macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1982-12-21
Speaker: PHILLIP BURTON (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. this will be the last da--.at my brother. JOHN. serves as a Member of the House of Representatives. I am pleased JOHN will be returning to the city he loves. but I also have a special sense of loss at JOHNs departure. JOHN is leaving public service after 18 years in elective office. I know Californians will be hearing from him and will find. while he is leaving Congress. he will not be leaving those issues which he has championed so well. JOHN was a leader in the long fight to wrest this Nation from its disastrous involvement in Vietnam. As Congress labored long into the night in the closing days and weeks of that war. JOHN was often on the House floor urging his tired colleagues on to act to end that national tragedy. As chair of the Government Activities and Transportation Subcommittee. JOHN was the "barnyard dog" type of watchdog that President Reagan is so fond of calling his inspector generals. His subcommittee has been a vigilant overseer of the FAA and other agencies. always concerned with the safety of airline passengers and the wellbeing of those who fly and service aircraft. Now that the Burton brothers act has split up here in Washingtonwe still have another brother in elective office in San FranciscoI suppose I will have to redouble my efforts to champion those causes that JOHN and I have worked for in Congress. I. of course. wish him well and look forward to seeing him back in San Francisco. Mr. Speaker. I would like to bring to the attention of my colleagues a letter from Charles Manatt. chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Chuck has been a good friend of the Burton brothers and I am pleased he asked to have this letter placed in the RECORD. The letter follows: DEAn PHIL: I deeply appreciate the opportunity to join with your many colleagues in honoring John Burton upon the completion of his outstanding term of service in the U.S. House of Representatives. John will be sorely missed in the Congress. He will be missed because of his contributions to the legislative process. lie will be missed because of the outstanding representation he gave his nation. his state. and his city: and John will be missed for his style. his unique opennesss and candor that bothered some and delighted most. But never let it be said that John Burton didnt give his all to his job. He will be a tough act to followin any job. I am sure that there will be days when John does miss Washington and the Congress. I can only remind him of the words of Norman Cousins: "Life somehow finds a way of transcending politics."
Date: 1982-12-21
Speaker: WON PAT (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased to join in this special salute to a very special Member of this body. Congressman JOHN BURTON Of California. As you know. JOHN is celebrating his birthday today and I can think of no more appropriate opportunity to salute the many accomplishments of this outstanding and highly devoted public servant. I have long been privileged to work closely with Congressman BURTONs brother. PHILLIP. and thus have had ample opportunity to see first hand the political ability which has been instilled in the BURTON brothers. Like his brother. JOHN is charged with a desire to see that Justice is done for the little man in this country and he has pursued this goal with a vigor and talent that many have admired. A good example of this desire to get to the heart of matters was the outstanding hearings Congressman BURTON held several years ago on the safety of the DC10 aircraft following the tragic crash in Chicago. I saw some of those hearings and came away pursuaded that JOHN BURTON was pursuing the real reason why that plane crashed killing so many with all of the conviction and energy anyone could ask. JOHN wanted to make certain that the victims did not die in vain and he accomplished this goal by forcing as much as anyone an exhaustive examination of the wings and engines of the doomed craft which led to changes being ordered in the servicing of the remaining planes. I was also pleased to work with JOHN when my office successfully sought to obtain title from the U.S. Government of over 900 acres of land in Guams port area. Congressman JOHN BURTON was a tough man to pursuade but he was also a wonderful friend whose support was crucial to the final passage of that legislation. We need dynamic leaders of Congress like JOHN BURTON now. more than ever before. His decision to leave Congress for other pursuits can be readily understood by all of us who have worked the long hours this job demands. Yet. I hope that he will turn his energies to again find some means of working for those whom he has spoken so well for here in the House. We need champions to help offset the policies of the current administration and the absence of JOHN BURTON will sorely be felt in the 98th Congress. JoHN. thank you for all you have done for my own constituents in Guam. They deeply appreciate your many fine qualities and on their behalf I wish you and your family a most happy and productive future. You have left behind you a legacy of dedication and outstanding public service and countless friends. Few of us could ask more and my prayers and best wishes go with you in the future. Thank you.*
