macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-12-16
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. I rise today for American working men and women who want to work but cant find a job. The Nations unemployment rate stands at 10 percent. with my home State of California ranking third worst in the country. While I support a stronger safety net to help families survive. in the end. Americans dont want unemployment checks. They want to work. Thats why Im proud to support the Jobs for Main Street Act which will put Americans back to work in the most direct way possible: by hiring them. This bill makes overdue investments in Americas rails. roads and schools and in wellpaying DavisBaconcovered jobs for our workers. The benefits for our economy of encouraging unionized jobs cannot be overstated. As the great Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.. said. "Everyone knows that the labor movement did not diminish the strength of the Nation. but enlarged it. By raising the living standards of millions. labor miraculously created a market for industry and lifted the whole Nation to undreamed of levels of production." May this bill continue in that tradition. JOBS
Date: 2009-12-16
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. on rollcall Nos. 978. 979. and 981. I would have voted "yea." On rollcall No. 980. I would have voted "aye."
Date: 2009-12-16
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I rise in support of the 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. This measure represents Congresss commitment to the millions of dedicated men and women. in and out of uniform. throughout the Department of Defense. who work to address the national security challenges of the country. This bill also expresses our commitment to their families. whose service to the country is recognized and greatly appreciated. In total. the act appropriates $636.3 billion for DoD programs. operations and troop support. This represents a 2 percent increase of current funding levels. and while not including funding for the Presidents proposed troop increase in Afghanistan. includes $128.2 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill contains funds to meet the logistical needs of our military including new and updated equipment. combat vehicles and battle gear. The measure also includes funding for military pay raises. military health care benefits and quality of life improvements for the troops and their families. Since first clearing this chamber in July. there have been important addons made to the bill. These addons include a number of nondefense provisionssuch as an extension of certain emergency unemployment insurance benefits. an extension of a 65 percent premium subsidy for COBRA health insurance. allowing recipients to obtain the subsidized insurance coverage for six additional months. a delay. until February. of a scheduled 21 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors. funding for nutrition assistance. and $400 million for state administrative expenses. Additionally. I am especially pleased that todays DoD Appropriations bill includes an unprecedented fund of $300 million set aside for the purpose of mitigating BRACrelated transportation and community impacts at the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Fort Belvoir. Congress is committed to building world class facilities for our wounded warriors in the national capital region. and these funds are an integral part of that effort. I want to thank Congressman MORAN. Chairman MURTHA. and Chairman OBEY. as well as Senator MIKULSKI and Senator CARDIN. for their partnership on this initiative. I look forward to working. with our Senate colleagues. the Department of Defense. and other stakeholders to make these funds available for their intended purpose at the soonest possible date. Madam Speaker. as the country prepares to ask even more of our service members. it is our responsibility to do all we can to honor our commitments to them and their familiesWhile we can never fully repay the debt we owe them. we can work to ensure that they have the resources they need to do their jobs abroad and the resources they need to meet their obligations here at home. I encourage my colleagues join me in support of the bill.
Date: 2009-12-16
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 4314. which will increase the statutory debt limit by an amount sufficient to cover obligations through February 11. As we take concrete steps to bolster our economic recovery while getting the nations fiscal house in order. this measure will ensure the uninterrupted operation of government into the first part of next year. Insodoing. it affirms the full faith and credit of the United States. supports job creation and economic growth. and gives the House and Senate additional time to reach agreement on appropriate budget targets for the out years. Importantly. this temporary legislation is also offered alongside the Houses twiceexpressed commitment to statutory PAYGO legislation. whose use has been demonstrated to bring our budgets back into balance over time. Accordingly. I urge a "yes" vote.
Date: 2009-12-16
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

This is about our future. This is about a jobs program that is paid for. This is about taking the money that was dedicated to working on Wall Street and making sure that it works for Main Street. This is your opportunity so that you can go home and say that you did everything you could to try to maintain the positive direction that the economy is starting to indicate. but we are not there yet. Again. if you listen to the analysts. it can be overwhelmed by the loss of jobs and by the wave of unemployment that could take place at State and local governments. and our childrens educational opportunities can be overwhelmed.
