macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-21
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of S. 1963. the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009. As Members of Congress. we do have a responsibility to provide the best support we can to our Nations veterans. With provisions for caregiver support. rural health improvement and mental health benefits. there are many reasons why I support this legislation. I could speak at length about these important and necessary benefits. However. in the interest of time. I would like to highlight just one: health care for women veterans. While more and more women are joining the military. the VAs health care services for women veterans have not kept pace. Although approximately 14 percent of our troops are female. as a female veteran recently said in an interview with Good Housekeeping magazine. it is as if women are "Martians. abnormalities descending on the VA health system." In fact. of the countrys 153 VA medical centers. only about half even have a gynecologist on staff. This is despite the fact that between 23 and 29 percent of all female veterans seeking medical care through the VA have reported experiencing sexual assault. Is it any surprise. then. that the number of female veterans being treated for posttraumatic stress disorder rose from 1 to 19 percent in only 4 years? For this reason. my colleague. Representative HERSETH SANDLIN. and I introduced H.R. 1211. the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act. Although the Senate has not acted on our legislation. I am happy to see some of the key provisions. like studying the barriers preventing women veterans from receiving VA health care and developing a plan to improve that care for women veterans both immediately and in the long term. that actually made it into this bill.
Date: 2010-04-21
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to join others in expressing our support for House Resolution 1216. congratulating our Chaplain. the Reverend Daniel Coughlin. on his 10th year of distinguished service to the United States House of Representatives. I think the only thing Father Coughlin is going to be upset about is that were going to reveal his age here on the floor today. Since the very first Congress. Members of the House have benefited from the services of chaplains and ministers. Throughout history. they have helped all of us. the individuals serving in the Congress. They have helped us navigate our responsibilities to the American people. and they have aided us in our quest to integrate faith and reason in our execution of the law. As has been mentioned. Father Coughlin is the first Roman Catholic House Chaplain. Following after the Reverend James Ford. Father Coughlin has diligently. humbly. compassionately. and intelligently served this House. its Members. our families. and this Nation. Born during the Great Depression. Father Coughlin has a prestigious record. one that demonstrates his deep desire to heal a broken society. A graduate of St. Mary of the Lake University in Illinois. he was ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago in the spring of 1960. In addition to serving as a pastor and as a director in various offices within the Chicago diocese. Father Coughlin has studied world religions. has lived with Trappist monks. has worked with the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta. India. and has served as scholarinresidence at the North American College in Rome. We wouldnt ask him which of those he enjoyed the most and whether it was more difficult working among the Members of Congress or living with the Trappist monks. As a matter of fact. I recall that no one has ever compared us to the Trappist monks. In March 2000. he was sworn in during the 106th Congress as the 59th Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker. as you can see. Father Coughlin has brought a wealth of experience. education. and discernment to this House. We have all benefited from his wisdom. from his patience. and from his kindness. We are right to honor the 10 years of service that Father Coughlin has given us thus far. and I believe that we all wish him many more days with us as we deliberate in the peoples body of this softgoverning Republic. There is no doubt we need his help. I thank the sponsor of the resolution. Congressman LIPINSKI. and I thank the chairman of our subcommittee for bringing this resolution to the floor. I would urge my colleagues to vote in support of this resolution. Hopefully. we will get a unanimous vote. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-04-21
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. now it is my pleasure to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin . a distinguished Episcopalian Member of this House who is also a heartfelt friend and admirer of Father Coughlin.
Date: 2010-04-21
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. it is somewhat ironic that we are recognizing Father Coughlins service to our Nation and to this House as the Chaplain of the House of Representatives in the same week that a Federal judge has instructed us that the National Day of Prayer is somehow unconstitutional. I look and I see. Mr. Speaker. over your head the words "In God we trust." the national motto. which indicates that one does not have to be a person of faith to be an American citizen. But the idea of the worth of the individual and the idea that the rights of the individual came from God and not from some monarch is essential to the understanding of the beginnings of this Republic. And from the beginnings of this Republic we have had a Chaplain ministering to the needs of the Members. It is not a new idea or novel idea. It is an idea that is firmly entrenched in the tradition of this institution and this country. Father Coughlin has been a great example of that tradition. And we hope he continues. I might say that he ministers to all of us no matter what party of which we are a member. but I sort of enjoy the fact that he ministers to those of us on this side since I found myself in the minority on most of the years I have served here. and therefore by definition the underdog. So when I met Father Coughlins great mother. who is dedicated to the great underdog of all time. the Chicago Cubs. I felt some kinship. And I thought it interesting just a couple of years ago when Father told me that his mother. in her nineties. still serves as an usher at Wrigley Field. But to show you the ability that Father has to take a situation that may be fraught with some peril and give guidance. he told me that he finally convinced his mother that she should not be ushering both ends of a doubleheader. So that we do understand that she now goes home after the first game of a doubleheader at Wrigley Field. It is that type of pragmatic guidance. combined with the great spiritual principles. that makes him such a great friend to all of us here in the House of Representatives. and allows us to do our job with a little more civility than we otherwise would. understanding that what we do is important. maybe were not that important. even though we might be from time to time in our minds. He reminds us of transcendent values and helps us through very difficult days with an objective of helping us to do the peoples business here in the House of Representatives. It is a pleasure and a privilege for me to serve in the House of Representatives. It is a privilege and a pleasure for me to have the friendship of Father Coughlin and the assistance of Father Coughlin as he gives that to all of us who serve here. And so I would hope that all Members would join us in supporting House Resolution 1216. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-04-22
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

With all of this talk about another big bank bailout and protecting companies that are too big to fail. I think we need to bring things back into perspective. The government should not be in the business of picking winners and losersespecially not at the expense of the American taxpayer. America was built on freedom and free enterprise. Our Founding Fathers never envisioned a Big Brother government so entrenched in the private sector that it would prop up companies like Fannie and Freddie. rescue Wall Street. bail out AIG. and own car companies. What incentive does a corporation have to be responsible to its employees. customers. communities. and shareholders if it knows Uncle Sam is going to be there to pick up the pieces when it falls apart? With unemployment at 10 percent and companies hesitant to hire new workers. I think the Democrats should realize its time to stop playing CEO with taxpayer dollars.
