macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1995-05-16
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the ranking member of the Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities for setting up this special order so we can talk about the budget cuts that we will consider the next couple of days. Mr. Sp aker. I speak with a little different accent from some of my colleagues. but I learned in Texas. even though I live in an urban district. that you cannot eat your seed corn and expect to provide for your future and the Republican majoritys budget is doing just that. The budget is intended to move this country to a balanced budget and I agree. we should work toward that end and we started during my first 2 years here in Congress. However. I strongly disagree with the Republican majoritys plans on how they go about balancing the budget. Education is one of the areas that a person can directly affect their income. In other words. education is our seed corn and this budget will eat that seed corn. On the average. a college graduate earns just under. $60.000 while a high school dropout earns just a little over $20.000 a year. Congress should not be deemphasizing education by cutting the Department of Education and by cutting the Department of Education or the education programs by billions of dollars. That is our seed corn in this country. One program which will receive these cuts is the title I funding which is due to be cut which would not allow 700.000 disadvantaged youth to take part in extended classroom time. Title I education funds in Texas alone would be cut $66 million. That is our seed corn for these children.
Date: 1995-05-17
Speaker: PETE GEREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. a balanced budget is good for America. The status quo is bad. Bad for children. bad for seniors. bad for the middle class. and bad for the present and bad for the future. The status quo means Medicare goes broke in 6 years. not cut by 5 percent. not cut by 7 percent. but goes broke. The status quo means financial ruin. That destroys our ability to defend ourselves. feed our children or meet our health care needs. Folks. the status quo means we go broke. Tomorrow we have a choice between four balanced budgets. I urge my colleagues to pick one. A balanced budget is good for America. good for all Americans. young and old. The time is now.
Date: 1995-05-17
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker. I voted for o lineitem veto both in the committee and on this floor of the House this year. After serving 20 years. as a legislator in Texas and living under the lineItem veto. I have no fear about it. I think it has been oversold to an extent because in my 20 years as a legislator. I found out that it did not do as much for reducing the budget as it did for gettIng the attention of members of the legislative body. whether it be Members of Congress or the individual State legislature by the executive branch. Nevertheless. I support it because I think we can live with it and in the few times that we will actually see budget efforts impacted by it. it is good ammunition or a weapon in the arsenal to try to control spending. I heard my colleague. the gentleman from West Virginia . mention the concern about why we did not make this motion on March 23 instead of 2 months later. Again as a supporter of the lineitem veto. we might have been much further along with the conference committee and maybe even having the bill to the Presidents desk. although knowing the opposition to it and the product that came out of our body and the Senate and the problems that we may have In this conference. I am concerned that again this motion is a little over 2 months late in having an impact particularly on this years appropriations. But again I support the lineitem veto and I would hope the conference committee would move as quickly as we can to again give the President the ability to do that.
Date: 1995-05-17
Speaker: PETE GEREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I thank my friend for yielding. The low point in my service as a Member of Congress was March 17. 1994. when the balanced budget amendment went down by 18 votes. A dozen Members who cosponsored the. balanced budget amendment were persuaded at the last minute to vote against it. and they did. and they brought it down. It hit me that day that if a dozen Members were willing to suffer the embarrassment of voting against a bill that they had their name on. that they cosponsored. that forces behind deficit spending were so powerful that they would always win. The future would always lose. Political reality was that the status quo. the deficit. would always win. The arguments might change. but the results were always the same. It hit me that day that what the cynics had always said was true. that everybody says they want a balanced budget. but no one is willing to do what it takes to get there. Everyone wants to go to heaven. nobody wants to die. I concluded that we in Congress are doing nothing more than rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. and I wondered what we were doing here. With those facts. it was simple and depressing arithmetic: The United States was going to go broke. Not now. not today. but later. and with certainty. Now little more than a year later we are going to pass a balanced budget. The cynics were wrong. We can do it. We will do it. The debate is not if. the debate is how. My colleagues. this is a great day. I do not care if your greatest concern is education. transportation. defense. childhood nutrition. health care in general. Medicare specifically. the path we have been on is going to destroy it. There will not be less Medicare. there will be none. Eventually the debt on and the interest on it will destroy everything worthwhile that Government can do. That is simple arithmetic. and a year ago that seemed inevitable. Tomorrow we change course. Who wins? All Americans. It is not the greedy versus the generous. men versus women. rich versus poor. young versus old. have versus havenots. As some of my colleagues would characterize it. everybody wins. A balanced budget means a brighter today and it means a brighter tomorrow. Is the coalition plan perfect? No. Is the Kasich plan perfect? No. There. are differences in the two. but they agree on the most important point: They balance the budget. A year ago a balanced budget was a pipe dream. Tomorrow. thanks to some courageous Members. it is a reality. Some of my colleagues attacked these balanced budget provisions as meanspirited and cruel. As compared to what? Mr. Chairman. the present course is cruel. The status quo is cruel. To beggar the future. to condemn future generations to financial ruin. is cruel. it is wrong. Balancing the budget is tough. harder than I ever imagined it would be. But it is not cruel. it is good. it is fair. it is the right thing to do. and tomorrow we will do it.
