macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-20
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Today. I rise to recognize May 17 through May 23 as National Small Business Week. Small businesses are a critical part of our economy. In fact. over 60 percent of all jobs are created by small businesses in our Nation. And. in addition. as a result of the current crisis. we have seen an increasing number of people wanting to start their own businesses or beginning to create their own business. For example. a recent poll showed that 37 percent of Americans are either running their own business or theyre about to create their own business. I believe that innovation and growth in the small business sector is one ofthe key parts of what they contribute to our economic recovery. To help encourage that recovery. Im committed to making sure that the Federal Government offers assistance and support to small businesses throughout our Na: tion. Im pleased that today the House will consider H.R. 2352. the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act of 2009. It will provide critical training services to entrepreneurs across our Nation.
Date: 2009-05-20
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of the Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights. In these unpredictable economic times. as American families struggle to pay their bills. the last thing they need is to tind an unwelcome surprise on their monthly credit card statement. Since the start of the financial crisis. my office has been inundated with complaints about unexpected interest hikes. mysteriously shifting due dates and indecipherable new charges on their credit card bills. These bill. makes our parks and historic sites less tricks and traps are unfair and can lead to sate. and increases the opportunity for illegal devastating financial consequences for fami- poaching of protected wildlife. lies already teetering on the edge. Last year. the Bush Administration tried to The Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights pro- push through similar regulations as contained tects consumers from these abuses with in this amendment. undoing Reaganera restrong. forward looking protections. The bill strictions on the possession of loaded. conends unfair. retroactive interest rate increases. cealed weapons in National Parks. During the prohibits excessive "overthelimit" fees. pro- public comment period 140.000 people voiced tects cardholders who pay ontime. forbids a their opinion. 73 percent of which opposed the card company from unfairly allocating con- new regulations. Despite this public rejection. sumer payments or using due date gimmicks. the Bush administration finalized the regulaenhances restrictions on card issuance to tions. Earlier this year. a U.S. District Court young consumers. and prevents deceptive ruled against the implementation of the regulamarketing practices. tions because the process was "astoundingly Similar protections have been finalized in flawed and because officials ignored substanthe rule makingof the Federal Reserve and tial evidence regarding the impact the new other agencies. But they do not take effect regulations would have on the environment. until July of 2010..By codifying many of those Today. Congress is trying to surreptitiously proposals into law now. the Credit Card Hold- enact illconceived and dangerous policy as ers Bill of Rights helps to protect consumers an attachment to an entirely separate piece of more quickly and when they need it most. legislation. Allowing loaded. concealed weapPresident Obama asked Congressto deliver ons in National Parks will endanger National for his signature. in time for the Memorial Day Park Service employees. National Park visiRecess. a strong bill that protects c ay tors. and wildlife. While the NRA may support Recss astrngbil hatprtetsconsumers from abusive practices. This is that bill. I en- this wrongheaded policy change. the amendcourage my colleagues to join me in sup- ment is opposed by the Association of Naporting it. tional Park Rangers. the U.S. Park Rangers
Date: 2009-05-20
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chair. I rise today to show my support for the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights Act of 2009. This bill is more important now than ever. because credit card practices have become a huge problem in our country. Americans are saving less than they borrow on credit and the individual debt level is the highest its been in decades. Consumers should have as much information as possible when it comes to credit and finance policies and these policies should be easy to understand. That is why I was an original cosponsor of the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights Act. which among other things. includes provisions to protect consumers against: arbitrary interest rate increases. early prepayment penalties. due date gimmicks. and excessive fees. It also provides better general oversight of the credit card industry. This bill passed out of the House of Representatives on April 30. 2009 with my support and I am pleased to see that the Senate sent this bill back with even stronger consumer protections and moved its implementation date up 3 months. I look forward to voting in favor of this bill. and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. This is a chance for us to protect American consumers and rein in abusive credit card practices.