Date: 1982-12-21
Speaker: JOHN BURTON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

who will be missed by all of us who have had the pleasure of knowing him. As fellow members of the class of 1974. JOHN BURTON and I have seen this Nation go through a number of significant and dramatic changes. Throughout these tumultuous and trying years. JoHN BURTON has never faltered in his commitment to. serving the needs of the American people. and most particularly the elderly. the young. the handicapped. and the disadvantaged. all who are the most underrepresented classes of people in our society today. Even amidst the most arduous debate and weighty discussions in this Chamber. JOHN BURTON has always injected humor and commonsense to rekindle our spirits and our sense of hope and commitment. It somehow seems fitting that our colleague. JOHN BURTON. is redirecting his energies on the threshold of his second 50 years. I wish him the very best in his new pursuits and hope that his next 50 years will be filled with much happiness and will be personally rewarding and professionally challenging.e
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. therc is a distinct possibility we might change it. but not at this moment. There are some Senators on this side who want to speak. I do not know how long they will want to speak. but I assure the majority leader we can move the vote earlier than 11:30. I suggest that we wait just a little while before we get the unaiimousconsent order changed. Mr. President. let me say that 35 Democrats voted "aye" on cloture. So time and time and time again. the invisible Minority in this body has coopcrated and supported the effort to bring this debate to a halt. I think the record should show that without those 35 votes. even though many of us are against the tax itself. cloture would not have been invoked.
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. may I respond to the distinguished majority leader? The distinguished majority leader has indeed conferred with the minority leader time and time and time again. When I used the words "invisible minority." I did not mean to imply that it is a minority invisible to the majority leader. I meant it for the other end of the avenue. which. thus far over these 2 years. has pretty much considered the minority in the U.S. Senate as an invisible minority. We have been consulted but very little. I just wanted the record to show that it has been the Democratic vote that delivered the bacon in this instance Insofar as cloture is concerned. even though many of us are very opposed to the gas tax. while others of us support it.
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. I think the Senator from Illinois has held the floor about long enough. Other Senators should be allowed to gain the floor in their own right. Some of the remainder of us wish to talk about this subject as well. I will not object in this instance. but to any further request along this line I will object.
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I do not want the floor at this point. but there are Senators here who want to speak on the measure that is to be acted upon. After that. I will have something to say about my reflections on the Senate legislative process. But I think I can wait and let Senators speak on the measure and pass it and let Senators go who have to leave town and the remainder of us can stay around as long as we want to talk about the rules change. I am not saying that any Senator should not speak on that. I think that is all right. But as far as I know. Mr. FORD. the ranking minority member of the Rules Committee. has something to say on this. But I am not seeking the floor in my own right at the moment to speak on that subject. I just want to see us get on with this business and get on with the vote and let Senators leave who have to leave. I know some who have to catch planes.
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I do not mind having Senators speak on the need for changes in the rules. I do not want to see one Senator get the floor and hold it and yield out to other Senators. I* think every Senator should have the right to the floor in his own right.
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I hope we can get home in time for Christmas. -The distinguished Senator from Mississippi hasbeen patiently waiting to be recognized and so have I. I defer to him.
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I want to thank the distinguished Senator from Mississippi for being the most courtly. the most courteous. and most dutiful Member of the Senate I have known in my 24 years in the Senate. I thank him for his remarks. I thank him for his service. and I thank him for the inspiration he provides to the rest of us.
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I do not know of any Senator who exemplifies civility and friendliness more than does the Senator from Hawaii . I think we can use more civility around here.
