macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1982-01-25
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. coin collecting in the United States is a major hobby. Since the early 1800s. there has been a keen interest In numismatics In the United States. Coins are closely related to history. and coin collecting is an educational hobby. The triumphs of the Roman legions. the California gold rush. the 18th century victories of the British Navythese and thousands of other historical events are recorded on coins. At the beginning of the 20th century. coin collecting was a hobby only for the few people deeply interested in the subject. They formed 4 national "clique" interested in coin research. finding great new rarities and new va. rieties. Many a pleasant hour was spent going over coin collections. pointing out prized pieces to friends. Trading and exchanging coins with fellow numismatists became "the" thing to do. The first coin struck in America to commemorate an event. the Columbian halfdollar during the worlds fair In Chicago. in 1892. however. opened the eyes of millions to the possibilities of coin collecting and showed how it could be Interesting and even profitable. Books. magazines. and newspapers on numismatics have steadily increased the number of coin collectors and are still a major factor in encouraging new ones. Another boon to numismatics was the resumption in 1936 of the manufacture of proof sets by the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. The everspreading interest in coin collecting as a hobby is indicated by the increase of sets coined in 1950. 51.386. to 3.950.762 in 1964. In the latter part of the 19th century. the American Numismatic Association was founded and began pubIlshing Americas first monthly magazine devoted exclusively to numismatics. Today. there are very few cities of respectable size that do not have a coin club. National Coin Week was first introduced in 1924. Now an annual event. the association designates a week to encourage and promote the interest of young and old in a subject that is entertaining and instructive. as well as valuable in encouraging thrift. The theme. "NumismaticsA High Road to Adventure." has been adopted for this years event to make noncollectors aware of the challenge and excitement inherent in coin collecting. In cooperation with this effort. I am today introducing a joint resolution to designate April 18 to 24. 1982. as "National Coin Week." I hope for early consideration of the resolution.
Date: 1982-01-27
Speaker: JOHN L. BURTON (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I just would like to take this minute to pay tribute. to the No. 1 team in the country. the San Francisco 49ers. coach Bill Walsh. Joe Montana. Eddie DeBartolo. Jr.. the owner. and the people of San Francisco who have waited a long. long. long time and we are No. 1. We will continue to be No. 1 for about 10 years.
Date: 1982-01-28
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker. I just heard about this special order. and I came over from my office to say just one or two things. I have only been in this body for a relatively short period of time compared to the great service that has been the whole life of DicK BOLLING in thi Congress of the United States. I have never missed an opportunity to listen to this great legislator when he stood where I am standing now or in the well of this House. because what. he said was worth listening to. I know on many occasions that. py vote and his vote have not been the same. but my respect and admiration for DICK BOLLING Is without parhlel in this House. His wisdom and his perseverance at times will be missed. sorely missed. I hope that in the coming years that he continues to enjoy the best of health. that he will continue to visit with us from time to time. I realize that he has another year. but I would have been remiss had I not been here today to pay my deep respects to this outstanding legislator and gentleman. I know of nothing more than one can say when one refers to him as the gentleman that I know he is. and the high regard and respect that he Is held in by every Member of this body.
Date: 1982-01-28
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. it is agreeable on this side. if the distinguished majority leader will Include in his order. that there be no rollcall votes on Monday.
Date: 1982-01-28
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. before the Senator from Washington proceeds. may I say to the distinguished majority leader that I personally appreciate. and I am sure other Senators on this side appreciate. the cooperation and understanding which has been shown by the distinguished majority leader in delaying the taking up of the Williams matter from the date that it was scheduled to have been taken up. February 2. until Tuesday. February 23. after we return from the Lincoln Day recess. Second. I hope that the distinguished majority leader would be considering some business other than the resolution with respect to television in the Senate on Monday. because it is my understanding that Senator LONG will not be able to be here on Monday. I hope that any motion to proceed to that resolution could await Senator LONGS presence in the Senate.
