macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-30
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of S. 3140. a bill to permanently authorize Radio Free Asia. and for other purposes. I thank my colleague Senator LUGAR for introducing this important bill that reasserts our commitment to a free press and freedom of speech in Asia and throughout the world. Freedom of the press is one of our most cherished values and enshrined in our first amendment. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. or abridging the freedom of speech. or of the press. or the right of the people peaceably to assemble. and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." I believe it is one of the most valuable and fundamental rights written in the Constitution. as it grants us as people the ability to speak truth to tyranny. In the United States we often take this freedom for granted. but in many countries throughout the world it does not exist at all. or exists only on paper and not in practice. Thus the United States has long sought to expand this freedom throughout the world. promoting free speech and freedom of information in places where governments have strangled their peoples ability to speak their minds. Most notably during the Cold War. Radio Free Europe was one of the many tools the United States used to try and reach out to those behind the Iron Curtain. who were deprived of information and whose right to speak their minds freely was severely curtailed. Radio Free Asia. RFA. attempts to do the same for the people of Asia whose freedom of speech and press. particularly in China and North Korea. has been stifled by increasingly restrictive government policies. The consistent and continued attempts on behalf of these governments to block and jam RFAs broadcasts are a testament to their value and effectiveness. Like a cool breeze drafting through a hot. stifled room. RFA is a breath of fresh air to those who are deprived of information and afraid to speak freely. Creatively using shortwave broadcasts and the Internet. RFA has been able to circumvent many of the restrictive tactics of oppressive governments. often relying on the ingenuity and intelligence of local listeners themselves to spread the word. But RFA needs more time and more resources to do its job right. It is of paramount importance that Radio Free Asia continue its broadcasts in the future. until its implementation is made obsolete by its own success in promoting freedom of information in the countries it currently serves. According to Freedom House. freedom of the press is in decline almost everywhere in the world. making Radio Free Asias services that much more vital in reaffirming this Congress concern for the freedom of people around the globe. I am glad that the Congress has decided to continue the important work of the RFA and to promote freedom to our oppressed brethren in Asia.
Date: 2010-07-01
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise to share some news with the Members of the House. Members of the House. we thought it only right to continue our efforts to have the women show up the men. Our bipartisan congressional womens softball team had another amazingly successful softball game to raise money for the Young Survival Coalition. It was our second annual game. In the last 2 years. we have raised more than $80.000 for the Young Survival Coalition. We think that is not bad for 49 years of a congressional baseball game and 2 years of a congressional womens softball game to do pretty well in that time. This year we got smart and decided to play women that were maybe a little less athletic and a little older than the team we played last year. and we played the Capitol female press corps. We were doing great until the sixth inning. Then a couple of us got a little tired. and we had a couple of ringers that we were concerned the press brought in. But. in fairness. they did a fantastic job. even though we lost 137. Congratulations to the press team. The press team did a fantastic job. They were devoted and dedicated and worked hard. I yield to my colleague.