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I am sure the distinguished majority leader would want to sharewith me my words of thanks to the distinguished President pro tempore. He is one of the most considerate Members of this body. I know from my own per sonal experience just how considerate and how thoughtful he Is. and I want to thank him. He is a man who is absolutely fearless. I heard the late Richard B. Russell once say that about STROM THURMONDhe is absolutely fearless. He has tremendous courage and is also very courteous. He always has been very courteous to me and very considerate and very understanding. I am. indeed. proud of the statement he has made concerning the little part that I have played in the conduct of the business of the Senate.
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I hope that Senators have had a chance to make their comments about the need for changes in the rules of the Senate. I think there are 100 Members here who want to see 8S16108 December 2. 1982 . CON changes. but I do not think we are going to make those changes this afternoon. I have spoken to the distinguished majorityleader a few days ago about the matter. I think we came to a conclusion that we wanted to appoint. either by resolution or simply by just going ahead and appointing a group of Senators to work with the Rules Committee and with the RibicoffPearson effort to make some recommendations for changes in the rules. I think it will be interesting. very interesting. to see 100 Members of the Senate come together on changes in the rules. 100 Members agree that there ought to be changes. and there should be. But I think they all should have an opportunity to make that input. If the majority leader is agreeable. we could get together during the next 2 or 3 days. or during the holldays. and name some Senators to work together with the Rules Committee and with former Senator Risicorr and former Senator Pearson in making some recommendations. and to solicit ideas from all Senators so that everyone will have an Input. I think that that is the only orderly way in which we can proceed. -And even then it is going to be extremely difficult to get 100 Senators to agree on everything. But perhaps some improvements can be made in the Senate rules that will enable us to bring them into the late. late part of the 20th century in some respects.
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I will be very happy to work with the majority leader. I do not thiik we should wait until the next session. I think when we talk about changes in tlhe rules we ought to take a new look at the Budget Reform Act as well.
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. as this tumultuous special session of the 97th Congress draws to its close and as we prepare at last to leave this citysome of us. at leastfor our home States. I wish to call my colleagues special attention to a fine work of our distinguished majority leadera work which he has accomplished not in this Chamber but in his beloved darkroom. This work is a book of photography entitled "Howard Bakers Washington." and as the noted columnist Haynes Johnson observes in this past Sundays Washington Post. this book offers a warmhearted look at Wash. ington. sensitively and interestingly recorded. a real delight for anyone who loves this capital city. I wish that someone 100 years ago in this body would have done the same. because. after all. I think it takes someone within this body to really understand the body. understand its history. understand what goes on. and have the perspective for future historians. future college professors. judges. and lawyers who are interested in Washington and the Capital of the Nation and the Federal legislature. a history of all of these things. I think it requires someone who has that inside perspective. HOWARD BAKER has that perspective. He is an excellent photographer. While I am only a thirdrate fiddler. he is a first rate photographer. And I want to say that those of use who know him well know that if the distinguished Senator from Tennessee had his "druthers." he would spend a great deal more time behind the camera than in front of a camera. This bookand I appreciate his having given me a copyis persuasive evidence of his photographic talent. his intimate knowledge of this city and its traditions. and his winning way with the written word and.the photo. graph. which. in words I shall paraphrase. takes the place of a thousand words. As Mr. Johnson says. "On its own. the text is well worth the price. for BAKER writes with refreshing candor and a nice leavening of humor. Interspersed throughout are striking passages that take you quite by surprise." Mr. President. I know my colleagues on both sides of the aisle join me in congratulating our good friend from Tennessee on this literary and artistic achievement. and I ask unanimous consent that the text of Mr. Johnsons column in the Washington Post of December 19 be inserted in the RECORD at this point.
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. may I ask the distinguished majority leader whether or not he intends to leave the RECORD open for a day or so for Members who wish to Insert material?
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. there is no objection so far as I know to the discharge of these committees as requested and no objection to proceeding..
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.
Date: 1982-12-23
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I would like for it to be read in full so we can know what those certain appointments are.
