macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1988-10-03
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days In which to revise and extend their remarks on the 3 bills previously considered. It.R. 5318. H.R. 4724. and H.R. 4345. with House Resolution 564.
Date: 1988-10-03
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 5203. a bill to declare that certain lands be held in trust for the Quinalt Indian Nation and for other purposes. H.R. 5203 helps to resolve a dispute over the boundary of the Quinalt Indian Reservalion in Washington that has existed since an erroneous survey was conducted In 1892. The bill would do so by transferring 12.000 acres of land currently contained in the Olympic National Forest to the Secretary of the Interior to be included in the Quinalt Indian Reservation. Records Indicate that a total of 15.038 acres of land wore were mistakenly excluded from the Quinalt Reservation at the time of the land survey. Of these 9.600 acres of land originally part of the Quinalt Reservation are currently within the Olympic National Forest and approximately 3.100 acres are within the Olympic National Park. Other lands. totaling 1.270 acres. are currently held by the State of Washington. and Grays Harbor and Jefferson Countries. Private land amounting to 1.065 acres was also erroneously excluded from the Quinalt Reservation. The bill would also provide for the Forest Service to continue to manage a 5.400acre tract of land in accordance with the provisions of the Olympic National. Forest land and resource management plan. but requires that a portion of the timber receipts from this tract be given to the Quinalt Nation for certain land consolidation efforts. The income derived from this area is intended to compensate for revenues lost from lands erroneously excluded from the reservation which are currently administered as part of the Olympic National Park or in other public or private ownership. This provision of the bill provides a unique and somewhat troubling solution to the problems created by the erroneous land survey. Although the Committee on Agriculture would have preferred to correct the previous survey error by returning all the lands determined to have been erroneously excluded from the reservation to the Quinalt Nation. the varied ownership of these lands made such a solution extremely difficult. Therefore the committee accepts the decision to use revenues from Forest Service lands to aid in compensating for revenues lost from lands erroneously excluded from the Quinalt Reservation. The Committee on Agriculture accepts this solution with the understanding that these "section 2" lands will continue to be managed in accordance with all laws. rules. and regulations governing the administration of other segments of the National Forest System. Furthermore. the committee stresses that th. receiptssharing arrangement authorized by section 4 of H.R. 5203. shall not create a trust or fiduciary duty on the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to the management of these lands beyond any obligations that the Secretar may have under current law. These lands should continue to be managed In accordance with an approved forest plan for the Olympic National Forest. as they would if this receiptsharing provision were not in effect. Mr. Speaker. with the changes made in H.R. 5203 to address those concerns I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Date: 1988-10-03
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 4028. as amended by the Senate. and urge its adoption by the House. H.R. 4028. would authorize the exchange of certain National Forest System lands in the Targhee National Forest in Idaho and Wyoraing. This exhange involves the transfer of 270 acres of land in Wyoming for cc. lain private lands in or adjacent to the Targhce National Forest in Idaho. Current law prohibits the exchange of national forest lands between States and requires that the lands be included within the exterior boundaries of a national forest. Mr. Sp.eaker. this bill wi!l benefit cornmunities in bath Wyoming and Idaho by facilitating the expansion of the Grand Targhee Resort in Wyoming The developer who seeks to acquire the tract of land in Wyoming will in turn aid in securing several areas along the South Fork of the Snake River in Idaho. These private tracts are highly desired to protect the unique qualities of this portion of the Snake River. H.R. 4028 passed the House in May 1988. The bill. with certain clarifying amendments. was adopted by the Senate on September 29. Mr. Speaker. H.R. 4028. as amended. is a measure that represents the product of an effective partnership between govrnment and private enterprise. This bill will benefit the economy of communities in Idaho and Wyoming while serving to protect important segments of the Snake River. The success of this measure is a tribute to the effective leadership of our colleague from Idaho. Hon. RcrAnO
Date: 1988-10-03
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaer. I rise in support of H.R. 4354 as amended by the Senate. and urge its adoption 171 the House. H.R. 4354 would designate certain National Forest System lands in the State of Oklahoma for inclusion In the National Wilderness Preservation System and establish the Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area. This bill was considered by the House on August 8. 1988. The bill was amended by the Senate to establish an advisory committee to aid in the development of the Ouachita National Forest land and esource management plan and to authorize certain recreation Improvements to the Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation and Wilderness Areas. Mr. Speaker. while the Committee on Agriculture in reviewing H.R. 4354 objected to the establishment of an advisory committee In developing the Oiachita land and resource management plan. I will not oppose the Senate amendment. I would note. however. that the Secretary of Agriculture currently has the authority necessary to establish such advisory groups to aid in the development of national forest management plans. Mr. Speaker. I commend our distinguished colleague from Oklahoma for his leadership in crafting the compromise that has led us to consider H.R. 4354 today. I urge the Members of the House to support its passage.