Date: 2010-04-27
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. the biggest issue on the minds of the American people is jobs. So imagine my surprise when I took another look at the socalled health care reform bill and found a provision which is just another jobkiller provision. Beginning in 2012 under section 9006 of the Obama care bill. any company. large or small. that purchases more than $600 worth of goods or services from any corporation during the previous year will be required now to file a 1099 with the government and with that company. That means you have to keep track of all the food that you buy. the paint that you buy. the secretarial supplies that you buy. and then you have to give this information to the government. Not because of any obligation on your part to pay something but on the part of the other individual. The assumption is that everybody else cheats. and so what this is. is nothing more than a universal snitch tax. It requires all Americans to give up information on somebody else. Repeal this nonsense. Get rid of this burden. Save small business. and cosponsor H.R. 5141.
Date: 2010-04-27
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of this legislation. providing Members of Congress shall not receive a cost of living adjustment in pay during fiscal year 2011. sponsored by the gentleman from Arizona . actually mirroring language that the gentleman from Texas has had before our body for some period of time. Both gentlemen have worked on this together. it is my understanding. Across the country. we know that there are serious issues plaguing Americans. mainly a deteriorating economy and very high unemployment rates. In my home State. the underemployment rate is over 20 percent. In my district. Sacramento County has an unemployment rate of 12.9 percent. which is actually lower than some of the cities in my district. The city of Galt. for example. has an unemployment rate of 15 percent. So it goes without saying that things are not well in our economy and people are suffering. As Americans around the country are struggling and sacrificing to make ends meet. it appears that we in Congress should not be immune. Other institutions are doing likewise. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court recently announced in his YearEnd Report for the Judiciary that he would not be requesting the usual salary increase for Federal judges given that "so many of our fellow citizens have been touched by hardship." The President has also announced a pay freeze for top White House officials and other appointees in the Federal Government. Mr. Speaker. recently in this House we passed H. Res. 1257. supporting the goals and ideals of National Financial Literacy Month. 2010. This legislation sought to raise public awareness about financial education through highlighting the importance of maintaining and managing personal finances. increasing personal savings. and reducing indebtedness in the United States. Some would ask whether we in Congress ought to undertake that same examination with respect to our spending in this House and our spending overall on the Federal budget. At a time when we are passing resolutions telling Americans to be more cognizant of their financial situation. their debt. their savings. we do need to do the same in the House. Millions of Americans are not getting a pay raise this year. Many. unfortunately. are not even getting paychecks. Under these circumstances. Congress must forgo a pay raise to save the hardworking taxpayers and hardlooking job seekers in this country a little of their money. Relative to the overall Federal budget. this single act doesnt have that great an impact. But any dollar. any Federal dollar. is something that we should treat with utmost responsibility because it comes to us in a sense involuntarily from our constituents. It comes through taxes or future taxes to pay for current debts. So under these circumstances I think most of my colleagues. if not all of my colleagues. would agree that this is the time for us to forgo a pay raise. I would urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-04-27
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. at this time I would like to yield 5 minutes to the indomitable distinguished gentleman from Texas . who has worked on this issue for some time.
Date: 2010-04-27
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I yield 2 minutes to the pride of the Coast Guard. the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina .
Date: 2010-04-27
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I have no further requests for time. I would just urge my colleagues to support this resolution. This is appropriate at this particular time. I think all Members of Congress recognize the difficult economic straits we are in. It is a simple resolution. It forgoes the pay raise for the year 2011. and I would urge my colleagues to support it. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-04-28
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

During these tough economic times. many people are experiencing financial uncertainty. Thats why on Saturday. May 8. at 9 a.m. in Plano. Texas. I will host a free workshop titled Recession Proofing Your Resources. I will host the free seminar in conjunction with Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas. Unplanned emergencies like job loss. illness. natural disaster. or death can be overwhelming and financially taxing. Financial knowledge and a sound financial contingency plan are vital to ensuring that you and your family come out of this fiscal crisis in the black. Fortunately. there are ways to plan for unexpected life changes. An expert will be on hand to show people how to learn more. Visit SamJohnson.house.gov or you may RSVP by calling my Texas office in Richardson.