Date: 2010-07-01
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. CARDOZA. I thank you for sharing with us what is not a funny anecdotal story or cartoon. I think from your words you are saying to the American people that their predicament is not a cartoon. And it is interesting when one of my colleagues comes to the floor of the House and poses a question. What do we say to the unemployed mother or what do we say to the person who is trying to manage themselves and pay their mortgage? Or what do you say to the caller that called in I believe from Florida this morning on CSPAN and said hes laid off from a furniture store that closed and he is looking for work. And if I might paraphrase him. he said something about getting off our rears here in Congress and helping him. Why are we blocking his unemployment insurance? Now. I can quote a lot of statistics. and somebody said something about numbers of individuals who are unemployed. There are doubledigit communities with high unemployment. 13 percent. 15 percent. 16 percent. high numbers among our youth in their twenties. recent college graduates. individuals who are likewise looking for work as those who have been employed and are now unemployed. Ladies and gentlemen. unemployment insurance is the prerogative. it is the owned by the worker who has worked. Unemployment insurance is what this is called. Why do the Republicans want to block it. why do the Republicans in the other body stand against unemployment insurance. this is an outrage. There is no explanation for it. For the people who can get unemployment insurance. they are paying their mortgage. It churns back into the economy. They are buying groceries. Theyre paying car payments. Maybe they will have an opportunity to keep a young person in a community college by putting their pennies together. But here we stand today having to go back again because the Republicans had the audacity to vote against unemployment insurance coverage. So to the man who is saying. Im going out looking for a job every day. to the mother who is saying. I am looking for a job every day. no hope is being given to them. This is not explainable. So I am on the floor today. because we must go forward on a supplemental. Maybe my colleagues will join me and vote against the war supplemental so we will be able to balance the budget. But if they are not going to be serious about saving money. they cannot stop the vote to help provide unemployment insurance for Americans out of work. We have created 200.000 jobs in the last month. some are public jobs. but you cannot get the privatesector engaged until you begin to see the churning of the overall economy. The Federal Government is the umbrella for a rainy day. We are in a rainy day. But I have faith in this Nation. We always rise. We are going to rise now. We are going to stand with the unemployed so they can soon get work and we are going to give this money to them today. And I dare my Republican friends to vote against this effort to help our fellow Americans.
Date: 2010-07-01
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to offer my strong support for the passage of H.R. 5618. the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act. Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits have expired as of June 1st. leaving millions of Americans without the financial lifeline they rely upon. Each week that Congress fails to pass this extension. another 200.000 Americans lose their benefits. These are not people freeloading off the government. They had jobs. and the years that they worked are reflected in the weeks of benefits they receive. They are also required to look for work in order to receive benefits. With a 9.9% unemployment rate. job prospects remain dismal for the unemployed. With hundreds of applicants for each opening. some hiring managers have even gone so far to exclude the unemployed from applying within their job advertisements. Without this extension hundreds of thousands of Americans will fall into poverty. Many more will have to make the excruciating choice between basic needs for their family. choices such as going without food or medicine in order to pay the rent or mortgage. Economists have pointed to the economic value of unemployment insurance benefits. These are dollars that are going back into the market. raising consumption and creating jobs. If we allow millions of Americans to slip into economic peril. it will only serve to hurt the economy and stall the recovery. This is economically important and ethically important. and I fully support the immediate passage of the restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits.
Date: 2010-07-01
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

and Messrs. EDWARDS of Texas and RUPPERSBERGER changed their vote from "no" to "aye." So the motion to table was agreed to. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. Stated against:
Date: 2010-07-01
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I hope that we will have an opportunity to do something we have not been able to do. and that is to debate the Afghan war and the direction that this war is taking and the impact on our men and women on the front lines. I particularly want to say to the families how much we appreciate the sacrifice that youve made as these men and women stand on the front lines of Afghanistan. But I think were long overdue for a major debate that has to do with that direction. I support this underlying rule for the purpose of allowing us to have this debate. but also that it provides. on the domestic spending. crucial issues. Pell Grants will be provided for in $4.95 billion. border security that impacts the northern and southern border so that we can stand as we do comprehensive immigration reform and assure the American people that we will secure our boarders. In the most catastrophic oil spill from the region that I come. the tsunami of oil spills. we are taking care of the people by providing $304 million for the gulf coast oil spill. including moneys for unemployment assistance. Then. coming from the region I belong to. as well. we had a tragedy at Fort Hood. and we are now rebuilding the Fort Hood processing center that saw a terrible loss of life because of terrorism. FEMA disaster. This is the most vigorous season that you could have ever imagined that is to be expected in hurricanes. and we know. among other disasters. well have the money here. But were also going to say to the youth of America when we vote on this. were providing money for summer youth jobs. $1 billion in youth jobs that we in the Congressional Black Caucusand many Members joined usare fighting for. This is a crucial step forward. Were providing for black farmers who have been discriminated against over the years. And then. as I have indicated. we will have an opportunity to question not the men and women in Afghanistan or Iraq. but to question whether or not it is wise to focus on insurgents versus terrorists so that we send men and women into harms way without a discerning goal.
