macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-19
Speaker: HERSETH SANDLIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. today I rise in support of House Resolution 1074 which honors the 60th anniversary of the commencement of the carving of the Crazy Horse Memorial located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I was proud to introduce this resolution that recognizes 60 years of work on the Crazy Horse Memorial. which. when completed. will be the largest carving in the worfd. In 1939. upon witnessing the carving of Mt. Rushmore. Dakota Chief Henry Standing Bear contacted sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski. Chief Standing Bear encouraged Ziolkowski to create a mountain memorial. writing "My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know the red man has great heroes. too." On June 3. 1948. the mountain was dedicated and oarving began. Though . Mr: Ziolkowski passed away in 1982. his wife. Ruth. and their family continue to make progress on carving the mountain. To this end. they have established the Crazy Horse Foundation which is dedicated to honoring the culture. tradition. and living heritage of North American Indians and the spirit of Crazy Horse. There is no projected completion date for the Crazy Horse Memorial due to the availability of funding and to natural challenges. such as weather and the structure of the mountain. On June 3rd. 2008. the Crazy Horse Memorial will commemorate the 60th anniversary since Chief Standing Bears dedication of the mountain. I thank my colleagues in joining me in celebrating the accomplishments of the Ziolkowski family. recognizing the legacy of Crazy Horse. and honoring the contributions and sacrifices of the Lakota nation and all Native Americans.
Date: 2008-05-19
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise to honor Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and to pay tribute to the many achievements and honor the countless unique contributions to the United States made by Asian Pacific Americans across our Nation. May 7. 1843 marked the first arrival of Japanese immigrants to the United States and May 10. 1869 signaled the completion of the transcontinental railroad which is greatly credited to the labor of the Chinese immigrants. Therefore. it is appropriate that during this month we recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by Asian Pacific Americans. Today. there are over 14 million Asian Pacific Americans living in the United States. representing 5 percent of the population. The rich history associated with the Asian Pacific American has left a lasting imprint on our country. Over the years. the Asian Pacific American communities have made significant contributions to Texass diverse culture. In my district. Dallas. TX. I am privileged to have the largest Asian American Chamber in the United States with more than 1.200 members. I believe that we all can learn from those who come from different backgrounds and cultures. and I can truly say that I have learned a great deal from my Asian Pacific friends and constituents. I would. also like to offer my deepest condolence to the families and friends of those who perished from recent tragedies in China and Myanmar. Mr. Speaker. I Am proud to support this resolution and the Asian Pacific American communities in North Texas and across the United States.
Date: 2008-05-20
Speaker: HERSETH SANDLIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 3681. the "Veterans Benefits Awareness Act" which authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to advertise in the national media to promote awareness of benefits under laws administered by the Secretary. As an original cosponsor of H.R. 3681. and the Chairwoman of the Veterans Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee. I would like to thank Representative BOOZMAN. who serves as the Subcommittee Ranking Member. for introducing this important bill. I also would like to recognize Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman FILNER and Ranking Member BUYER for their strong leadership and for working to quickly move this bill to the House floor. It is important that Congress not only. provide the .VA with the resources to properly care for our nations veterans. but that we also provide them with the authority to promote awareness of benefits that are available to veterans and their dependents. Again. I thank Representative BOOZMAN for introducing this important bill. I encourage my colleagues to support it.
Date: 2008-05-20
Speaker: HERSETH SANDLIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 3889. a bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a longitudinal study of the vocational rehabilitation programs administered by the VA. I would like to thank Representative BOOZMAN. the Ranking Member of the Veterans Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee. which I Chair. for introducing H.R. 3889 to help determine the effectiveness and longterm outcomes of the VAs vocational rehabilitation programs for disabled veterans. These vocational rehabilitation programs are important factors in helping disabled veterans obtain and keep suitable jobs. They also help seriously disabled veterans achieve independence in daily living. I also would like to thank Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman FILNER .and Ranking Member BUYER for their support of the bill and for working to quickly move this legislation to the House floor. I support H.R. 3889 to ensure the VAs vocational rehabilitation services are helping disabled veterans reach their rehabilitation goals. Again. I thank Representative BOOZMAN for introducing this important bill. I encourage my colleagues to support it.
Date: 2008-05-20
Speaker: HERSETH SANDLIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 5664. a bill to direct the VA to update the plans and specifications for specially adapted housing furnished to veterans. As the Chairwoman of the Veterans Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee. I would like to thank Representative RODRIGUEZ for introducing this important bill. I also would. like to thank Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman FILNER and Ranking Member BUYER for their support of the bill. The VAs main grant program guide which is provided to contractors to draw up plans and specifications to modify homes. was last updated in 1978. H.R. 5664 will ensure that the 30yearold guide contains uptodate directions and is applicable for todays veterans. who often come home from battle with injuries different than servicemembers from previous military conflicts. Again. I thank Representative RODRIGUEZfor introducing this important bill. I encourage my colleagues to support it.