Date: 1982-01-28
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I am pleased to cosponsor the legislation offered today by the distinguished Senator from Arkansas. Mr. BUMPERS. which would restore the $300 burial benefit for all our wartime veterans. including the men who served in Korea and Vietnam. I commend Senator BUMPERS On his worthwhile and appropriate initiative on behalf of American veterans. and I hope that the Senate will act on this measure expeditiously and pass it into law this session. This initiative will correct a grievous slight which has been done to the men who have answered the call to risk the supreme sacrifice on behalf of the Nation. It is all the more appropriate that this traditional benefit be restored for those men who answered the call during the Vietnam conflict when many chose not to serve. The problem that Senator BumEsus has drawn to our attention results from misguided efforts to achieve small costsavings during consideration of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act passed during the last session. That act changed the eligibility criteria for those veterans who would be eligible for the $300 burialbenefit. so that only those veterans who were entitled to receive VA compensation or pensions could receive the allowance. This reduces the eligible veteran population by perhaps twothirds. If we do not act quickly to reinstate the full benefit. thousanas of families will be hard put to bear the burden of funeral expenses. expenses which have been just as hard hit by inflation as the rest of our economy. Can the States be expected to pick up this burden? Hardly. It is a national disgrace that the unburied remains of dozens of veterans have accumulated in Los Angeles. for example. since the cutback in these benefits took effect last October 1. Surely. the criteria for the new reduced benefit has absolutely nothing to do with national service. All veterans who were honorably discharged were previously eligible. Honorable service was the criteria. It should continue to be the criteria. Upon what possible rationale can we justify that some honorably discharged veterans are eligible for burial benefits but that most are not? The revenue effect of the full benefit is little enough. Senator BUMPERS cites it as about $113 million. I believe. in fiscal year 1981. The costsavings of the action taken in the Omnibus Reconciliation Act would be some $75 million in fiscal year 1982. Is this extremely modest costsavings enough to justify stripping away a decent burial from those who served? It cannot possibly be justified. The effect of reducing the benefit is an insult to those men and their families who had been led to expect this modest but important benefit. I believe the reduction in this benefit was totally misguided and should be rectified as soon as possible. I hope that the Veterans Committee will give it priority attention and report it back to the full Senate early in the present session. so that this misguided action can be reconciled.
Date: 1982-01-28
Speaker: MORRIS KURLE (democrat)
Chamber: S

Chairman. WEB Water Development Association. Inc.. Aberdeen. S. Dak. DEAR MR. KuRLE* Thank you for your letter of September 29 concerning the WEB Pipeline Project (WEB) in South Dakota. As you may be aware. Commissioner Broadbent of the Bureau of Reclamation testified on H.R. 4347 before the House Conservation. Credit and Rural Development Subcommittee. House Committee on Agriculture. on September 9 and before the House Subcommittee on Water and Power Resources. House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. on October 27. relative to WEB. Let me assure you that the Department of the Interior stands behind the Commissioners statement at those hearings that we will do our utmost to see the WEB project developed as rapidly as possible. In regard to Department of Agriculture continued involvement in the project. we envision some administrative difficulties for Interior to implement the project under Agricultures rules and procedures. However. we do not see any difficulties that cannot be overcome with the cooperation that Agriculture has promised if it is the Congress decision that Interior implement the project. Once the intent of the Congress is known. Interior. including Reclamation. and Agriculture will work out the appropriate relationships to see the project come to fruition as soon as practicable. Sincerely.
Date: 1982-01-29
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. if no other Senator seeks the time. I ask the majority leader to yield such time to me.
Date: 1982-01-29
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I to thank the distinguished Senator from Virginia and the distinguished Senator from Washington for the initiative they have taken. I wish to express my personal appreciation to them for having taken it. I think they have done a service for the Senate and for the country. I share their thoughts with respect to Admiral Rickover. He is truly a selfless. dedicated. brilliant patriot and the services that he has rendered will always not only be admired but be services for which the country will always be indebted. I too wish him well as he enters into his new career. I can assure him that he will always live in the hearts of his countrymen as a truly great American.
Date: 1982-01-29
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. we now have reports that the Soviets have turned to even more brutal tactics in attempting to crush the forces of nationalism in Afghanistan. The January 26. 1982. edition of the Christian Science Monitor carried a story that French doctors. assisting Inside Afghanistan. have reported systematic bombings of civilian targets in that country. The Monitor story reported: French medical organizations operating clandestine health teams inside Afghanistan have accused the Soviet Union of systematically bombing civilian targets in an attempt. to demoralize villagers and deny guerrilla forces local support. This charge comes from the Parisbased Doctors Without Frontiers and International Medical Aid. Doctors who have served in Afghanistan assisting the general populace with their medical needs assert:Communist pacification efforts have /failed and Sovietbacked government forces have recently adopted a policy of deliberately bombing villages. farms. hospitals. and crops. One doctor described Soviet activities as a . . . reign of terror." The Monitor story reported that the doctors attacked the Soviet Union for I ts: . . . Brutal and widespread use of antipersonnel butterfly bombs as well as boobytrapped objects such as toys. cigarette packs. and pens. Such objects. they said. are scattered by helicopter over fields. villages. and mountain paths. causing heavy casualties among both inhabitants and livestock. Children are the main victims. as they have a tendency to pick up everything out of curiosity. Mr. President. I think the behavior of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan should outrage the sensibilities of the entire civilized world. What we are seeing is genocidal behavior by the Soviet Union because they have discovered the people of Afghanistan will fiercely fight for their independence. I think it is incumbent upon this administration to focus constant attention on the Soviet atrocities being perpetrated upon the people of Afghanistan. I ask unanimous consent that the article from the Christian Science Monitor be printed in the RECORD.