Date: 2009-05-20
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I too today rise with a heavy heart. We learned early this morning that America lost a great patriot. Roslyn Littman Schulte. who was killed this morning just north of Kabul by a roadside bomb. First Lieutenant Schulte. an intelligence officer in the United States Air Force. was serving in Afghanistan. She was only 25 years old. A 2006 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. -Roslyn was born and raised in St. Louis. Missouri. I am heartbroken for a good friend of many of us. Todd Schulte. chief of staff to Congressman SCOTT MURPHY. who is Roslyns brother. It is on days like today that we must remind ourselves of thegreat sacrifices that members of -the armed services and their families make in defense of freedom and the se- ourity of the United States. My thoughts and prayers are with her parents. Bob and Suzy. her brother Todd. her extended family and her unit at this grievous time.
Date: 2009-05-21
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I rise to have a colloquy with the chairman. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit. DART. has been a leader in promoting intermodalism throughout the North Texas area region. And the City. of Dallas plans to construct an .intermodal connector that will provide passengers With an easy connection with the Dal�las Love Field Airport. And I respectfully ask the distinguished chairman to work with me to ensure that Dallas Love Field Airport receives priority consideration for the program outlined in section 114 of this bill. I want to thank you. Aviation Subcommittee Chairman COSTELLO and Ranking Member PETRI for your work on this bill. parlicularly in the area of intermodalism as outlined in Section 114 of the bill. Expansion of passenger facility charge (PFC) eligibility to include Intermodal Ground Access Projects at Airports is of utmost importance to my congressional district. This Committee cares deeply about intermodalism and I care deeply about intermodalism.
Date: 2009-06-03
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in the Nations Capital and its transition. on June 6. 2009. to the "Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure. With its headquarters located within my congressional district in Dallas. Susan G. Komen for the Cure reaches out both nationally and globally to women affected by breast cancer. I am pleased to honor the foundation today as they celebrate their achievements and continue to move forward in creating a world without breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded by Nancy G. Brirtker in 1982 on the basis of fulfilling a promise she made to her sister. Susan G. Komen. Her promise was to end breast cancer forever. Since its establishment. Susan G. Komen has raised $1.2 billion from events like the Race for the Cure. contributing the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to fighting breast cancer. As a result. there have been several advances in the fight against breast cancer. There is now increased government funding in cancer research. prevention. and funding. and an increased chance of survival due to earlier detection. Over the next ten years. Susan G. Komen for the Cure will continue to contribute to the fight against breast cancer. The foundation plans to invest an additional $2 billion to help find a cure for breast cancer and better the lives of women all across the world. As a former nurse. I am honored to congratulate them on their 20th anniversary of the Race for the Cure in the Nations Capital. as well as their transition to a global organization.
Date: 2009-06-03
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of House Resolution 437 which recognizes the goals and ideals of mental health month. Mental health issues affect many members of the population. altering their lives and the lives of their families. Over 57 million American citizens suffer from mental illness. and it is one of the leading causes of disability in our nation. In addition. people who suffer from serious mental illnesses die on average 25 years eariier than the general population. many of them from diseases that could be treated if diagnosed early. Approximately 6.7 percent of the population is affected by Major Depressive Disorder. and more than 90 percent of people who commit suicide suffer from a depressive disorder before they take their lives. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has become one of the most serious mental health illnesses. with over a quarter of all U.S. troops suffering from the disorder. H. Res. 437 stresses a desire on the part of either those suffering from mental illness. or the families of those suffering. to seek help. As a registered nurse. I have seen firsthand the affects. that mental illness has on individuals and.their families. and I understand fully the importance of maintaining and advocating for mental health. This is an issue that affects many of us in some way. and we need to ensure thatthere is no stigma attached to mental illness so that those suffering can and will get the help they need. I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in recognizing the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month and supporting this Resolution in order to raise awareness for mental health issues.