Date: 1995-05-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to object to the budgetput forth by the majority Republicans as it relates to education cuts. The majority Republicans have been saying for the past few weeks that their budget is one for the children of America. Honestly. Mr. Speaker. their drastic budget cut slams the door in the face of our children. Many young people today see education as their only way to become part of the middle class. and they are right. If we cut title I funding. if we cut bilingual funding. if we cut national service assistance. if we cut student loans. if we cut job training. where are they going to get the education and training they need to earn a decent income and become taxpaying citizens? It does not save taxes next century by cutting education today. Our children will not have a job in the next century to pay taxes if they do not have access to a good education today. Mr. Speaker. I am particularly concerned about the elimination of bilingual education in the Republican budget. These two children in this picture are from the Love Elementary School in the Heights area of Houston. Love has an incredible success rate in the bilingual program at their school The clfildren are learning English. they are excelling in their studies. and the program works. The students are continuing into junior and senior high. But. they will not if we pass the Republican budget because it cuts education funding.
Date: 1995-05-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I was unavoidably detained and was not able to vote on the Wynn amendment. rollcall No. 352. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes".
Date: 1995-05-24
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

changed their vote from "no" to "aye". So the amendment to the amendment was agreed to. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Date: 1995-05-24
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. we stand here today in memory of the seven -employees of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. those that were tragically murdered in the bomb blast at the A.P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19. 1995. The explosion murdered scores of innocent children and adults. injured hundreds. shattered innumerable lives. and shook the soul of the Nation. We remember them all. But today we mention the 15 employees stationed in the building at the time of the explosion. By stroke of providence. five of the employees were not In the building at the tihe. Three of the employees left the building alive. The remaining seven were killed in the explosion. Mr. Speaker. I personally feel some kinship with these APHIS employees. My father in his late yearsworked for APHIS. He was a proud. dedicated. loyal employee. as were these who worked in that building and the seven that we lost. Today the Department of Agriculture held a day of remembrance to honor the victims and survivors. continuing the tradition of planting trees to honor those we have lost. These employees were dedicated workers who have left a legacy of service to all citizens. They have one thing in common: They died serving their country. As APHIS employees. these men and women were on the front lines working in the heartland of America to improve agriculture productivity and to protect our public health. These employees were beloved by families and friends and cannot be replaced. I know all of us here today and people throughout the country and the world embrace their families and friends in their sorrow and join me in paying tribute to them. I hope that somehow the American people might learn and grow closer from this tragic incident. What we must learn is that the agenda of a small minority of antigovernment terrorists is based on extremism and hatred and has no place in America. We must also learn respect for our Federal workers who are trying hard every day to make this government work. On April 22. the Washington Post printed an editorial entitled "Federal Employees." I will include that for the REcORD. Mr. Speaker.