Date: 1982-01-29
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. Presi. dent. I am glad to join our colleagues in cosponsoring this Senate resolution commending Martin Leonard Skutnik III. for his actions on January 13. In recent years. we have often been inundated with negative stories about people. In an otherwise jaundiced and jaded age. refreshing it is to hear of a man whose sense of duty and right is so instinctive that he put his own life in jeopardy to save a stranger in need. Also refreshing it is to learn that Lenny Skutnik is a Congressional Budget Office employee. Too often. only the misdeeds of Federal or congressional employees catch media attention. Mr. Skutnik reminds us that thousands of public employees are decent. sensitive. and principled men and women of whom we can all be proud. But. most important. perhaps. we are indebted to Leonard Skutnik not as a symbol or representative of something. but as a courageous man who has left us a vivid image of our responsibility to one another. No more eloquent answer was ever given to the question. "Am I my brothers keeper?" I thank Lenny Skutnik for partially renewing our trust in our neighbors and our pride in ourselves.
Date: 1982-02-02
Speaker: JOHN L. BURTON (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. today I will Introduce two pieces of legislation on behalf of myself and my colleague. LEON PANETTA of California. that would amend the Small Business Act with respect to disaster loan programs by reducing the interest rate to 3 percent and raising the amount of loan funds available to $300.000. also to make sure that mud slides and landslides are covered under Federal flood insurance programs. Presently. there is a 10percent interest rate and a $55.000 limit on the people In Marin County and throughout the Nation who have suffered disasters. This is wholly inadequate both from the amount of loan limitations and from the size of the Interest payments. Disasters should be treated as disasters. We should remember that these are repayable loans. and we should reach out not only with private charities. but also the charity of the Government for the people who have suffered these disasters.
Date: 1982-02-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I thank the majority leader. Mr. President. may I ask the distinguished majority leader if he plans to recess from 12 noon until. say 2 p.m. today?
Date: 1982-02-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I yield to the distinguished Senator from Wisconsin such time as he may require of the time that is under my control.
Date: 1982-02-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I ask unanimous consent that I may retain the 9 minutes and that I may yield to the Senator from Texas.
Date: 1982-02-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. Presldent. reserving the right to object. and I do not expect to object. I would hope the vote on the busing amendment could occurand we can not change this now. but I would hope that that could occurearlier than has been previously provided for.
Date: 1982-02-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. still reserving the right to object. will the Senator consider as he approaches Senators on his side of the aisle. perhaps coming In and beginning at 9:30 rather than 11 oclock and then the 3 hours would run their course at. say. 12:30?
Date: 1982-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I wonder If the majority leader. Senator LoNG. and others would be willing to reschedule the 12 oclock vote and have it occur. say. at 12:30 p.m.
Date: 1982-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. January 1. 1982. marked the formal retirement of one of West Virginias bestknown journalists. Jane Price Sharp. The -editor of the Pocahontas Times since 1957. Mrs. Sharp has worked at the weekly newspaper. off and on. for more than 44 years. Born and reared in Marlinton. W. Va.. the home of the Pocahontas Times. Jane Price Sharp comes from a long line of journalists. Her grandfather. the Reverend William T. Price. purchased the Pocahontas Times in 1892 and ran it until 1905. Mrs. Sharps father. Calvin W. Price. then took over as editor and served in that capacity until his death in 1957. Since that tine. the publication of the Pocahontas Times has been accomplished under the watchful eye of Jane Price Sharp. Running a weekly newspaper has consumed only a portion of Mrs. Sharps energies. however. She has also found time to serve on the board of directors of the Marlinton Chamber of Commerce. is the director of the Pocahontas County Historical Society. secretary of the Pocahontas Democratic Womans Club. and a member of the Women of the Press and Sigma Delta Chi. Mrs. Sharp is also past president of the West Virginia State Press Association and the Marlinton Womans Club. I am glad that the family tradition at the Pocahontas Times will be carried on by Mrs. Sharps nephew. Bill McNeel. who has taken over as editor. and her daughter. Jane S. Jessee. the new managing editor. But uane Price Sharp is not ready to go into full retirement just yet. Typical of her enthusiasm and drive. I am told she will be helping at the Pocahontas Times from time to time. Jane Price Sharp has made great contributions to her profession and her community. and for her many accomplishments I offer my praise and gratitude.