Date: 2009-06-03
Speaker: MIKE MCINTYRE (democrat)
Chamber: H

for his dedication to this issue. Over the years. he has acted in a professional and respectful manner in his tireless efforts. his superb leadership. This bill has garnered 185 cosponsors. Mr. MCINTYRES dedication to the Lumbee people is most admirable. and Im sure they recognize and salute him for that dedication. I would also like to commend the Lumbee Tribe for being extremely patient with Congress as we have failed to clarify their status for far too long. In the face of adversity. their determination and sheer stamina has served as testament to their belief in who they are as a people. They have endured rejection by Congress. hostility by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. and have even been snubbed in their quest by neighboring Indian tribes unwilling to have the Lumbee recognized the Congress as they were. All the Lumbee want is the respect of being acknowledged for who they arean American Indian tribe. Let us join this effort to grant the Lumbee the recognition they have so long deserved. It is up to us to do the right thing by extending Federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe. and I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 31. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2009-06-04
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. as the cochair of the Congresgional Caucus on Vietnam. I continue to be concerned about the human rights condition in Vietnam. Despite their membership in the World Trade Organization andbeing granted permanent normal trade relation status. Vietnam continues to deny their citizens their fundamental human rights andpolitical liberties. The. Government of Vietnam con.tinues to restrict Internet access and goes as far as to imprison those who would use the Internet to challenge the Communist Party. The United States must be a leading advocate for human rights. And we must make it clear to governments like those of Vietnam that it is unacceptable to deny people their basic human rights. I hope. especially under this new administration.. that Congress will be able to work together and to recommit itself to fighting for the rights of the Vietnamese people. This weekend. our Orange County delegation will have the honor of welcoming the United States Ambassador to Vietnam to our community. And the delegation looks forward to continuing to work with the Department of State to make human rights a priority.
Date: 2009-06-04
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of this bill because this bill is inclusive in approach and comprehensive in scope. Its not perfect. Mr. Chairman. yet it does help perfect Homeland Security. It provides for surface transportation. security enhancement by tri-
Date: 2009-06-04
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Chair. I rise in strong support of the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act. H.R. 626 provides four weeks of pay to federal employees to use while they are on family or medical leave. Having this option is of special importance to our younger employees and employees seeking to start a family. As the federal workforce ages. the government will have to hire many new workers. Indeed. by 2010. more than 50 percent of managers. and almost 50 percent of other federal workers will be eligible for retirement. The federal government will have to compete with the private sector to attract the best and brightest to federal service to replace them. But the federal government lacks an important benefit enjoyed by 75 percent of Fortune 100 companiespaid leave for parents of newborns. This legislation permits federal employees to take up to four weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child. For younger employees. the lack of. paid leave forces. them to choose between using accrued sick leave or vacation time. which for newer employees is in short supply. or to simply go without pay when having a newborn. I encourage my colleagues to join me in helping to show the public that the federal government values families. Support H.R. 626. the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act.
Date: 2009-06-04
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Chair. I yield myself such time as I might consume. Madam Chair. this bill allows OPM. that is the Office of Personnel Management. to increase the amount of paid parental leave up to 8 weeks. It allows this after considering a variety of factors: benefits to the Federal Government. cost to the Federal Government. trends in the private sector. the governments role as a model employer. and such other factors as the director considers necessary. This amendment. Madam Chair. will require the Office of Personnel Management to consider the needs of some of our lowerlevel employees. This amendment would not require any additional funding. It merely requires the office to consider the impact that increasing the number of weeks will have on some of our lowerlevel employees. Now. I would like to introduce a term that Im not exceedingly pleased with. It is called a "poverty spell." A poverty spell is defined as entering poverty for at least 2 months. Twentyfive percent of all poverty spells begin with the birth of a child. 25 percent. I would also note that 78 percent of the persons who are eligible for FMA. this leave that we have beei discussing today. do not take it because they cannot afford to lose a paycheck. No one should go into poverty because of the birth of a child if we can prevent it. This billwill help many of our lowerlevel employees avoid a poverty spell. I will reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2009-06-04
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

At this time. Madam Chair. Im grateful to Mr. LYNCH. Im also grateful to Mrs. MALONEY for her outstanding work on this. It has been a tireless effort over many years. and Im honored that they are accepting this amendment. And I am going to ask all of my colleagues to please vote for it if a recorded vote is called for. I shall not be calling for one. I yield back.
