President of the United States. despite the fact that he is leading as Commander in Chief Operation Iraqi Freedom. with all the complexities that that has entailed and the attention that that has required. the President of the United States a week ago sent a letter to one of the most prestigious political prisoners in Cuba. a prisoner of conscience. Dr. Oscar Elias Bisect. and the President wrote in this letter to Dr. Biscet at Combinado del Este Prison where he is currently imprisoned: "Dear Dr. Biscet: Congratulations on your recognition by the International Republican Institute with its first Democracys People Award. "Your work and your example are the embodiment of democratic values. including selfdetermination. free expression. and liberty. I applaud your courageous and dignified struggle for human rights and to bring freedom to all Cubans. "Laura and I continue to pray for your health and that of the many political prisoners held unjustly in your country. "Sincerely. George W. Bush." The President sent this letter. Obviously. Castro cannot stand the fact that a Cuban would receive such an honor as a letter of this type from the President of the United States. Well. Dr. Biscets trial. after having languished for month after month after month. without being even charged. his summary trial has been announced for commencement and perhaps for finishing. for termination on Monday. And there are reports that Castros prosecutor will either ask for the death penalty for Dr. Biscet or. in an act of great totalitarian mercy. request life imprisonment. This cannot continue. This cannot continue and the Cuban people cannot continue. as the gentleman stated. in this nightmare.
Date: 2003-04-03
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. if the gentleman will yield. I imagine that now the Members of this body who may be well intentioned thought that we should do business as usual. as the gentleman well stated. with that dictator. will now realize that Castro is wrlat he is. He is an assassin. he is a thug. he is a murderer. and he jails people for having computers in their homes. So I would imagine and. of course. encourage everybody in this body to now join us. join the President of the United States. join the European Community in condemning this dictatorship and also making sure that we put pressure by applying every possible sanction possible to make sure that this nightmare goes away.
Date: 2003-04-03
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleagues for being here this evening. We will come back next week. I know that the gentlewoman from Florida has been working hard. and we have been working along with her. on precisely a resolution to condemn this Stalinist crackdown on the peaceful prodemocracy movement in Cuba 90 miles from our shores in the strongest possible terms by this House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker. I will include for the RECORD the letter sent by President Bush to Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet that I previously referred to. Mr. Speaker. we shall return. PRESIDENT. GEORGE W. Busn.
Date: 2003-04-07
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1901 West Evans Street in Florence. South Carolina. as the "Dr. Roswell N. Beck Post Office Building".
Date: 2003-04-07
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill under consideration.
Date: 2003-04-07
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1055. introduced by my distinguished colleague from the State of South Carolina . designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1901 West Evans Street in Florence. South Carolina. as the Dr. Roswell N. Beck Post Office Building. Mr. Speaker. the great State of South Carolina and indeed all of America lost a wonderful humanitarian when Dr. Roswell Nathaniel Beck. Sr.. sadly passed away in January. Dr. Beck. who was not only a caring man. but in fact. a practicing physician. was probably best known as an ambitious community organizer and political activist in the Florence area. I understand he was one of the most influential and beloved personalities in South Carolinas 6th District. which the gentleman from South Carolina represents. More importantly. Dr. Beck was a wonderful family man. as well as a friend to countless South Carolina residents. who looked up to him. I assure Dr. Becks family. especially his wife. Barbara and their children. Janice. Celeste. and Dr. Roswell Beck. Jr.. and friends that the thoughts and prayers of all Members in this House are with them. Mr. Speaker. it is very appropriate that this House recognize Dr. Roswell N. Beck by naming a post office building after him in his hometown of Florence. South Carolina. Therefore. I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 1055. I thank my colleague from South Carolina for introducing this important measure. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2003-04-07
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. and while I have no further requests for time. I would like to ensure that the gentleman from South Carolina has the opportunity to place his statement. when it comes in. at the appropriate point in the RECORD. It is he and his office that have called this bill to our attention. and we are very happy to move it very quickly to honor the memory of this very great South Carolinian. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2003-04-07
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume to thank the gentleman from South Carolina for introducing this.- It is an important recognition. and I think he very lucidly laid out for the House his reasons for doing it. Mr. Speaker. I have no further requests for time. and I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2003-04-07
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 127) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a month should be designated as "Financial Literacy for Youth Month." as amended.
Date: 2003-04-07
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration. House Resolution 127. as amended.
Date: 2003-04-07
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 127. introduced by my distinguished colleague. chairman of the Committee on Rules from the State of California . recognizes and supports the goals and ideals of a Financial Literacy for Youth Month. Mr. Speaker. I want to commend the distinguished chairman for introducing this measure. Personal financial management is one of the most important skills for any American citizen to acquire. yet not enough emphasis seems to be put in our society on teaching these abilities to our Nations young people. Establishing a personal budget. managing credit and debt. tracking purchases. and balancing checking. savings. and retirement accounts are tasks as difficult as they are essential. But the individual security that comes with being financially literate and responsible is invaluable for everyone. That is why it should be a goal of all Americans to work to teach our Nations youth the basic financial literacy skills they will need to live a life of financial security. That is why I am pleased that this House is considering this important resolution at a time when economic confidence is such a relevant value. Mr. Speaker. I urge all Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 127. as amended. and again I congratulate my colleague from California for introducing this important measure. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2003-04-07
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from the State of California (Mr. DREIERI. the distinguished sponsor of this legislation.