Date: 2009-12-16
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I rise in strong support of the Jobs for Main Street Act. Now that recent initiatives aimed at stabilizing our financial system and stimulating our economy are beginning to have their intended effect. this targeted legislation is laserfocused on job creation to ensure that all Americans will have an opportunity to participate in our ongoing economic recovery. Specifically. the Jobs for Main Street Act invests $48 billion in our nations highways. transit systems. school facilities. water infrastructure and housing stock. In addition to putting hundreds of thousands of Americans back to work. these funds will make needed improvements and renovations to our nations aging infrastructure. $27 billion is provided to hire. train and equip an estimated 820.000 teachers. police. firefighters and other public service personnel. Jobgenerating small businesses will get greater access to Small Business Administration (SBA) loans by eliminating fees and by providing higher guarantees to the private banks that lend to them. These measures. in addition to the small business Recovery Act initiatives that preceded them. will help generate well over $9 billion in new small business lending. To help Americans who are out of work or have lost their employerprovided health insurance. this legislation extends emergency unemployment and COBRA benefits through June. 2010. States will receive an extra six months of federal matching funds to help cover their Medicaid costs through June. 2011. and the families of 16 million lowincome children will get a tax cut through greater access to the Child Tax Credit. Madam Speaker. this Congress on a bipartisan basis extended support to Wall Street during a period of potentially catastrophic systemic risk and extraordinary need. It is now high time we make an equally extraordinary effort on behalf of creating jobs for Main Street so that the prosperity we are creating is broadly shared by all.
Date: 2010-01-12
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. Happy New Year to America. As we start this new year. I believe it is important to clarify a lot of misinterpretations about what the job of the Federal Government is and what this Congress responsibility is. We are problemsolvers. We work to solve the issues on behalf of the American people. And as we look at this health care debate. which I hope will be entirely transparent. let the underlying premise be that 36 million people are without insurance. In addition. this health care bill will generate numerous numbers of jobs and new health professional scholarships to provide for doctors and nurses. making sure that you do not have a denial of insurance because of preexisting disease. And jobs we must make. We must move forward on the jobs bill. and I am in particular pushing one that says if you are on unemployment insurance. you can continue to get training. Scholarships and a stipend will be given to you along with your unemployment insurance so you can train for the new jobs. We have to be innovative and know what the American people want. but. most of all. the government of the United States is a problemsolver. The people of America are hurting. and we must address the questions of health care and the underutilized ability for Americans to be served by new health care as well as new jobs. America must answer the call.
Date: 2010-01-13
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. I rise today representing the voice of my Vietnamese American constituency to once again bring attention to the deteriorating human rights conditions in Vietnam. Last Wednesday. a number of Catholics were attacked by the police for reporting an incident where Vietnam Government officials destroyed a holy cross at the Dong Chiem parish. The removal of the cross was only one incident in a series of violent actions taken by the Vietnamese Government to unlawfully seize church property which has belonged to the parish for over 100 years. And I ask myself. why have we not put this country. Vietnam. on the list of countries of particular concern. those who prosecute and persecute religious beliefs? I find it absolutely appalling that the Vietnamese Government continues to get away with these human rights violations. and we should do something about it. In 2010 I hope that the United States will finally take a stand and show the world that this behavior is unacceptable. It is time for Vietnam to be held accountable. HAITI
Date: 2010-01-13
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise today in recognition of Martin Luther King. Jr. and to honor this great civil rights leader by supporting and continuing the tradition of a national day of service in his memory. As a profoundly diverse country. our greatest strengths are evident when we come together in the spirit of community and work toward a greater good. This notion of service was remarkably evident in Dr. Kings work. and it is fitting that we honor his legacy by working with our neighbors and fellow citizens to better our communities and country. When Dr. King saw injustice. he worked diligently and by peaceful means to bring about positive change. Today. it is important to remember that all of us can make a difference and emulate Dr. Kings efforts by working together. In my district. there are major celebrations planned to honor the life of Dr. King. including a candlelighting ceremony and a parade. Students in the Dallas Independent School District have submitted essays that discuss the life and work of Dr. King. and additionally. people across the area will participate in serviceoriented projects and volunteer for various organizations. I am proud of the hard work they are doing to make North Texas a better place. Today. we move forward by honoring Martin Luther King. Jr. and his great dream with renewed optimism. It is my hope that this Day of Service will be a true reflection of his legacy and serve as a catalyst for good across the country.