Date: 1995-05-24
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. Margaret Louis Clark was known by her many friends and colleagues as Peggy. She is survived by her loving -husband. David Spencer. three daughters. Rosslyn 16. Margaret Blayne 13. and Chelsea 6. her mother Mary Spurlin. and sister. Susan Winchester. Peggy was 42. A native of Chichasha. OK. Peggy attended Star Spencer High School in Oklahoma City. Her academic achietements were all made at Oklahoma State University. where she earned a bachelor of science degree in agriculture in 1976. and a doctorate of veterinary medicine degree in 1978. After completing her studies. Peggy began veterinary private practice placing special emphasis on the equine industry. In 1981. Peggy worked for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture as a staff veterinarian and coordinated Federal/State disease control programs. In 1985. she moved over to the State of Oklahomas Horse Racing Commission. As the official veterinarian. she performed pre- and postrace enaminations. Peggy joined APHIS in 1994 as part of a Federal training program called the Public Veterinary Practice Career Program. Her assignment to the Oklahoma City office as a Veterinary medical officer was part of that developmental training. Outside of the office. Peggy was very involved in the lives of her children and was active in horse shows. livestock shows. and soccer. She was an active and popular member of the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association. and helped run her familys horse breeding operation. Peggy was appointed by the Governor to serve a 6year term on the Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. where she served as secretary. Although she was the newest member of the Veterinary Service staff in Oklahoma City. Peggys outgoing personality. willingness to help. and professional competence made her a most welcome addition. Mr. Speaker. I yield to the distinguished chairman of the committee.
Date: 1995-05-24
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Carole Sue Khalil is survived by her daughter. Heather. and many loving relatives and friends. She was 50. Carole was born in Shattuck. OK. and attended Laverne High School in Laverne. OK. She graduated in 1962. Following graduation. she attended the Draughons School of Business in Oklahoma City for 1 year where she completed an executive secretarial course. Already she had big plans to serve her country and the civic good as a public servant. Carole began a lifelong commitment to the U.S. Government in 1964 when she took the first of several temporary positions in the clerical field with the Internal Revenue Service in Oklahoma City. Her career with the U.S. Departmentof Agriculture began with the Agriculture Research Services Animal Health Division in 1967. In this position. which was based in Oklahoma City. Carole provided clerical support to a variety of animal disease eradication programs. Carole was promoted to export document examiner in 1992. In this position. she provided critical review of documents used to clarify the health of all animals exported from Oklahoma to other countries. Her eye for detail and ability to catch even minute errors were among the reasons she was a valuable contributor to the staff. Carole also took care of many routine personnel functions. such as time and attendance reports. training nominations. personnel reports and benefit actions. She was an able and dedicated employee whose contributions were appreciated by everyone with whom she worked. I yield to my chairman. the gentleman from Kansas .
Date: 1995-05-24
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank my distinguished colleague. Mr. Speaker. if I might add a personal note. we notice that Mr. Bloomer served at the screwworm eradication plant in Mission. TX. the years when my father worked there. so I feel certain that they knew each other in those days and they have already found each other up there and they are talking about the good old days at the plant in Mission. Mr. Speaker. I thank my two colleagues. The seven that we lost not only belonged to APHIS. to USDA. they belonged to our Nation and they belong now to all of us. May they rest In peace.
Date: 1995-05-24
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (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 subject of my special order this evening.
Date: 1995-05-25
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise to speak in opposition to the Republican budget proposal as it specifically relates to higher education. Yesterday. I talked about cuts in our elementary and secondary education funds that will hurt our children in public schools. Today. I am going to talk about the House proposal that will increase college costs for 4.5 million college students by eliminating the inschool interest subsidy on Stafford loans. Families who rely on Stafford student loans would pay up to $3.000 more for the cost of a college education. These extra costs could put a college education out of reach for many young people in my district. I have a picture here of a young lady. Yuroba Harris. Yuroba is an honor student at the University of Houston. In order to earn extra money for books and tuition. she works in my district office part time. serving the constituents of the 29th District in Houston. TX. Elimination of the inschool interest subsidy could put college out of reach for a lot of young people like Yuroba and other middleclass and poor young people all over my district. There is an old proverb: Give a person a fish and they will eat today. Teach them to fish and they will eat for a lifetime. Let us not cut education. Let us make sure they can eat for a lifetime.