Date: 1999-02-03
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that any reference to the gentleman from Colorado as a cosponsor of H.R. 393. a bill to amend the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978. to provide for the remediation of the Atlas uranium milling site near Moab. Utah. be deleted from the RECORD. His name was inadvertently included. and he has requested it be removed.
Date: 1999-03-02
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding. and I want to thank the committee for bringing this resolution to the floor. Mr. Speaker. I strongly support this resolution. but let us understand that this resolution is only the beginning. It pledges all of us to save Social Security. That pledge will also have to include a decision not to invade those Social Security trust funds. This week. on the cover of Barrons Magazine. they have the headline which screams to people in Washington. D.C. This week. the Dow Jones financial magazine says there is no budget surplus. And they are quite correct. there is no budget surplus. There is only money that is in excess in the Social Security trust fund. and whether or not we save Social Security will depend upon the decisions we make in this Congress about whether we are going to break the budget caps that restrain spending in this Congress. whether or not we are going to invade these trust funds for a whole range of spending proposals that are currently before the Congress. If we do that this year and if we do that before 2001. every dollar we spend will come out of the Social Security trust funds. Because Barrons has it right. There is no other surplus. There is only the Social Security trust funds.
Date: 1999-03-04
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. Members of the House. did you hear the one about the Republicans who think that we ought to privatize Social Security because the interest earned on Social Security trust funds is too little? Now. they have a plan this week. the interest on the trust funds is so little that they are going to take it away from the people that paid into the trust funds. They have a plan where they say they are going to save Social Security. that they are not going to touch the principal of the trust funds or 70 percent of it. 60 percent of it. something like that. But what they are going to do is they are going to take away the interest. So working men and women in this country pay in their hardearned dollars through the FICA tax into Social Security. it earns interest that they are supposed to be the beneficiaries of. and along come the Republicans and they are going to steal the interest. I hope America is watching closely when this legislation comes to the floor. because while they say they are going to protect the principal. lo and behold we see that JOHN KASICH and others have a proposal to take it and use it for tax cuts or to take it and use it for spending proposals that they have. If you are going to protect Social Security. you got to protect the principal and the interest.
Date: 1999-03-08
Speaker: VICTOR S. REZENDES (democrat)
Chamber: S

Director. Energy. Resources and Science Issues. U.S. General Accounting Office. Washington. DC. DEAR MR. REZENDES: The Department. of Energy appreciates the opportunity to review the draft General Accounting Office report. GAO/RCED9954. "Nuclear Proliferation: Concerns With DOEs Efforts to Reduce the Risks Posted by Russias Unemployed Weapons Scientists." The report. as written. provides valuable insight into our Initiatives for Proliferation Preiention Program and will assist the Department to better manage this valuable program. Technical comments to this report have been provided separately. Our comments on the reports recommendations are attached. Sincerely. LEONARD SPECTOR. Director. Office of Arms Control and Nonproliferation. Attachment.
Date: 1999-03-10
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. later today Members will have an opportunity to vote on the MillerKildee amendment to the ed flex bill which will provide for stronger accountability on behalf of the States. We will be voting later this year to send the States $50 billion additional in title I moneys. We have sent them $120 billion over the last decade. and the results at best are mixed. In some cases they are shameful. We need to have accountability. The MillerKildee amendment simply does what George W. Bush did in Texas. He told the Federal Government in exchange for flexibility. I am willing to set the following standards. all children in Texas or 90 percent of the children In Texas will pass the State exam in 5 years. 90 percent of the African Americans. 90 percent of the Hispanics and 90 percent of the poor children. I do not know what the governor of my State could say and I do not know what the governor of Louisiana or New York could say. but they ought to be able to tell us what their goals for achievement are. how they will measure them. No longer should the Federal Government continue to enable lax accountability for our childrens education.
Date: 1999-03-10
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Chairman. I do not know if the rule provides for it or maybe we can find out from the Chair. is there going to be an order for the amendments- or is it just going to be based upon recognition? Is the whole bill open for amendment?