Date: 1988-10-03
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill to amend Public Law 94241. the joint resolution approving the covenant to establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Marlana Islands In Political Union with the United States of America. and for other purposes. as amended.
Date: 1988-10-03
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to extend their remarks on the Senate bill presently under consideration.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: ELIZABETH MOLEA (democrat)
Chamber: S

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Washington. DC. DEAR Ms. MOLER: As you know. your nonilnation to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) may soon come before the Senate. I have been examining the question of how FERC ratemaking relates to the operation of our federal ehvironmental laws. I believe that FERC has a duty to assure that ratemaking does not in any way undermine the application of environmental laws. The important principle embodied in those laws is that the polluter. not the consumer. should pay for costs resulting from environmental violations. Given my Interest in this subject. I would appreciate your views on the following questions: 1. Should rate recovery be allowed where a proposed rate Includes any cleanup costs that result from violations of environmental laws or cleanup payments made pursuant to corient decrees or other settlements? If so. tinder what circumstances? If not. why not? 2. Assume for purposes of this question that neither a prior regulatory or judicial determination of an environmental violation has been made nor a consent decree iscued relating to an environmenttl violation. (a) Should FERC use its Lroad legal authority to evaluate whether costs associated with n rate application result from actions that are inconsistent with the intent and requirements of environmental laws? If so. under what circumstances? If not. why not? (b) If your answer to 2(a) is yes. and assuming a finding that costs result from actions that are inconsistent with tile intent and requirments of environmental laws. should rate recovery for such costs be denied? Please give full explanations for your answers. I will consider your responses carefully in making a determination about your confirmation vote. and intend to move to defer full consideration of your nomination until I have had an opportunity to review your responses. I appreciate your assistance. Sincerely.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: ST GERMAIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speakers table the bill to amend the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to extend programs providing urgently needed assistance for the homeless and for other purposes. with a Senate amendment thereto. disagree to the Senate amendment. and request a conference with the Senate thereon.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I 3m pleased to join Subcommittee Chairman STEPHEN SOLARZ of the Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs in strong support of H.R. 5389 of which I am a cosponsor. In recent weeks. the American people through televised reports and newspaper articles have become acutely aware of the widespread devastation and suffering that has occurred because of torrential rainfall and floodIng In Bangladesh last month. Its hard for any of us here in the United States to imagine. but there are almost 30 million people who have been left homeless on account of the flooding in that small nation. Mr. Speaker. Bangladesh agriculture. so extremely vital to such a densely populated country. is in a shambles. Crop losses are expected to exceed the 3.4 million ton loss that occurred following last years flooding. the worst in 47 years at the time. Losses of cattle and poultry may be as high as half a million head. Landless farm workers who comprise 62 percent of all the rural inhabitants of Bangladesh are without jobs. Rural roads. bridges. and culverts. many of which were built with U.S. assistance under the Food for Peace Program. have been severely damaged. The U.S. Government has responded to this disaster primarily through accelerated and redirected funds under Public Law 480. the Food for Peace Program. and with some emergency disaster assistance grants. While we all support this action. it is becoming Increasingly apparent that more help will be needed. I think its extremely important that the people of the United States assure the people of Bangladesh of our continued interest and concern about their welfare. We are a most fortunate nation. Mr. Speakor. Even after the worst drought in 50 years. America is blessed with enough grain production and enough food reserves to carry us over to the next harvest. We are a prosperous nation. And more importantly we are a caring nation. We are able to help those less fortunate than ourselves. We show that concern today through the legislation now before us. H.R. 5389 provides flexibility in the title III Food for Development Program. Basic311y. it allows local currencies generated from sales of U.S. agricultural commodities to be used for disaster relief. rehabilitation. and roconstruction assistance in not only rural but also urban areas of a country affected by a natural disaster. This legislation also spells out congressional Intent that any assistance provided under regular development and food aid programs for fiscal year 1989 for the disaster in Bangladesh this year not be reduced because of such disaster assistance. Mi. Speaker. this legislation will not be the complete answer to the problems and needs of the people of Bangledesh. However. it will help ensure that moneys are available to address the Immediate problems of food. medicine. and distribution of these items end other needed supplies to thcse suffering in this unfortunate calamity. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: ST GERMAIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking. Finance and Urban Affairs be permitted to sit during proceedings of the House under the 5minute rule on Wednesday. October 5. 1988. to markup H.R. 5432. Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation Recapitalization Amendments of 1988. The ranking minority member concurs in this request.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: ST GERMAIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill to establish a National Commission on the Thrift Industry. as amended.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: ST GERMAIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. almost daily. we are confronted with new problems in the savings and loan industry and growing projections of the cost of bailing out this industry. It is critical. Mr. Speaker. that the Congress and the American public have all the facts and the very best ideas that will lead to a longrange solution to stabilize the savings and loan industry. H.R. 5407which establishes a National Commission on the Thrift Industryis an important step in that direction. This bipartisan 18member Commission. chosen Jointly by the executive and legislative branches. will provide us expert data and opinion as we move toward lasting answers in the next Congress. We are asking that the Commission submit its report by February 1 of next year. This is a short deadline. but if the problem is immediate and if the data is to be useful. we must have the information early in the next session. The Commission is all the more important because of the conflicting numbers that continue to pour out of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. The Bank Boards credibility has suffered greatly under the weight of constantly changing numbersnew proJections of the cost and miraculous recalculations of income streams to match the new cost figures. The Commission. we hope. will develop some credible projections to replace the numbers chaos at the Home Loan Bank Board. We have structured the bill so that the membership of the Commission will be as independent and the findings as objective as possible. To help accomplish this independence. the legislative would limit to two the number of appointees that could be drawn from thrift trade associations or Federal or State thrift regulatory agencies. Not only do we want independence. but fresh ideas. In addition to giving us improved calculations on the size of the problem. we want the Commission to take a hard look at the efficacy of the current regulations of the savings and loan industry. the impact of the assistance programs. and the future role of the industry in the Nations mortgage markets. The Commission should not be looked upon as the final answer or some magical cureall. It will be valuable. but it must be regarded as a supplement to the efforts that this Congress must undertake. Throughout this session. the Banking Commission has intensified its oversight effort of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board and the individual Home Loan Banks around the Nation. We have sent our investigators into the field in the Southwest and in California to obtain firsthand data on the most severe problems. This effort will continue in the coming months. It is my intention that this committee be fully prepared to start to work on the FSLIC problems at the beginning of the next Congress. I hope we will have a strong bipartisan vote for the Commission today. It is an important step in the process to stabilize the industry and restore the publics confidence in the regulatory machinery. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: ST GERMAIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the legislation presently under consideration.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 5117. legislation introduced by my colleague. Mr. STunDs. to address the threat to marine wildlife posed by plastic ring carrier devices that often end up in the Nations coastal waters. I congratulate my colleague for bringIng this legislation to the House floor. H.R. 5117 was considered by my Subcommittee on Transportation. TourIsm. and Hazardous Materials of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The subcommittee held a joint hering with the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment to consider similar Senate legislation. At this hearing we learned that the use of plastic sixpack rings is widespread in this country and that. when improperly discarded. they can wind up in the marine environment where they can persist for some time. Unfortunatley. we also learned that when these same ring carriers remain in coastal waters they can kill or seriously maim fish and other wildlife which become hopelessly entangled In them. Ring carriers have been found around the necks