Date: 1995-06-07
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. let me take just a minute away from the budget cutting debate and the foreign aid debate. Tonight the world champion Houston. Rockets will be playing in the finals with the Orlando Magic. I just wanted to talk about it. because this is the second year in a row those of us in Houston have been honored to have the Rockets in the world championship. This has been a tough year. That is why we are starting in on the road. even though we are world champions. We are blessed by not only a great basketball team but a great city in Houston. I was honored a couple months ago to receive an award along with Hakeem Olhajuwon. an outstanding alumnus of the University of Houston. I am proud that the University of Houston is playing a part in tonights world championship. because both of the Rockets stars. Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. were on the University of Houston teams in 1983 and 1984 when they went to the NCAA championship. The Rockets are fighting to have a backtoback .championship. They have overcome adversity and injuries to become the Western Conference champions. I see my colleague from Phoenix. There are great teams in Phoenix and other western divisions. I hope they 0 Printed on recycled paper containing 100% post consumer waste will join us in trying to keep the title in the western division.
Date: 1995-06-07
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I also missed rollcall vote 356. I was attending a drug free schools event at the White House. If I had been present. I would have voted "yes."
Date: 1995-06-08
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I would ask that the gentlemans words be taken down. Twice during this time. he called the Members of Congress liars and I would like to have those words taken down or an apology issued.
Date: 1995-06-08
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. if we could also make sure a sentence before the term "liar" or "liars" is used so we can see the total context. if that is possible.
Date: 1995-06-08
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. continuing to reserve the right to object. could we possibly have the words read to the House. both the sentence before. and frankly in two cases during the 1 minute of my colleague I heard the word "liar." I would like to hear both of them.
Date: 1995-06-08
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. the rescission bill was bad policy. It cuts education programs for children. The rescission bill cuts safe and drugfree schools. drastically reducing the funding to a little less than $10 million. Yesterday I was honored to be at the White House when the President honored 98 schools who received safe and drugfree school funds for their commitment to education in fighting crime and drugs. One of those schools recognized was Crespo Elementary. in Houston independent school district. an innercity school district located in the 29th Congressional District. When the doors of Crespo Elementary opened in 1992. it was an innercity school. Everyone expected it to be low performing. In 2 years that school has been recognized as a school by the Texas Education Agency for its academic performance and its positive drugfree environment. I applaud Crespos teachers and parents and administrators and students for their active programs. That is what works in this country. I stand by President Clintons veto of the rescissions bill on behalf of the 20 million schoolchildren in Texas and the hundreds at Crespo elementary who benefit from the antiviolence and drug funding.
Date: 1995-06-14
Speaker: PETE GEREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to this amendment. It has been noted over and over that the Concord Coalition. the Citizens against Government Waste. and the National Taxpayers Union support this amendment. This amendment is penny wise and pound foolish. I commend those organizations for the great work they do in many other areas. They totally miss the point on this issue. The premise of this amendment. as pointed out by my colleague from Virginia. Mr. BATEMAN. is that somehow we are over in Europe out of the goodness of our hearts. We are in Europe to protect vital American interests. I would like to share with my colleagues a letter we received today from General Shalikashvili and Secretary Perry. Because half the forces withdrawn from Europe would be eliminated. this amendment would lead to unilateral U.S. force reductions and compromise the Presidents ability to protect U.S. interests. not only in Europe but throughout the world. We request your support in defeating this amendment. Sincerely. John M. Shalikasvili and William Perry. Secretary of Defense. I urge my colleagues to vote no on this amendment.
Date: 1995-06-14
Speaker: PETE GEREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I want to take issue with my colleague. the gentleman from Rhode Island . on his claim that this is an Issue that has not been adequately studied. adequately reviewed. In fact. all we are talking about doing is taking the program that has worked very well with Federal prison inmates and expanding it to the State prison system. It has worked well. I have seen it at military bases around this country. They are able to stretch O&M dollars. make the most out of very limited budgets. and we. we are shrinking our defense budget. we are asking our military to do more with less. This will help us do that. And it is a twofer. Mr. Chairman. My constituents do not want to see prisoners sitting in airconditioned rooms watching television all day. This puts them to work. That is good for the system. that is good for the prisoners. It helps them rehabilitate them. So. we have a double win here. We got a win for the military. They get some of these tasks done that could not be done through the labor pool. and it forces prisoners to go to work and earn their keep. I urge support of the Kolbe amendment.