Date: 2009-06-08
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise today in support of H. Res. 435 to celebrate Asian Pacific. American Heritage Month and pay tribute to the many achievements of Asian Pacific Americans across our Nation. The month of May marks several historical events in Asian Pacific American history. On May 7. 1843. the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States. paving the way for a great movemerit of Asian and Pacific peoples to immigrate to the United States. Only 26 years later. on. May 10. 1869. the transcontinental railroad was finished. the completion of which is largely credited to Asian Pacific Americans. Due to these events. it is appropriate to celebrate the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and honor the sacrifices and contributions of this great community. Through the years. the Asian Pacific American Communities have made significant contributions to Texass diverse culture. In Dallas. I am privileged to represent the largest Asian American Chamber in the United States with more than 1.200 members. I believe that we all learn from those who come from different backgrounds. and I can truly say that I have leamed a great deal from my Asian Pacific friends and constituents. I would also like to recognize the oneyear anniversary of the devastating earthquake that shook Sichuan Province in China in May of 2008 and send my condolences to the friends and families of the victims. Today. there are over 14 million Asian Pacific Americans living in the United States. representing 5 percent of the population. The rich history associated with the Asian Pacific American community has left a lasting and important imprint on our country. Madam Speaker. I am proud to support this resolution and the Asian Pacific American communities in North Texas and across the United States.
Date: 2009-06-08
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Madam Speaker. on Monday. June 8. 2009. I was unavoidably absent for three rollcall votes. Had I been present. I would have voted for the International Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2009. the STEM Education Coordination Act of 2009. and H. Res. 420Celebrating the symbol of the United States flag and supporting the goals and ideals of Flag Day.
Date: 2009-06-08
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. it is with great sadness that I rise to pay tribute to U.S. Army First Sergeant Blue C. Rowe. Sergeant Rowe. a devoted husband and father. was a constituent of mine from Whittier. California. This brave American was killed in action in Afghanistan on May 26.-2009. on the 15th anniversary of his service in the military. Sergeant Rowe was killed by an improvised explosive device. The 33year old Rowe leaves behind his 7year old son. Andrew. and his wife Cindy. My thoughts and prayers go out to Cind.y and Andrew. and I hope that they can find some solace in the gratitude that our Nation owes to Sergeant Rowe for his honorable service to his countrymen. Sergeant Rowe spent his entire adult life serving our country. He joined the Army in 1994 and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Last July he mobilized again for duty in Afghanistan. He and his family have made the greatest sacrifice that one can make. and we are forever in his debt. Sergeant Rowe. whose life embodied the meaning of the Word "patriot". will be missed by family. frfends and colleagues. but his honorable deeds will not be forgotten.
Date: 2009-06-09
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I recently learned of a situation concerning a constituent of mine. Randy Collins. whose exwife abducted their son and went to Japan. The last time Randy Collins saw his son. Keisuke Christian Collins. was on According to the United States State Departments Deputy Assistant Secretary for Overseas Citizens Services. the United States has received notices of 73 cases of parental abductions involving 104 children just for the country of Japan. Unfortunately. many people are not aware of the severity of this situation and how it affects so many American lives. Once taken to Japan. American parents are unable to see their children because parental visitation rights are not recognized. they are not protected by Japan. and abduction by one parent is not considered a crime. As an ally of the United States. I urge the Government of Japan to sign the 1980 Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and respect the rights of our American parents.
Date: 2009-06-09
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to announce my support for AmeriCorps and to salute all AmeriCorps members nationwide. Since AmeriCorps was created in 1994. Texas has benefited from over 22.000 young people serving a year or more in our communities. Through programs such as the National Civilian Community -Corps. City Year -and Teach For America. AmeriCorps volunteers address critical Texas needs in education. public safety. disaster response and recovery. and environment preservation. These programs serve an important role as they provide an outlet for people to serve their country in a manner that had previously not" been afforded. In the last 14 years more than 500.000 individuals have served through AmeriCorps and have earned education awards worth more than $1.5 billion. making the dream of.higher education more attainable. This national service program has provided opportunities for growing numbers of Americans to serve - our nation. AmeriCorps members serve thousands of nonprofit organizations. schools. and faithbased and community organizations each year. With the enactment of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. -which President Obama signed on April 21. 2009. three times as many Americans will now have "the opportunity to serve. This program has engaged millions of Americans in resultsdriven service in the Nations most vulnerable communities. providing hope and help to people facing economic and social needs. With the current economic downturn putting millions of Americans at risk. national service and volunteering are more importantthan ever. Mr. Speaker. the AmeriCorps program has done great things for Texas -and the -country as a whole. I am indeed honored to support the significant accomplishments of this wonderful program which represents the very best of the United States of America.