Date: 2003-04-07
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I think the gentleman from California has put it very eloquently. I have no further requests for time. and I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2003-04-07
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank my colleague from California for adding to the legacy of Norm Shumway. He was known for effectively representing the business community in the House where he rose as ranking member of the Committee on Banking Finance and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Stabilization. He was a softspoken Member who often communicated to his constituents and the public by writing articles for selected journals. newspapers. and other publications. He has continued. as has been noted. to altruistically work for public interests even leaving this body. serving on the Public Utilities Commission for the State of California as a commissioner for 4 years. Subsequently. the Governor appointed him to the Narcotic Addict Evaluation Authority where he worked for another year. He now lives with his wife in Bountiful. Utah. where he valiantly tries to keep tabs on his 30 grandchildren. I know I speak for all Members when I say the House wishes him well. We honor him today. and I urge all Members to honor him by supporting the passage of H.R. 1368. I thank the gentleman from California for introducing this important measure. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. DooLITTLE) for being here and carrying on his legacy. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2003-04-08
Speaker: GARY G. MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Madam Speaker. one of the main barriers of homeownership today is the down payment requirement from individuals that do not have the money. Do down payment assistance programs work? They do. One example is in Rancho Cucamonga. California. The Housing Action Resource Trust. called HART. was formed in 1995. and in 1998. they started giving homeowners down payment assistance. and it is all private funds. Not a dollar of it is government funds. What they have done is help 40.000 families actually achieve homeownership. and it is significant. Like I said. not a dime of it is government funds.
Date: 2003-04-08
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker. I wish to also thank the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman HYDE) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Chairman BALLENGER). as well as the ranking members. the gentleman from California and the gentleman from New Jersey
Date: 2003-04-08
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding the time to me. and I also want to thank the gentleman from Florida for bringing this resolution to the floor. We have heard about this horrible thing that Is going on just 90 miles away from the United States coast. these people getting arrested. What are they getting arrested for? What have they gotten convicted for? Let me just mention Raul Ramon Rivero. an independent journalist and leader of the Cuba press newspapers service who. by the way. has been sentenced to 20 years. Mr. Speaker. 20 years in prison for the following reasons: Because he created an independent press organization. 20 years for that. Because he is circulating materials published by human rights groups. 20 years for that. Mr. Speaker. Because he is a member of the Cuban Society of Independent Journalists. 20 years in prison for that. Mr. Speaker. Because. the audacity. he has a Sony tape recorder. Mr. Speaker. furthermore. he has the audacity of having a Samsung computer. and if that was not enough to deserve 20 years in prison. it Is because he has had meetings in his home with other independent journalists. That is the reason. Mr. Speaker. why he is serving 20 years. why the tyranny has sentenced him for 20 years in prison. It is not a joke. It is not a cruel joke. Those are the reasons. and like reasons for why these people are being sentenced to 20 years or life imprisonment just 90 miles away from our coast. Mr. Speaker. some still do business with that tyrant. with Castro. and some want to do business with Castro. with the Castro regime. Doing business with the Castro regime. Mr. Speaker. which is Castros will. that is what he wants. he says it every single day. doing business with that tyrant. Mr. Speaker. and let us make it very clear. is doing business with a criminal. It is doing business with an international terrorist. It is doing business with a thug. with a tyrant. Mr. Speaker. it is doing business with a murderer. and yes. just listen to him. what he says. it is doing business with a mortal enemy of the United States of America and the American people. Let us remember what Marta Beatriz Roque. who now has been sentenced to prison for these same types of issue-. what she has been saying time and time again. One of the reasons that she is going to prison is because she has said that we must keep the sanctions on the tyranny. we must keep the pressure on until finally there are free elections in Cuba. That is the goal. Mr. Speaker. That is what we need to do. That is what we need to succeed in achieving for the Cuban people. and that is why it is important. That is a step to free elections. That is a step to freedom in Cuba. We overwhelmingly support this resolution and want to make sure that the world sees that everybody understands that we will not tolerate. we will not tolerate this type of behavior. and we are not going to do business with that kind of antiAmerican thug. criminal. assassin and terrorist just 90 miles away from our shores.
Date: 2003-04-08
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. pursuant to tile order of tile House of April 7. 2003. I call up the Senate bill to amend chapter 83 of title 5. United States Code. to reform the funding of benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System for employees of the United States Postal Service. and for other purposes. and ask for its immediate consideration.
Date: 2003-04-08
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the Senate bill under consideration.
Date: 2003-04-08
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York who has been the former chairman of the Subcommittee on the Postal Service and one of the real experts on this issue to address this issue and put his stamp of approval.
Date: 2003-04-08
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana . the former chairman of the full committee and a leader in postal reform.