Date: 2010-07-01
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentleman. I will tell you. ladies and gentlemen. when you begin to fight those who are classified as your neighborsand I dont use that term loosely. The Taliban live in Afghanistan. And whenever you determine to fight those individuals. it makes it very difficult to win this war.
Date: 2010-07-01
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

The gentleman has his own time. I appreciate it. I am concluding. And finally. let me say that I offered an amendment to maintain NASA human space exploration and the funding as it was. I look forward to working with this Congress and the Democrats to make sure that happens.
Date: 2010-07-01
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentleman. And let me publicly apologize to the gentleman. I was rushing. I wanted to make sure I mentioned NASA. But let me say that. yes. I am aware. and I am enthusiastic about that language. And I thank the leadership for it because. in fact. it is celebrated and supported by 40plus school districts in Texas to prevent the Governor of the State of Texas from misusing education dollars. as they have been misused before. This is money that will be effectively used for the schoolchildren of the State of Texas. And I thank the gentleman.
Date: 2010-07-01
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Reclaiming my time. what Im aware of is that this language is supported by at least 40 school districts that support the money being able to come directly to them or not being used if it is not used for education. Additionally. this language only includes education funding not stimulus dollars. So it will not artificially increase any costs to the taxpayers. The school districts will benefit from the Governor having to use federal education dollars for education.
Date: 2010-07-01
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to come before you today in support of H. Res. 1500. a rule providing for H.R. 4899. the "Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010."-a bill that will help create jobs for Americans and provide assistance in Iraq. Afghanistan. and Haiti. I want to thank Chairman OBEY and Ranking Member LEWIS for their leadership on this timely legislation. Clearly. this is an important bill and must be only amended with items that are essential to provide the necessary assistance this country so greatly needs. H.R. 4899 will provide funding for the needs of the American people. from national security. housing. employment. health. to education. I fully support these efforts and want to stress that we must continue to provide policies and funding that ensure that the United States remains a global leader in science and technology. including space exploration. which not only results in knowledgebuilding. but also in hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout the nation. Mr. Speaker. this supplemental appropriation is quite different from any other supplemental appropriation that members of this body will ever consider. This supplemental appropriations bill provides over $37.47 billion to support our troops. over $24 billion to keep teachers. firefighters and law enforcement personnel on the job while states continue to recover from the recession. over $13 billion for Vietnam veterans and survivors exposed to Agent Orange. $5.7 billion for PELL. $2.8 billion for Haiti. $677 million border security. $275 million for the Gulf Coast oil spill including unemployment benefits program and unemployment assistance related to the oil spill and an oil spill relief employment program that are underway for the selfemployed businessman and women who were greatly impacted by the Gulf Coast oil spill. No price is too great to pay. Mr. Speaker. when it comes to doing what is necessary to aid our country. This bill must only be amended with key items that are critical to adequately address this nations needs. I am therefore. offering several amendments to H.R. 4899.
Date: 2010-07-01
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I thank you for the opportunity to explain my amendment to H.R. 4899-"Supplemental Appropriations Act 2010." H.R. 4899 will provide funding for the needs of the American people. from national security. housing. employment. health. to education. I fully support these efforts and want to stress that we must continue to provide policies and funding that ensure that the United States remains a global leader in science and technology. including space exploration. which not only results in knowledgebuilding but also in hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout the nation. My amendment would ensure: all managed funding for the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) NASA Constellation programs will be maintained through fiscal year 2015 with the assumption that the Constellation program will continue: (2) U.S. human space flight systems shall be lead by the U.S. government to ensure crew safety and to ensure skill. capabilities and institutional knowledge attributable to NASA and ISS can be retained by the U.S. for the appropriate time. (3) strengthen partnerships between universities and NASA centers. and (4) ensure a protocol for commercial human space flight utilization shall be established. The Presidents proposed FY2011 budget eliminates funding for a portion of the Constellation Program which includes the Orion Crew Capsule. the Altair Lunar Lander. and the Ares I and Ares V rockets. Earlier this year. I introduced H. Res. 1150. "Designating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a national security Interest and Asset." and stating findings that the elimination of funding for the NASA Constellation program in the Presidents proposed FY 2011 budget presents national security concerns. It is critical that managed funding for the NASA Constellation programs is maintained through fiscal year 2015 as: 1. Elimination of the Constellation programs will present Homeland Security implications for Cyberspace. critical infrastructure. and Intelligence community of the United States. 2. Elimination of the Constellation programs will compromise the effectiveness of the International Space Station as it relates to the strategic importance of space station research. and intelligence. and 3. Continuation of NASAs Constellation program is crucial to maintaining thousands of American jobs and the U.S.s leadership role and technological edge as well as securing valuable knowledge that improves national security. climate. and research in science and medicine.