Date: 2010-01-13
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I would like to express my support for H. Res.1002. a resolution honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. which encourages the continued commitment to Martin Luther King. Jr. Day as a national day of service. Martin Luther King. Jr. Day is a holiday marking the birth of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.. which is celebrated on the third Monday of January each year. President Ronald Reagan declared Dr. Kings birthday a national holiday and signed it into law on January 15. 1983. Not only does January 15 mark the day this Civil Rights Leader was born. but it is one of four United States federal holidays to commemorate an individual person in this country. Dr. King was the chief architect for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights movement. which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. During the time of the Civil Rights movement. many challenges and controversies arose. but Dr. Kings commitment to democracy. freedom. and equality did not waver. Dr. King challenged us to give back to a community we have accepted so much from. With his leadership. our nation made great strides against racial discrimination and toward increased civil rights. It is in the spirit of solidarity that we recognize Dr. Kings Day as a national day of service which was first encouraged by Congress in 1994 through passage of the King Holiday and Service Act. On this day. our nation has the opportunity to bond together and serve our local and global community. with no expectation of reward in return. The dream is a special type of service our nation needs. This type of service not only brings our nation together. but it creates an environment of people committed to helping one another achieve the dream. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res.
Date: 2010-01-13
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I want to join my colleagues. so many of whom I have heard discussing on the floor of the House the overwhelming tragedy. the catastrophic incident that has occurred in our neighboring country of Haiti. But I particularly want to offer my deepest sympathy to my constituents. my Haitian American constituents in Houston. Texas. many of whom are suffering because their relatives are in Haiti. and they cannot find them. I wanted to acknowledge a delegation of Rotary Club members from Houston. Texas. who came to Haiti just yesterday. and their family members are expressing concern for their location and status. It makes it relevant to know that this hurricanelike earthquake is the largest earthquake that weve seen in the Western Hemisphere over the last number of years. We know that all resources have to be pointed toward Haiti. To the United Nations. for the losses they are experiencing. my sympathy. To the Haitian Government. my sympathy. And my commitment is that you will never walk alone. We will stand with you in this battle to recover Haiti.
Date: 2010-01-13
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. it is beyond devastating that our friend and neighbor. the Republic of Haiti. has been hit with yet another terrible natural disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with both the Haitian people during this time of incredible hardship. and my constituents in South Florida whose family and friends have fallen victim to this tragedy. As you know. the people of Haiti are now experiencing the death. destruction. and aftermath of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. Just 600 miles off the coast of Florida. Haiti stands as the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Its nine million people are no strangers to hardship. In its tumultuous recent past. Haiti has experienced violent uprisings and floods that killed thousands of people and wiped out much of their food and infrastructure systems. As a result. they stand at a severe disadvantage and are ill equipped to deal with a tragedy of this scale. Sadly. many Haitians have been unable to recover from the turmoil of their past. and therefore. remain exceedingly vulnerable to the repercussions of yesterdays powerful earthquake. Recovery must be our first priority. I am proud that the United States Government has offered immediate assistance to the people of Haiti. Both President Obama and Secretary Clinton have pledged Americas unwavering support for Haiti during this crisis. Military officials have said that plans are underway for the hospital ship USNS Comfort to dock off the coast of Haiti to assist the sick and wounded. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is dispatching a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and has activated its partners. the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team and the Los Angeles County Search and Rescue Team. We must continue to work with the Obama Administration and federal agencies to help marshal necessary humanitarian relief efforts. In addition. now more than ever. it is clear that Congress must work to enact Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals living in the United States. TPS would allow Haitians to remain in peace and security in the U.S. while the island recovers. In 1998 the U.S. government set a precedent when it granted TPS to nationals from Central American countries affected by Hurricane Mitch. and I would like to see the same fairness applied to Haiti. The United States must continue to provide assistance to bring Haiti out of poverty. I strongly support Congress appropriating robust emergency funds to assist Haiti in the wake of this catastrophe. Such funding is vital to providing stability in that fragile country. and is in our own national security interest. Mr. Speaker. it is our moral responsibility to help our neighbors in Haiti however we can. and the residents of South Florida can be sure that I will continue to use my position as a Member of Congress to advocate policies that will promote stability and security in Haiti during this time of need.