of dead seals. sea lions. birds. and other animals. Some of the species that have been killed by tie rings. such as the Northern Fur Seal. belong to depleted populations. Sixteen States have already passed laws that require that ring carriers be made of degradable material. Based on testimony at the hearing. these laws appear to be neither disruptive nor costly. In fact. it costs only 1/10th of a cent to make a sixpack ring plotodegradable. H.R. 5117 would put the Federal Government on record supporting this move. In endorsing this measure. let me note that the Committee on Energy and Commerce is committed next year in its reauthorization of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to examining the larger question with respect to the adverse effects of plastics in the solid waste stream. Plastics represent a small but growing portion of the 160 million tons of municipal solid waste that we dispose of annually. In this respect. the committee does not view the present legislation as addressing its larger waste management concerns as much as addressing specifIc wildlife protection concerns. But. the committee recognizes the importance of this measure to wildlife conservation interests and supports it for that reason. Again. I congratulate my colleague.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations on the management of infectious waste. as amended.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey . the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime of the Committee on the Judiciary.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon who has helped to further this legislation tremendously by the hearings which he held in the Committee on Small Business.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield four minutes to the gentleman from Ohio who has been very active in this legislation and has offered a very important amendment which the subcommittee supports and which I support.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days In which to revise and extend their remarks. and include extraneous matter therein. on H.R. 3515. the bill just considered.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to improve Environmental Protection Agency data collection and diseemination regarding reduction of toxic chemical emissions across all media. to assist States In providing Information and technical assistance about waste reduction. and for other purposes. as amended.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I am about to yield back the balance of my time. but not without again recognizing the diligence of the gentleman from Michigan In addition to his enterprise in introducing this legislation which. after all source reduction of waste. Is the optimum. the goal. that we are ultimately striving for in this waste management field. I also particularly wanted to extend my congratulations and thanks to the gentleman from Kansas and to others on the other side of the aisle because this is a bill which has many complexities and is one where there are certain reservations about it at the Inception and that there were many legislative compromises worked out along the road in the long hours. and days and nights of effort. I thank those In the minority. especially the gentleman from Kansas for his efforts and good will in that regard.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I have no further requests October 4. 1.988 COI for time. and I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that in the engrossment of the bill. H.R. 2800. the clerk be authorized to correct section numbers. punctuation. and cross references. and to make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the actions of the House in passing the bill.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consei t that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 2800. the bill just passed.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to provide the Environmental Protection Agency and the public with additional information about asbestos products.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. FiOaIO. Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the gentleman for his efforts on this matter. This bill is a very complex bill involving litigation transactions and there were matters that had to b. worked out. The gentleman offernu some suggestions which were taken by all parties.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that In tile engrossment of the bill to provide the Environmental Protection Agency and the public with additional information about asbestos products. the Clerk be authorized to make corrections In section numbers. punctuation. and crossreferences and to make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the actions of the House in passing this bill.
Date: 1988-10-04
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 5442. the bill Just passed.
Date: 1988-10-05
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the Joint resolution (H.J. Res. 597) to authorize entry into force of the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Government of Palau. and for other purposes. as amended. H.J. Rs. 597 Resolved by the Senate and House of Rep. rcsentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled.
Date: 1988-10-05
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 597) presently under consideration.