Date: 1982-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. the Washington Post of February 3 contains an article entitled. "Accidents Up. Citations Down in Coal Fields." which will be of interest to my colleagues. The article deals with two troubling areasthe adequacy of mine inspections in 1981. and the confusion caused by the provision of the continuing resolution that bars the Mine Safety and Health Administration from inspecting stone. sand. and gravel operations. At a time when fatalities are rising in the coal mining industry. the frequency of inspections appears to be decreasing. Congress should not allow mine safety to be a casualty of the budget process. The transfer of authority to inspect stone. sand. and gravel operations fromMSHA has resulted in a confusing and frustrating situation within MSHA. The ultimate effects of the transfer on safety on both coal and noncoal mines are unknown. but should be examined closely by the Congress. I ask unanimous consent that the article be printed in the RECORD.
Date: 1982-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. and I shall not object. is it the understandIng of the Senate. Mr. President. that following the rolleall vote on amendment No. 69. as amended. the Senate would proceed. without further debate and immediately. to a vote on the Baker motion to proceed to the consideration of Senate Resolution 20. without any intervening motion or quorum call?
Date: 1982-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. may I ask the distinguished majority leader a further question? With respect to the vote on amendment No. 69. as amended. which would precede the vote on the Baker motion to proceed to the consideration of Senate Resolution 20. a motion to reconsider and a motion to table a motion to reconsider are not ruled out?
Date: 1982-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. is It not also a fact that under the agreement there would be no time for debate on such motion to reconsider?
Date: 1982-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. may I ask one further question of the distinguished majority leader? Is it the understanding that following the votes on an amendment by Mr. HELMs and on the motion to proceed by Mr. BAKER there would be no further rolleall votes tomorrow?
Date: 1982-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I thank the distinguished majority leader. Mr. President. it is conceivable that there could be a series of rolleall votes. Would the distinguished majority leader also include in his request that after the first rollcall vote on the amendment by Mr. HELMS. any subsequent rollcall votes would be back to back. limited to 10 minutes. with the exception of the vote on the motion to proceed?
Date: 1982-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I would like to express my appreciation to the majority leader at this time for his courS350 CON tesy in rearranging the time for the vote to occur on tomorrow afternoon.
Date: 1982-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I regret to advise the distinguished majority leader that the minority is not ready to proceed with those at this time.
Date: 1982-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I was to read the followih g statement on behalf of Mr. MITCHELL: Mr. President. on November 9. 1981. Senator CIIAFEE and I introduced Senate Joint Resolution 121. a measure designating 1982 the Bicentenial Year of the American Bald Eagle and June 20 National Bald Eagle Day. The bill. by commemorating the 200th anniversary of the designation of the eagle as our national symbol. provides a tribute not only to the majesty of the Bald Eagle and the Nation it respresents. but also the efforts of a wide variety of Americans who are working for its recovery. S.J. Res. 121 had 51 cosponsors on December 29. 1981. when it was unanimously passed by the Senate. One early cosponsor of the legislation was Senator MATHIAS. The distinguished Senator from Maryland has long supported conserving and protecting our natural resources and his interest in S.J. Res. 121 was very helpful and greatly appreciated. Through a clerical error. Senator MATHIAS was not properly recorded as a consponsor of the bill. I ask unanimous consent that the permanent record of the Senate be corrected to reflect his cosponsorship of the legislation. Mr. President. on behalf of Mr. MITCHELL. I do ask unanimous consent that the permanent RECORD Of the Senate be corrected to reflect Mr. MATHIAS cosponsorship of the legislation.
Date: 1982-02-04
Speaker: JOHN L. BURTON (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I am appalled that President Reagan is giving $55 million of American taxpayers money to the nunkillers in the Government of El Salvador. I am equally appalled by General Haigs statement that America will do whatever it takes to win the war in El Salvador. I did not know that the Congress of the United States had declared war in El Salvador. I do know. however. that the President has declared war on the elderly and the poor and the working people of this country. He cannot find money to help our own citizens but he can find $55 million of taxpayers money to go to the nunkillers of the Government of El Salvador. I say. shame. Ronald W. Reaganshame.
Date: 1982-02-04
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. yesterday I had the opportunity to appear before a public conference of the International Trade Commission here in Washington to make a statement on the problems affecting our ailing steel industry. My State. in particular has been badly hit by the slump in the steel industy. which is one of the largest direct employers in West Virginia. Not only are those directly employed by the steel industry impacted. but also thousands of coal miners who produce metallurgical coal are hurt by the neardepression market levels of the American steel industry. I ask unanimous consent that my statement be inserted in the RECORD at this point.