Date: 2008-05-20
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of House Resolution 1054. to honor the service and achievements of women in the Armed Forces and female veterans. I want to thank my colleague and good friend. Chairwoman SUSAN DAVIS. for sponsoring this resolution. Next Monday. we will observe Memorial Day. which honors the brave men and women who have courageously served and died in uniform. Women have voluntarily served in support of U.S. military efforts since the Revolutionary War as nurses. cooks and laundresses. Now. women have risen through the ranks and occupy the roles of generals. commanders. pilots. and drill sergeants. American women have served this country selflessly and with great courage. Today. I recognize the nearly 800.000 women who have served and the hundreds who have been killed .or taken prisoner of war. Their service demonstrates that women are fully capable and willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. They are an example to all women and men who will follow in their footsteps.-
Date: 2008-05-21
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to address a growing national trend. cyberbullying. Many of us know of the dangers our kids already face online: predators. fraud. and sexually explicit material. Now children are also facing online bullying. When a young person is ridiculed or threatened online. it can have severe and even tragic effects. A perfect case in point is Megan Meier. a St. Louis teenager who made friends with a young man named Josh online. The friendship soon deteriorated. with Josh telling Megan. "The world would be better off without you." Megap Meier committed suicide. Six weeks after Megans death came the -horrifying news that Josh was actually just an alias created by the mother of one of Megans former friends. At the time of Megans death. cyberbullying was not considered a crime. The adult responsible for the hoax went unpunished. Recently. Federal charges were filed. but the prosecutor had to be creative because Federal law is inadequate. That is wrong. Congress must act soon to send a clear message: Online actions have offline consequences.
Date: 2008-05-21
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentleman. This bill continues the new Congress steadfast commitment to driving a clean energy revolution in our country and stimulating nearterm growth in our struggling economy. Gas prices are up around $4 a gallon. Climate change is a clear and present danger. We need to wean ourselves off of largely imported foreign sources of fossil fuel. This bill charts that new course. the right course. It provides critical incentives for accelerated energy production from wind. geothermal. and hydropower souroes. It includes investment tax credits for solar and fuel cell properties and a number of other factors. To give our economy a boost. the legislation extends progrowth policies like the R&D tax credit. and cuts taxes for millions of middle class families through a host of provisions including the expanded child tax credit. Mr. Speaker. this is a progrowth. proenvironment. forwardlooking and fully paid for package that helps move our country in a new direction. Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle continue to resist change. They had a monopoly on power in Washington for 6 years and did nothing. Now they have become the party of "no." veto. and the status quo. Lets move in a new direction.
Date: 2008-05-21
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. I wish to thank Chairman SKELTON for his hard work and leadership in developing this important piece of legislation. And. Mr. Chairman. I would also like to say to the gentlemen who are retiring this year. I think just on the top row of our committee. we are probably losing collectively about 65 years of experience on this committee. and it has been my pleasure over the last 12 years to serve on this committee with you all. and you will sorely be missed and the institutional knowledge that you carry will be missed also. So we have a lot of good colleagues who. are leaving the Congress this year. This legislation provides critical support to our Armed Forces through many important initiatives. Im proud that the legislation. for example. provides a 3.9 percent acrosstheboard pay raise for the members of our services. And in addition. H.R. 5658 prohibits the implementation of the Presidents proposals to increase health care copays and cost sharing for beneficiaries of the TRICARE health care and pharmacy services. This bill also takes a step in providing for the first time ever the military preventative health care programs. which will improve the lives Df our servicemembers. of our retirees. and family members. Preventative health care has been proven to improve individuals longterm health and to provide substantial cost savings since healthier people require less medical service. And Im very pleased that. Chairwoman DAvIs proposed this innovative health care program and that it is also paid for. This bill also includes several proposals that I sought to have included. And as the ranking woman on the Armed Services Committee. I am proud that one of these provisions establishes a centralized caselevel database of information about sexual assaults that involve our servicemembers. The database will be consistent with all privacy guidelines ajnd restrictions while tracking information about the nature of assaults and the outcome of any legal proceedings in connection with the assault.