Date: 2010-04-29
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to my friend. the distinguished ranking member of the Rules Committee. the gentleman from California .
Date: 2010-04-29
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I support the historic underlying legislation being brought to the floor today. Again. I commend Mr. PIERLUISI and Governor Fortuno. In order to rightly return. however. to the open rule precedent set by the Republicans in 1998. I will be asking for a "no" vote on the previous question so that we can amend this rule and allow the House to consider the Puerto Rico Democracy Act under an open rule. Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment and extraneous materials immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.
Date: 2010-04-29
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Chairman. as an original cosponsor of H.R. 2499. the Puerto Rico Democracy Act. I stand here proudly in support of this bill. I am somewhat surprised by some of the criticism registered here. I understand how we can have differences of opinion. but to suggest that somehow this undermines the authority of the Congress of the United States or that it is somehow contrary to the Constitution is just beyond the pale as far as I can see. As the gentleman who just spoke before me said. this is an attempt to get an idea of how the people of Puerto Rico feel about this very important issue. They are American citizens. People have raised all sorts of scenarios about what may or may not happen. Go back and look at how other States have been admitted to the Union. Ultimately. the decision is made by this Congress. I remember reading about Utah. When they were a territory. Utah wasnt accepted in the Union until they changed a certain policy on marriage. It was an extraordinary change that was required. but that was what happened. Congress didnt supinely stand here or lay down there and say. Oh. yes. Youve said you want to be a State. Therefore. we take no action. This is a way of our getting a measure of the sentiment of the people of Puerto Rico. I dont see why we should be upset about that. I know there are some outside observers who have suggested that somehow this undermines the Constitution and that somehow there is the Tennessees plot. Examine the history of Tennessee. Examine the history of the response of Congress. It is absolutely historically factual that Congress decides under what terms a new State will be formed. when and if we will accept a new State. So all I am saying is allow this to go forward. Allow us to find out what the sentiment is here. Our good friend Luis Fortuno is not someone who shows little respect for the Constitution. Pass this bill.
Date: 2010-04-29
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Madam Speaker. I rise today to honor Adriana Selvaggio. A devoted mother and renowned physician. Dr. Selvaggio has committed the majority of her adult life to serving others. Born to Italian immigrants. Dr. Selvaggio came from a modest upbringing. Her father was a baker and worked hard to support her and her five brothers and sisters. After graduating from Hampton High School. at the behest of her parents. Dr. Selvaggio postponed college to help support her family. However. she never lost sight of her desire to further her education. She eventually left home to pursue her degree at Penn State University. She completed her bachelors degree in science in just two years. Completing her bachelors degree in just two years was only the beginning of Dr. Selvaggios long list of accolades and accomplishments. She applied that same work ethic and determination to her studies at Temple Medical School and Boston University Hospital. Highly regarded by her colleagues as one of the countrys top doctors in the field of Nephrology. she has opened several dialysis centers in Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania. Recently. Dr. Selvaggio completed her eightyear term as the president of UPMC Shadysides medical staff. She was the first female to serve as president in the hospitals 135year history. Dr. Selvaggio is married to Dr. Steven Heilbrunn. They are the proud parents of two remarkable children. Max and Evi. Dr. Adriana Selvaggio is truly a woman of great courage and perseverance. She has built a legacy that will be talked about in medical classes and passed down through generations. Her son. Max. said this of his mothers character. "To this day. my mother is more proud of the strong willed character that her adversity has built than the accolades she has earned having overcome them. The profound content of my mothers character is something that I will praise and cherish for the rest of my life." The medical world is lucky to have her as their colleague. her children are blessed to call her Mom and I am grateful to know her as a great friend. Madam Speaker. I ask you to join me today in honoring the character and achievements of Dr. Adriana Selvaggio.
Date: 2010-05-04
Speaker: VERN EHLERS (republican)
Chamber: H

It is my understanding that. in a prior life. Dr. EHLERS knew one of the persons cited in this resolution. Dr. Townes. so it is especially fitting that he is the sponsor. Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution. and I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-05-05
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

As a constitutional conservative Im outraged by the unbridled. unchecked. unaccountable. and outofcontrol government championed by the Democrats. The Wall Street rescue. the bailouts of Fannie and Freddie. the auto industry. capandtax energy bill. the government takeover of health care. and courtmartialing Navy SEALs while giving terrorists rights. Enough already. The complete lack of respect for the liberties espoused by our Founding Fathers has got to stop. Thats why I am proud to announce my participation in a new group. the Tenth Amendment Task Force. The sole purpose of the caucus is to rekindle the truth and foundation of freedom. like promoting personal liberties and responsibilities. championing freedom and free enterprise. restoring States rights. and reining in government spending. Its time to roll back big government and rejuvenate respect for the Constitution. Americans are just fed up and want to tell the government. "Get off my back."