macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-08
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to the amendment. Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. as I stated before. I agree in principle with the concept behind the gentlemans amendment. This bill. which adopts the administrations approach on the treatment of military funding. would make the postal service the only agency responsible for the military costs of the CSRS retirees. I do not think it is right. I do not think it is fair to postal rate payers. Unlike other agencies in government. this is an enterprise fund that is paid for by the rate payers who should not have to bear this burden. I think it puts strains on the post office that should not be there. The postal services mandate is to charge rate payers for its operating and overhead expenses and to break even over time. While the postal service does pay for military benefits for its FERS employees. it has never been required to for its CSRS employees. and neither is any other agency in government. However. the administration is categorically opposed to any treatment of military funding other than the FERS model that they propose. The bills principle sponsor. the gentleman from New York . is going to speak on this more fully in just a moment. But with so much at stake in this legislation. I think we have to move forward on what we can agree on and follow the administrations approach at this time. We will carefully consider the results of the studies that we have mandated in this bill. But still. I want to thank my colleague from California for highlighting this important issue. Mr. Speaker. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York .
Date: 2003-04-09
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to say that I too rise in strong support of the Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act of 2003. and todays bill goes to great lengths to help our brave military men and women and their families despite what has been said out there. I had the distinct honor of serving my country in the Air Force for about 29 years. So my family and I know something about military life. And my wife. Shirley. told me that one her worst moments was when the military chaplain pulled up in front of the house after I was shot down in Vietnam. and her heart just stopped. We never know what they are going to say. but we know It is not going to be good. I imagine the unspeakable horror of despair and utmost despair of a family who just lost a loved one in the military. only to be followed up by a visit from the taxman. That is just wrong. So this bill fixes that. Let us change it and pass it today. This bill permits the entire amount of the death benefit gratuity to be tax free. Let us eliminate the unfair. immoral tax on the death benefit a servicemans survivor receives from the Armed Forces. It is the least we can do. These families have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We do not need to take any more from them. On a more positive note. I would like to thank all those who helped eliminate the penalty on military academy students and their families when it comes to withdrawing funds from a 529 education savings account. The Miesses of Plano brought that to my attention. Now the Plebe. the Zoomle. and the Middy will all have the same benefit of being able to take out money tax free like an athlete on a scholarship. This is a good bill. This bill is a shining example of democracy at its best. in my opinion. It helps our military now. and they need it. and they are doing a great job.
Date: 2003-04-10
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Chairman. on March 20. the Committee on Government Reform reported out the Federal Government Energy Management Improvement Act. establishing energy efficiency standards and pdlicies for Federal buildings and the Federal fleet of automobiles. The committee. which has primary jurisdiction over Federal procurement policy. Federal property management. including the management of buildings and vehicles and the Federal civil service. marked up this legislation dealing with these issues with the intention that it would be made a part of the comprehensive energy bill. This amendment being offered by me and the gentleman from California . my ranking member on the Committee on Government Reform. improves the comprehensive energy bill by harmonizing the provisions regarding Federal energy efficiency in H.R. 6 with the provisions reported out by the committee. First of all. our amendment would add a study of the energy conservation implications of the widespread adoption of telecommuting by Federal employees in the United States as a way for the Federal Government to be a leader in energy conservation. The second thing that our amendment would do is direct the General Services Administration. in cooperation with the Department of Energy. to consider the merits of establishing performance measures to guide the reduction of petroleum consumption by the Federal fleet. Congress role should be to decide where the Federal Government should be in terms of energy consumption in
Date: 2003-04-10
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Chairman. I yield myself such time as I may consume. and I share my friends regret that his amendment was not made in order. I testified for it at the Committee on Rules. But somewhere in that speech I think was endorsement of the pending amendment. am I correct?
Date: 2003-04-10
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. the budget that we have before us today is one that we should all be proud of. What we are doing is. we are keeping our promise on education aid. Education aid is up. over 6 percent over the 2003 level. Pell Grants are up 12 percent. And. Mr. Speaker. particularly in my district. where I have a large number of veterans. It is very important that the veterans understand that we are $6.2 billion over the fiscal year 2003 figures. That is a 10.7 percent Increase. And in discretionary spending. which Is health care. where there is a long wait in my State on PMiority 8. where veterans are having to wait up to 18 months for service. we are increasing that amount by 12.9 percent. We are keeping our promise on education. We are able to provide the veterans benefits that are necessary. and we also are making sure that the uninsured at least have a start and a chance at having some insurance. Childrens health care. which is very important in every single State. whether it is called SCHIP in some States. or we called it KidCare. it is up by $14 billion. a 9 percent increase. Sure. we had to postpone when we balanced the budget to 9 years. but we are at war. we have a downturn in the economy. and this budget answers what I believe the majority of the constituents in the State of Florida absolutely need. What it does is it also protects Medicare and puts additional funding into Medicare of 7.7 percent more. That is a responsible budget. and that is one that I can go home very proudly and tell people that these are the figures that we have in our budget while still insisting that every agency go after fraud. waste and abuse. That is responsibility. my colleagues.
Date: 2003-04-11
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

changed their vote from "aye" to "no." So the amendment was rejected. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Date: 2003-04-29
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Viginia

Committee o Government Reform. H.R. 1346. A bill to amend the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to provide an additional function of the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy relating to encouraging Federal procurement policies that enhance energy efficiency. with an amendment. referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for a period ending not later than June 2. 2003. for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the Jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause 1(q). rule X (Rept. 10878. Pt. 1).
Date: 2003-04-30
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise this morning to salute our soldiers of tomorrow. That is the servicebound academy students of the Third District of the Texas. This district of Texas is home to some of the best and the brightest young people. and it is always an honor to recommend such fine students to our Nations service actions. On the heels of our swift victory in Iraq. I know they are ready to join the premier military force of the world. This year. north Texas is going to send five students to the United States Military Academy two to the United States Naval Academy. four to the United States Air Force Academy. four to the Merchant Marine Academy with students hailing from Allen. Frisco. Garland. Plano and Richardson. I think that this is something that every student wants to do. They want to become a member of the defense of our country. The 15 appointees and their hometowns are as follows:
Date: 2003-04-30
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Chairman. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I rise. first of all. to commend the gentleman from Delaware for the very hard work and the dedication he has for improving education for special needs children. I have some concerns about the bill. and I bring them up because I hope they will be addressed in conference. Number one. I read through the bill and spoke to staff. It does not seem to have any mechanism in there to inform parents of services that actually are available to them for their children. The second concern that I have is that a parent might choose a 3year IEP because of a misunderstanding or being misinformed by the school district. We must ensure that parents are not intimidated by school districts into agreeing to a 3year IEP when. indeed. there needs to be more followup for many students. And. third. we need to make sure that there are not any retaliation tactics that may occur at some school districts. Parents tell me that very often they fear retaliation. I would encourage the sponsor of the bill to make sure that these considerations are taken in when they do the conference.
Date: 2003-04-30
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of H.R. 1350 as I believe it will make many necessary reforms to better serve our Nations specialneeds students. but wish to makes my reservations known about funding levels for part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It is well known that Congress committed to contribute up to 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure of educating special needs children. and Congress failure to achieve even half of that 40 percent promise is even more well known. In fact. in 28 years Congress has never contributed more than 17.6 percent. leaving local school districts with too heavy a burden to provide for their special needs children. Thus. I am currently cosponsor to H.R. 1094. legislation that would authorize appropriations to achieve the full. 40 percent funding for part B of IDEA by 2008. I believe it is imperative that the Federal Government keep its promise to our Nations special needs children. While I am pleased that funding for IDEA has steadily risen in the last several years. Congress is long overdue in providing its promise of 40 percent. That said. I support H.R. 1350. although I realize that its funding levels for part B of IDEA are lower than those that would be authorized if H.R. 1094 were signed into law. While I realize this discrepancy. I do believe that H.R. 1350 puts forth a goodfaith effort to dramatically increase the Federal Governments expenditure for special needs children. H.R. 1350 will set in motion a plan to finally achieve the 40 percent funding. and thus makes a statement that Congress realizes its current funding shortfall of IDEA. I will continue to fight for full funding for part B of IDEA in the budget for FY2004 and beyond.
Date: 2003-04-30
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H

(during Special Order of Mr. HOEKSTRA) from the Committee on Rules submitted a privileged report (Rept. No. 10880) on the resolution (H. Res. 210) providing for consideration of the bill to provide assistance to foreign countries to combat HIV/AIDS. tuberculosis. and malaria. and for other purposes. which was referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed.
Date: 2003-05-01
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. by the direction of the Committee on Rules. I call up House Resolution 210 and ask for its immediate consideration.
Date: 2003-05-01
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. for the purposes of debate only. I yield the customary 30 minutes to my good friend. the gentleman from Florida . pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution. Mr. Speaker. all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.
Date: 2003-05-01
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that during consideration of H.R. 1298. pursuant to House Resolution 206. it shall be in order to consider the amendment that I have placed at the desk as amendment No. 8 in House Report 10880.
Date: 2003-05-01
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. precisely because issues like these are so important and need to be discussed is why we have made them in order in the Committee on Rules for discussion. Mr. Speaker. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas .
Date: 2003-05-01
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman from Florida . I reiterate and strongly believe there are few things that we could do more important than what we are going to do today. I am very proud to have been able to "bring forward this rule to provide for consideration of this extraordinarily important legislation. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time. and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.
Date: 2003-05-07
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to urge my colleagues in the House to support a real jobs and economic growth package. It is time to bring muchneeded stimulus to our economy and to bring renewed hope to American workers. There are currently several million Americans actively looking for work and unable to find it. For those individuals and those families. it is imperative that we do all that we can to put this willing. able and wellqualified workforce to work. We must provide the means for economic growth and job creation. That is what creates jobs. We need to put more money in the hands of American workers to spend and invest so that jobs can be created. When individuals have more disposable income. they spend it or invest it. and that improves the situation of businesses. When businesses have more money at their disposal. they can expand and hire more people. Tax relief creates jobs. It is that simple. The more people we have working. the more money we will see spent and invested in this country. The more money we see spent and invested in this country. the quicker the economy will rebound. The quicker the economy rebounds. the better off we will all be.
Date: 2003-05-07
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I rise In strong support of H. Res. 213. which exfresses the sense of the House that public service employees should be commended for their dedication and service to the Nation during Public Service Recognition Week. There was a time when we were taught that "public service is a public trust." That is true. but it Is something more as well. In the aftermath of September 11. it is clear that public service is the bedrock of our Republic. Public sector employees. who have always been vital to the efficient. effective running of the govemment. now find themselves at the heart of our war on terrorism. It is the job they do that not only improves our quality of life. but also keeps us safe from those who would do us harm. It is fitting that we set aside a week to recognize the indispensable contributions of those in public service. They have chosen public service despite the fact that the private sector could often have offered a more lucrative career. That said. there Is no reason we should take their selflessness for granted. They still deserve our best efforts to enhance pay and benefits. provide Improved and Innovative training opportunities. and to reexamine the cultural barriers that unfortunately persist in government that make life less than Ideal for public sector workers. In short. we must show those already in public service that we appreciate the job they do for us. We must also show those contemplating a career in public service that there are many advantages and opportunities to doing so. Mr. Speaker. only one In six collegeeducated Americans expresses significant Interest in working for the Federal Govemment. At the same time. half of the Federal workforce will be eligible to retire within the next 5 years. Therefore. it is incumbent upon us in Congress to reinvigorate a culture of public service across the country. We can do so taking the steps I have described above. As Chairman of the Government Reform Committee. I have been working hard to craft Initiatives that will allow us to retain those employees we already have. while attracting the best and brightest of our young people to the public sector. I am confident we will be successful. Mr. Speaker. in closing. I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank those In public service for their dedication and commitment to our great Nation. I also want to reaffirm my commitment to giving them the best professional opportunities and working environment possible.
Date: 2003-05-07
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman from Georgia. Before I say anything else. I think it is important to once again commend the gentleman from Georgia . I recall his words before the war talking about the importance of liberating the people of Iraq and how frustrated I think many in this country and the gentleman was by the reaction of some of the extreme left that was really just denigrating really the Iraqi people. saying that they could not be free. saying that they did not want to be free. saying that they were not going to welcome the liberating troops. And the gentleman was very clear then. and he continues to be very clear. and I want to thank him for that. It is amazing how common sense does prevail. The gentleman was just mentioning that now that the left has to admit that the people of Iraq deserve to be free. wanted to be free. deserve to be free. now they are saying. well. democracy is going to be very difficult. I can tell my colleagues one thing: it is not going to be as difficult as it would have been if Saddam Hussein were stfll there. So I think it is once again the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces. who put their lives on the line. once again. to protect our freedoms. to protect our liberties. and to liberate a people who have been suffering for a generation. who deserve our thanks and our praise. I think our President deserves our thanks and our praise for his leadership. for the way that he has shown steadfast leadership. I think we all must admire his convictions and his love for freedom. And I think the Iraqi people as well as the American people are so much better off. because we have gotten rid of. through our armed services. those brave young men and women and the leadership of our President have gotten rid of a dictator who was a threat not only to the Iraqi people and to the region. but clearly a grave threat to the American people.
Date: 2003-05-07
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. if the gentleman will yield. not only can they not stand that. but they also want to blame the United States for all of the ills. I keep hearing that the United States is to blame for everything. The bad people in Iraq were the brave men and women who were there to liberate the Iraqi people. Now. it is pretty obvious when we see the Iraqi peoples reaction. tearing down the statues. crying when they see these unmarked graves where their relatives were thrown in. probably taken in the middle of the night by the Iraqi regime. it is pretty obvious who the bad people were. It is pretty obvious who the good guy is and has always been. and that is the American people. the American GIs and men and women who liberated France once. twice. and yet the French seem to believe that it is okay for the U.S. to sacrifice blood to liberate France twice. but it is not okay for anybody else to be liberated. It seems that only they have the Godgiven right to be free. Well. I say to my colleagues. that is an attitude that I do not share. it is an attitude that the American people do not share. it is clearly not an attitude and thank God that the American President. our President does not share. Freedom is not something that we can just throw away so easily. it is something that is given by God. And every once in a while. because of the sacrifice. the patriotism. the love of freedom of our men and women in uniform who are all volunteers. scmetimes some tough sacrifices are made to make sure that our interests. our peoples interests. our freedoms are protected and also at the same time that we can liberate people who have suffered so much. The gentleman was just mentioning the atrocities committed on women by Saddam Husseins regime. the atrocities committed on children. on everybody. And thank God and thank our Armed Forces and our President that that nightmare is over. There are some grave challenges ahead. because democracy is not easy.