Date: 2008-05-21
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cal

ifornia. Mr. Chairman. this is a Very important step towards ensuring accountability for sexual assaults involving our servicemembers. Im also very proud that per my request this bill requires the Department of Defense to conduct a study of its bandwidth needs for the near and long term. This study will help us ensure that the department has the capability to operate the advanced information technology systems that our military relies on. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. It really is a great bill. And thank you to all of our Chair people and ranking members for having made it such a great bill.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 3021. a bill that will help our local schools build the highquality classrooms that our students deserve. This responsible legislation. which we will consider today. provides for needed investments in public school facilities. investments that will result in improved student performance. Our Nations public school facilities are in disrepair. This is a disgrace. and it impedes our students ability to learn. Local education agencies want to make a difference. but they need our help. With our younger students. we know that maintenance issues draw them away from focusing on what they need to focus on in the classroom. when they see chipping paint. water dripping from ceilings. poor heating and cooling. We need to change that. And older students cannot be prepared for the 21st Century if they dont have a 21st Century classroom. These examples are not just anecdotal. There is firm evidence that suggests that we must invest in our school facilities in order to improve students performance. By failing to do so. we are sending our youth a message that we dont care about them. So I hope that my colleagues will vote with the best ifterests of ourstudents and vote on this legislation in the affirmative today.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include. extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 311.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker. House Concurrent Resolution 311 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the annual Soap Box Derby. As all Members are aware. this is an annual event held here on Capitol Hill. Activities planned for this event will be coordinated with the Office of the Architect of the Capitol and. like all events on Capitol Hill grounds. will be free and open to the public. The 2008 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby will take place on Constitution Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Third Streets. Northwest. on June The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby has been held on the U.S. Capitol Grounds since 1991 and has attracted over 60 youth participants in each of those years.. In 2007. for the first time in the 66 year history of the D.C. Soap Box Derby. a local participant won the Masters title in the national competition in Akron. Ohio. The AllAmerican Derby Youth Program is administered by the International Soap Box Derby. Incorporated. an Akronbased nonprofit corporation. This is a familyoriented event and is supported by hundreds of parents and volunteers. I urge support for the resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I would like to close. Madam Speaker. by simply saying that this resolution was a resolution -to allow the International Soap Box Derby. an organization thats a nonprofit based in Akron. Ohio. to use the Capitol Grounds. and I fully support that. I want to call attention to one thing. In January of 2001. the month that this current President took office. gas was $1.47 a gallon. Today. the national average is $3.81. and I just want that for the record. with all the other comments that have been made on this particular bill for the Soap Box Derby. I urge the pasiage of the permission to allow the Soap Box Derby to use our Capitol Grounds.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Incorporated.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous materials on H. Con. Res. 335.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 1716 Spielbusch Avenue in Toledo. Ohio. as the "James M. & Thomas W.L. Ashley Customs Building and United States Courthouse." as amended.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. .J ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I move that we support this resolution for a very deserving family. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to THOMAS JEFFERSON CENSUS BU- include extraneous materials on H.R.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to designate the Federal building located at 4600 Silver Hill Road in Suitland. Maryland. as the- "Thomas Jefferson Census Bureau Headquarters Building".
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I might consume. Madam Speaker. H.R. 5599 is a bill to designate the Federal building in Suitland. Maryland. as the Thomas Jefferson .Census Bureau Headquarters Building. The bill has bipartisan support. * Although Thomas Jefferson is best remembered as the third President of the United States. as the allthor of the Declaration of Independence. he also is considered by some to be the first director of the U.S. census. In 1790. while Secretary of State. Jefferson conducted the first national census. Although the practice of performing a census has been in practice for thousands of years. the U.S. census in considered to be the first modern periodic census. Several European countries followed suit shortly after in the early 19th century. Today. the results of the census are used to determine the size of congressional districts. the allocation of seats allotted .to each State in the U.S. House of Representatives. as a factor in the allocation of Federal resources. and perhaps most importantly as a research tool to track economic and population trends in the United States. It is moft fitting and proper that we support this designation and honor one of Jeffersons numerous contributions to our Nations history. I support H.R. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I have no further requests for time. and I move the passage of this resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide additional authorizations of appropriations for the health centers pro-. gram under section 330 of such Act. as amended.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. as much as I would like to debate energy prices. hopefully we can deal with renewal of qualified health centers. Madam Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise to close. We have no other speakers. First to comment on my colleague from Georgia. Coming from Houston. Texas. I have some pipeline companies that would love to have that contract from Mars to Houston to bring oil if we discover it drilling through that ice there. I appreciate. as a physician. your devotion to communitybased health clinics. because thats what this bill is about. its about reauthorizing. InT fact. as we stand here today. Madam Speaker. were actually expanding one in our district. Like I said earlier. we only have 10 in the Houston area. and our next largest city close to us has 80. So we have a job to do in Houston. in Texas--and my colleague from Fort Worth mentioned itto expand communitybased health centers. This bill will allow us to do that because it will go to the underserved community. areas in the country that really dont even have access to a communitybased health center now and will have with this legislation. also with the additional authorization funds. Of course we have to go back and ask the Appropriations Committee every year for additional funding that we authorize. But thats something that we do. This is very bipartisan support for communitybased health centers. Thats why I would hope that we would have almost unanimous support for this legislation.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the poison center pational tollfree number. national media campaign. and grant program to provide assistance for poison prevention. sustain the funding of poison centers. and enhance the public health of people of the United States.
Date: 2008-06-04
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration