macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-26
Speaker: HERSETH SANDLIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Chairman. I rise today to support this amendment offered by my colleague and friend from Oklahoma. This amendment is critical to deliver on the promise that we made to American livestock producers this past May. After more than a year of effortand despite several veto threats from the Presidentwe were successful in passing muchneeded disaster assistance through this Chamber and enacted into law. Then. several months after the bills passage. the Secretary of Agriculture decided that a certain phrase in the bill effectively denies aid to all livestock producers that did not participate in the NonInsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program or the crop insurance pilot program for rangeland. I assure my colleagues that this was not the intention of Congress and. regardless of the accuracy of USDAs legal interpretation. we need to fix it. I have worked with Agriculture Committee leadership to find a solution to this problem and I am pleased this amendment was made in order. I also have shared this problem with the leadership of the Appropriations Committee to ensure that this years Agriculture Appropriations bill contains language to address this as well. and I am pleased to report that it does. Using this dualtrack approach. I am confident that we can solve this problem in time to prevent any delays in delivering this muchneeded assistance to American producers. This amendment will enable us to deliver on the promise we have made to deservjpg..and distressed ranchers across t.1s 89pn"..a" I urge my colleagues to support it. I 2li
Date: 2007-07-26
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE (democrat)
Chamber: H

JOINS(N" f Madam Chairman. I thank you for coresjoe ation of my amendment to H.R. 2419. the Farm. Nutrition. and Bioenergy Act of 2007. My amendment focuses on Title VII. which is the Research Title of the legislation. Specifically. the amendment adds a section .to the end of "Subtitle B." which contains proL visions pertaining to the National Agricultural Research. Extension. and Teaching Policy Act of 1977. The 1977 Act contains Section 1424. authorizing the "Human Nutrition Intervention and Health Promotion Research Program." This is the nutrition research arm of the Department of Agriculture. The program authorizes the Agriculture Secretary to award research grants for human nutrition intervention and health promotion. The 1977 Act describes the "Emphasis of the Initiative." It goes on to say that research projects should emphasize: Coordinated. longitudinal research assessments of nutritional status. and "The implementation of unified. innovative intervention strategies to identify and solve problems of nutritional inadequacy and contribute to the maintenance of health. wellbeing. performance. and productivity of individuals. thereby reducing the need of the individuals to use the health care system and social .programs of the United States." Madam Chairman. my amendment would add one additional point regarding the emphasis of the nutrition research initiative. Emphasis should also be placed on research proposals that examine the efficacy of current agriculture policies in -promoting the health and welfare of economically disadvantaged populations. The working poor suffer disproportionately from obesity and its related disorders: diabetes. cardiovascular disease. joint problems. and others. Nutrition research should include matters relating to public health. My amendment specifies that the scope of human nutrition research include grant proposals that study the effectiveness of current agriculture policies in promoting the health of individuals living in poverty. These groups stand to benefit the most from nutrition research. Taxpayer dollars should be invested wisely. Madam Chairman. An investment in analyzing how well the Federal Governments agriculture policies enable Americans to live healthy lives and make good nutrition choices i� money well spent. This amendment directs a sharper focus on nutrition research to help the economically disadvantaged. I thank the Chairman for his acceptance of my amendment and urge my colleagues to support it also.
Date: 2007-07-26
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. SHERMAN and Mr. WYNN changed their vote from "no" to "aye."So the amendment was rejected. The result of the votewas announced as above recorded.-
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I want to congratulate Chairman PETERSON for an excellent farm bill which I support and look forward to supporting. assuming this amendment is not added to it. I do have the utmost respect for the gentleman from New York and have enjoyed my time serving with him in the House of Representatives. but I rise in opposition to -his amendment which provides the Cuban regime with the ability to open bank accounts in the United States and obtain visas for regime officials to visit U.S. production. facilities. I strongly support the farm bill. but this amendment needlessly adds a volatile political issue to this important bill. Cuba is one of five countries in the world that is a state sponsor of terror. along with North Korea. Iran. Syria and Sudan. This amendment would allow access to our financial institutions by a regime that is and maintains close relationships with other state sponsors of terrorism. Recently. we have been especially vigilant about not allowing access to our financial institutions since 9/11. We adopted the Bank Secrecy Act. We have made sure there are countless accountability measures to- ensure that financial institutions have the ability to protect themselves from people who would do us harm. and this amendment would go in the opposite direction. Addiflionally. regular Cuban citizens are prohibited from engaging in private economic activity. thus. genpral agricultural licenses will only serve the purpose of allowing agents of the Cuban Government into the United States. Finally. I want to remind Members that while the Castro regime seeks U.S. concessions to finance its existence. it has consistently rejected offers of direct U.S. humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people. I ask my colleagues to vote against this amendment. The Cuban people stand at the cusp of actualizing their dreams of freedom. It is our duty to stand by them during this historic time.
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I want to commend Speaker PELOSI and Chairman PETERSON and all the members of the Agriculture Committee for the work they have done in crafting this very important bill. Mr. Chairman. I think we all understand that no bill that comes before this House is perfect. But this bill represents a very careful balancing of important national priorities: protecting the family farmer. strengthening the nutrition program. And I want. to thank subcommittee chairman JOE BACA for those efforts. land conservation. environmental protection and renewable energy sources. and all done in a fiscally responsible manner. I am especially grateful and thankful for the efforts of Chairman PETERSON and subcommittee Chairman HOLDEN for their efforts to protect the Nations largest estuary. the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay comprises six States and the District of Columbia as part of its watershed. The scientists have told us that the health of the Chesapeake Bay is in~grave danger unless we take action now. Almost 50 percent of the excessive nutrient pollution in the Chesapeake Bay comes from the runoff from farm operations. Our farmers want to be part of the solution to this problem. This bill provides farmers on the more than 66.000 farms in the Chesapeake Bay watershed with the tools they need to help protect the Chesapeake Bay. It represents a historic leap in Federal support for our efforts to protect this national natural treasure. the Chesapeake Bay. Mr. Chairman. I want to thank again the members of the committee for taking this landmark step with respect to Chesapeake Bay protection. It is a national treasure. It is a bay. of course. in the backyard of our Nations Capital. We need to lead by example. I thank the chairman. and I thank the committee. Mr. Chairman. I urge adoption of this bill.
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: HERSETH SANDLIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the distinguished chairman for yielding for the purpose of a colloquy. Chairman PETERSON. as you know. I have introduced legislation with the support of over 50 colleagues to fund the reducedprice school meal pilot. authorized in the 2004 Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act through the efforts of the Education and Labor Committee. My legislation also enjoys support from a broad range of organizations that feel. like I do. that many lowincome children across the country arent participating in the school nutrition programs because they cannot afford the reduced fee. My legislation would provide the resources needed to test the effectiveness of harmonizing the WIC -income guidelines. which are 185 percent of poverty guidelines. with the free school lunch guidelines. thereby eliminating the reducedprice meal category and expanding eligibility for free school meals. While this proposal wasnt included in the committee bill due to its cost and committee jurisdictional concerns. I would welcome the opportunity to keep working with you and see how we might accomplish the objective of the legislation.
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: HERSETH SANDLIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentlemaii very much for his commitment and support for this initiative. It will obviously be very helpful going forward.
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. as a member of the Committee on Homeland Security and a conferee on this legislation. I rise in strong support of the Conference report on H.R. 1. the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. This report implements several of the 9/11 Commissions key recommendations. including increasing the amount of Homeland Security grant funding that is distributed based on risk. This extremely important change will ensure that the states at the- highest risk for terrorist attacks will have the needed resources to prepare for and respond to attacks. I am also particularly pleased that this report increases the authorized funding for the Emergency Management Performance Grant program which provides all hazards preparedness funding to States. I have been a longtime advocate of increasing EMPG funding. to ensure that all of our communities have the ability to prepare for any disaster. natural or manmade. There are many other excellent provisions in this conference report. including the establishment of an office of appeals and redress at TSA and a Quadrennial Homeland Security Review of the national Homeland Security Strategy. I urge my colleagues.to support this conference report.
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Thank you very much. Madam Speaker. on Monday. the House will meet at 10:30 a.m. for morninghour business and noon for legislative business. with votes rolled until 6:30 p.m. In addition to several bills. under suspension of the rules. a list of which will be announced by the close of business today. we will consider H.R. 986. the Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act. and H.R. 2831. the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. On Tuesday. the House will meet at 9 a.m. for morninghour business and 10 a.m. for legislative business. On Wednesday and Thursday the House will- meet at. 10 a.m. On Friday the House will meet at 9 a.m. We will consider the FY08 Agriculture appropriations bill. the FY08 Department of Defense appropriations. bill. the Childrens Health and Medicare Protection Act. and energy independence legislation.
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

We do not yet know what the rule will look like. We will be consulting with the Rules "Committee and the Chair of the respective committees and we will be able to determine that at that point.
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

That is also a decision that has not yet been made. The Rules Committee will be consulted as well as the Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

We are considering a numbeir of different possibilities. and those decisions. in terms of substance. have not yet been reached.
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Those decisions have not yet been made. but it is possible that we will consider an Iraq vote sometime during next week.
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

In the event that we do not complete the agenda that is ambitious for next week. Members should make plans to possibly be here on Saturday.
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank my friend from Virginia for his comments. and we certainly couldnt agree more on the importance of that. We have been looking at various ways that we can address those concerns. The majority is absolutely concerned about addressing the whole issue of terrorism and making sure that we can close every possible loophole that might be slipped through by a terrorist.
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

We think the gentlemans characterization of the timing of that is a bit of a stretch. We do believe that that is an important issue to address. With the ambitious agenda that we have next week and the priorities that have been laid out. it is unlikely that we will get to the FDA issue next week. but we will be dealing with it as soon as possible.
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

We certainly do not. which is why we plan to make that a priority and deal with it as soon as we possibly can.
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today. it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Monday next formorninghour debate.
Date: 2007-07-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that the business in order under the Calendar Wednesday rule be dispensed with on Wednesday next.
Date: 2007-07-30
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in jubilant support of H. Rees. 471. recognizing the Anaheim Ducks and their victory over the Ottawa Senators in the National Hockey League Stanley Cup Finals. I applaud the Houses consideration of this exciting measure. The Ottawa Senators proved to be worthy opponents. but they were no match for the hard hitting. exciting brand of hockey of Ducks general manager Brian Burke and head coach Randy Carlyle. The 62 win to clinch the title was a display of solid teamwork as five different Ducks scored goals. The Ducks teamwork was buttressed by the awe inspiring defensive work of Scott Niedermayer. who was honored as the most valuable player of the NHL postseason. Their work is a true accomplishment. Not only did the Anaheim Ducks bring the Stanley Cup to Anaheim for the first time. but they are the first team from Califomia to win it all. With that. Mr. Speaker. we congratulate the Anaheim Ducks for their marvelous play and celebrate their victory in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals.
Date: 2007-07-30
Speaker: BARBARA LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

for her leadership in introducing this bill. which is intended to deepen our educational cooperation with our neighbors in the Caribbean. H.R. 176 authorizes the-.creation of the Shirley A. Chisholm U.S.-Caribbean Educational Exchange Program to help provide U.S. educational opportunities to qualified students from the countries of the Caribbean community. It also authorizes State and USAID to expand existing primary and secondary school initiatives in the Caribbean to provide programs on teacher training methods. school management. July 30..2007 curriculum development. and increase community involvement in school activities. Increasing the quality of educational opportunities available to our good neighbors in the Caribbean serves the interests of our entire region. and deepens the goodwill that already exists between the people of our countries. I want to thank Congresswoman LEE and Chairman LANTOS for working with me at the committee level to incorporate language ensuring that state sponsors of terrorism do -not receive the benefits provided under this bill. The committee also amended the text to authorize such sums as may be necessary rather than a sum certain for the new programs. This will help ensure that any new activities under the act will not disrupt those educational and exchange programs already being implemented in the region by the State Department and USAID. Again. I thank my colleagues for their cooperation in preparing this bill for floor consideration. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2007-07-30
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of the Shirley Chisholm U.S.-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act of 2007. I would like to thank Congresswoman BARBARA LEE and her continued commitment to the Caribbean and education. This legislation helps bridge the educational gap in the Caribbean by creating an educational exchange program for Caribbean students to study in the United States. Caribbean Nations suffer from high poverty rates. high unemployment rates. and low literacy rates. These conditions have left most Caribbean students faced with the hard choice of education or work. and most are forced to choose work in order to proVide for themselves and their families. Educational exchange programs allow Caribbean students to provide opportunities to learn necessary skills for leadership and career success. explore cultural issues. and promotes dialogue of community and/or social relevance. Education is the building block that creates a sound foundation for success and develops strong democratic values. These exchange programs allow students to return to their native homes. to contribute to the success of their nation. This bill also creates new programs to improve primary and secondary education through teacher training. Teacher preparedness and education management is vital to any education system. Providing high quality teachers in critical subject areas is the most important components in building a strong educational structure. Many Caribbean leaders have received education in the United States. and have used their education to strengthen Caribbean democracy and community involvement. This legislation will help to continue strengthen U.S.-Caribbean relations. I strongly urge my colleagues support in passage this bill.
Date: 2007-07-30
Speaker: HERSETH SANDLIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong. support of H.R. 2874. and Id like to once again thank Chairman FILNER for his focused and effective leadership in advancing this important legislation. Ranking Member BUYER and especially subcommittee Chairman MICHAUD and Ranking Member MILLER are also to be commended for their hard work and bipartisanship and for including Services to Prevent Homelessness Act. a bill which I introduced. in the Veterans Health Care Improvement Act. This legislation would authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to provide and coordinate the provision of supportive services that address the needs of very lowincome veterans occupying permanent housing. While Federal programs exist. to help enhanced veterans homeownership. there is no national housing assistance program targeted to lowincome veterans. Permanent housing opportunities for veterans ready for independent living are limited. In addition. the VA currently is not permitted to -provide grants for affordable permanent housing. and the resources that are available for providers are inadequate and highly sought after by competing housing programs. So I thank the chairman once again for supporting this legislation. I thank the committee staff on both sides of the aisle for their excellent work as well on this bill and others considered today. and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the Veterans Affairs Committee to support efforts to meet the housing assistance needs. among other needs. of our Nations lowincome veterans. I urge my colleagues to support H.R.
Date: 2007-07-30
Speaker: PATRICK J. MURPHY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Penn

sylvania. Mr. Speaker. I thank the chairman. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to give voice to a terrible injustice. On any given night in America. nearly 200.000 veterans go homeless and twice as many will go homeless over the course of the year. This is shameful. In my district in southeastern Pennsylvania. this problem is very real. There are more than 3.300 homeless veterans in Pennsylvania and at least 550 in the greater Philadelphia area alone. These are veterans who saw combat in World War II. Korea. Vietnam. Afghanistan and Iraq. As someone who spent 10 years in the Army and walked the streets of Baghdad. I cannot stand by while more of my fellow soldiers go hungry and seek shelter. Over the last 3 years. as many as 1.300 veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan have participated in homeless outreach programs by the VA in their community. Who knows how many others went without help. Thats why.. Mr. Speaker. I proudly supportthe Veterans Health Care Improvement Act. which looks after those who have sacrificed so much for our country. This muchneeded bill makes permanent a program to identify atrisk servicemembers to prevent them from ever becoming homeless once they leave the military. With the rapidly increasing number of women veterans. the bill also instructs the VA to make their programs for homeless veterans more accommodating for female veterans. I was proud to introduce these important provisions. and I thank the gentleman from California . and the gentleman from Maine . for bringing this bill to the floor and their leadership on this issue: These brave American veterans. whoonce faced down our enemies. shouldnt have to face one more night out on the street.
Date: 2007-07-30
Speaker: HERSETH SANDLIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a competitive grant program for the Puget Sound area to provide comprehensive conservation planning to address water quality.
Date: 2007-07-30
Speaker: HERSETH SANDLIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. 41 Mr. Speaxkeir henPuget Sound is home to over 4milljon..people and numerous species of fish. birds and other wildlife. It is the economic and environmental driver of the region and an ecological wonder. Sadly. the health of this national treasure has been steadily in decline. The water quality is suffering with areas of deadly low oxygen and levels of harmful toxics that are now being detected in some aquatic species. . However. there is hope. The State of Washington has been leading the charge in fighting this problem and working to restore the Sound to where it should be. This legislation will provide critical support to those efforts by developing a comprehensive conservation project to help determine the right conservation planning efforts for local agricultural producers. It will provide the capacity that local conservation districts simply dont have in meeting the unique challenges of the Sound. This project would mirror others that have occurred or are occurring in nationally -important watersheds. . Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2007-07-30
Speaker: HERSETH SANDLIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Washington. . an original cosponsor of the bill.
Date: 2007-07-30
Speaker: HERSETH SANDLIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

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 just adopted.