Date: 2010-07-01
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

I want to thank the gentlewoman for offering this amendment and for yielding me time. This is an important amendment. The time has come to understand what is taking place in Afghanistan and the incredible price that our soldiers are paying in that country and the incredible price that the American taxpayer is paying to fund this war. Weve got to understand that the ingredients for victory. as people identify it and discuss it and describe it. are simply not present in Afghanistan: The idea that we would expand the franchise of an honest central government to the countryside so we could stabilize the countryside. There is no honest central government in Afghanistan. Its rife with corruption. including the President of the country and his family and his relatives and his warlords and his ministers. and thats got to stop. The idea that we are going to get help from the neighbors. Were getting minimal help from the Pakistanis. Were getting no help of any consequence from the Russians or the Chinese or the Indians because theyre all engaged in the same game. They are protecting their position while America bleeds. while America bleeds the blood of our soldiers. while our Treasury bleeds the dollars of our taxpayers. and thats been going on and on and on and on. We know how these Taliban were created. We know who supported them. We know the double accounting they do. We know the protections that they run. We know the sanctuaries that they provide them. And yet our soldiers are required to go in and ferret it out over and over and over again. Were told that we are going to develop this nation. that if we bring development. well have peace in Pakistan. One of the first requests from the generals 8 years ago. 9 years ago was to send smallscale agriculture. You know what the request is 9. 10 years later? Send smallscale agriculture. Get us a police force that is honest. Get us troops that are honest. that will fight. None of that has been matched. But what has been matched is the death and the maiming and the injuries of our American soldiers. It is time to bring them home.
Date: 2010-07-13
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 3976. an act that seeks to amend the National Great Black Americans Commemoration Act of 2004 to authorize more appropriations through the fiscal year of 2015. I also want to thank my colleague. Representative ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS. for introducing this important legislation. Today we acknowledge the success and importance of the Great Blacks in Wax Museum. Inc.. and seek to provide it with appropriations. This bill will amend the National Great Black Americans Commemoration Act of 2004 to extend the authorization of appropriations for grants to the Great Blacks in Wax Museum. Inc.. in Baltimore. Maryland. through 2015. This bill will also carry out programs related to civil rights and juvenile justice through the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum and Justice Learning Center. The National Great Black Americans Commemoration Act of 2004 (Public Law 108238. 118 Stat. 670672) directs the Attorney General to make a grant to the Great Blacks in Wax Museum. Inc.. in Baltimore. Maryland. to be used only for carrying out programs relating to civil rights and juvenile justice through the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum and Justice Learning Center. To receive a grant. the Great Blacks in Wax Museum. Inc.. shall submit to the Attorney General a proposal for the use of the grant. which shall include detailed plans for such programs. The founders of the museum outlined four specific areas that they meant for the museum to cover. First. according to a mission statement they wrote. the founders of the museum wanted the Great Blacks in Wax Museum to stimulate an interest in AfricanAmerican history by revealing the littleknown. oftenneglected facts of history. Second. the museum was intended to use great leaders as role models to motivate youth to achieve. Third. the museum should improve race relations by dispelling myths of racial inferiority and superiority. Lastly. the museum supports and works in conjunction with other nonprofit. charitable organizations to seek to improve the social and economic status of African Americans. The museums goals are important to achieve in our society. It is important that we cherish and appreciate our history while looking to the future. In the process of this remembrance. we can work for a brighter future. For the foregoing reasons. I stand with Representative ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS in support of this act. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.