Date: 2010-01-19
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H. Res. 1008 to honor the contributions of Catholic schools. The tradition of Catholic schools in America dates back to settlement of the New World. and through the centuries. Catholic institutions have been incredibly effective at educating young people in the United States. Today. enrollment in Catholic institutions numbers at above 2 million students across the country with a student to teacher ratio of approximately 14 to 1. Additionally. Catholic schools graduate roughly 99 percent of their students with 97 percent of those graduates pursuing degrees at institutions of higher education. Mr. Speaker. as we become a more interconnected and global society. the education of our young people will become increasingly important. Catholic institutions help to ensure that those same young people receive quality educations. and I ask my fellow colleagues to join me today in supporting H. Res. 1008 to honor the contributions of Catholic schools.
Date: 2010-01-19
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I stand before you today in support of H. Res. 1008. "Honoring the contributions of Catholic schools." I would like to begin by thanking my colleague Representative LIPINSKI for introducing this resolution in the House. as quality education should be at the top of our priority list. I urge my colleagues to support and acknowledge Catholic schools and their students. parents. teachers. and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education and improving and strengthening our communities and our nation as a whole. Catholic schools deliver highquality education. challenge students to reach their full potential. and provide thousands of families throughout the United States with outstanding educational options for their children. Today. there are over 6.000 Catholic schools serving around 2.200.000 school children across the nation. In addition to their service to our nation as a whole. Catholic schools also play an important role in the education of over 18.000 school children in my home city of Houston. Texas. Within the city of Houston there are currently 39 Catholic schools. which educate children from kindergarten through high school. and there are 24 other Catholic schools within the greater Houston metropolitan area. Catholic schools have consistently demonstrated their commitment to high academic standards. small class sizes and new and innovative approaches to education. Many parents choose Catholic schools due to their small class sizes with an average studentteacher ratio of about 14 to 1. Catholic schools have also continually demonstrated their success in educating students. boasting a 99 percent high school graduation rate with 97 percent of Catholic high school graduates going on to higher education. This impressive rate of students that go on to higher education has served as a great resource not only to the communities in which these students live. but also to our nation as a whole. Our nations Catholic schools are engaged in educating an increasingly diverse group of students with nearly 30 percent of enrolled students representing a minority group and about 15 percent of students from nonCatholic backgrounds. The diversity and educational excellence of students that can be found in Catholic schools across the nation has helped to produce students and citizens with a strong understanding of the many cultures and values that make up our community and nation. I ask my colleagues for their continued support of Catholic schools and urge them to support this resolution.
Date: 2010-01-19
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I am overwhelmed as I have seen the outpouring of support for the Haitian people and also the concern of this Congress. I would ask that we move forward on one particular interest and concern. and that is the orphans of Haiti. Already before the earthquake there were 1.5 million orphans. Now. we have seen hundreds of thousands of children who are now without parents. Over the weekend. I was able to secure and be able to send two planeloads of doctors and nurses and supplies. Thank you. Texas. In that they were operating on a number of individuals. particularly children. 150 surgeries. 600 patients. it is important that we are able to airlift the most badly injured of children and others. particularly children. out of Haiti. I will be introducing legislation and working with the administration to establish refugee status so these children can be airlifted in an organized manner to have surgery. otherwise. they will die. It is important for us to join together. both sides of the aisle. to find constructive ways to expedite caring for those who are now dying. Our children are our priority. As Chair of the Congressional Childrens Caucus. that will be my focus. to save the children of Haiti.