macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Madam President. a friend and colleague from my neighboring State of Virginia. HARRY F. BYRD. is retiring after three terms in the Senate. He has had a career truly unique in American politics. continuing a long and proud family tradition of public service at the highest levels. He has been a friend of the taxpayer. a defender of States rights. a vigilant and studious supporter . of a strong national defense. and an unbending advocate of political freedom for those not as fortunate as we to live In a democracy. I know his decision to retire was a difficult one. He must and should be proud tat his careerlong efforts to focu. the debate more critically on economy in government has indeed become part of our everyday debate. I know the people of Virginia. whom he has so conscientiously served. will miss him. as I and my Democratic colleagues will. I hope the future holds all the best for him in the years ahead.
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. it is inevitable. in an elected body. for the day to come when It is necessary to say goodbye to valued colleagues. and to welcome new ones. The feelings on such a day are always mixedgood feelings in reflecting back on shared struggles and victories. and good feelings in anticipation of new friendships. but sad. or should I say reflective. feelings on knowing we will miss the companionship and assistance of old friends. HOWARD has served the Senate since 1958. His accomplishments are many. and known to many as well. I recall. in particular. his willingness to tackle complex. and sometimes controversial issues in the Rules Committee. like the disputed New Hampshire election. He handled that delicate assignment with fairness and dispatch. He used the same committee to work on the unglamorous but difficult and extremely Important Federal election laws. which are. necessary to the proper functioning of our electoral democracy. I am sure that other Senators will describe. rightly. his more visible and major contributions in the areas of the space program. telecommunications. and national transportation. In each of these. he has been a leader. and left behind a legacy of improved public policy. He will be missed. I wish him the best.
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to.object. I think I know what the majority leader is trying to do. I do not believe his request would quite accomplish it. if the Senator will pardon me for saying so. I would think the point should be made clear that any return to legislative session for the purpose of going back into executive session would not automatically trigger the return to the legislation which the distinguished Senator from Nebraska is speaking on. I think I shall support that legislation. but I want to protect him. I also want to help the majority leader carry out his obligations.
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I do not think it requires a precedent. I think the majority leader is attempting to do what I would attempt to do if I were in his position. That is. once one nomination is disposed of. I would move to go back to legislative session. immediately seek recognition because I can get. as he can get it. and seek to go back into executive session for the purpose of going back to the next nomination. But if we go back into legislative session under the request. I am afraid that Mr. ZORINSKY would have a legitimate reason to expect to be recognized ahead of the majority leader.
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I think that would be possible. The majority leader has not asked to go to the Feldstein nomination yet. has he?
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I will respond. if I may. if the Senator will yield. There are Senators on this side who support the nomination but who. nevertheless. because it is a Cabinet level nomination believe that there should be a rolicall vote on such a nomination. Therefore. we would request one.
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I think I should say that there is no desire for a rollcall so far as I know on the remaining two nominations on the calendar. That being the case. the Senate. following the rollcall on this. I assume would have the understanding that there would be no rollcall votes on the other two nominations. if the majority leader would wish to dispose of them by unanimous consent first to clarify the matter for everyone.
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. there is no objection to the discharge of the bill from the committee. and there is no objection to proceeding to the consideration of the bill.
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. does the distinguished acting majority leader have any idea as to what time the first rollcall will occur on tomorrow?
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: JOHN L. BURTON (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I would like to associate myself with the remarks of the gentleman from California. We Just ought to stop wasting time and money discussing working on this missile and start worrying about the quality of life for the people of this Nation.
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: JOHN L. BURTON (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I move to strike the requisite number of words and I rise to speak in support of the amendment. This really I hope will not be read as an historic day. It will be read as an historic day if we vote down the Harkin amendment because we will be opening up ourselves to another Vietnam. This will not happen next year and it will not happen the year after. but sooner or later. as we arm Somozas friendsand he was a thief and he was a thug and he was a fascist and he was corrupt. He took out of that country with a lot of American taxpayers dollars that were given in aid to the people of that country and not to him personally. but he took them unto himself personally. We will have American advisers in there. I would remind my colleagues that the war in Vietnam started in 1954 with 36 airplane mechanics. JOHN STENNIS stood on the floor of the U.S. Senate and said when you send these mechanics you will send the American flag. When you send the American flag you send an American commitment and you send our honor and certain things will happen. If my colleagues read the speech by the distinguished Senator from Mississippi. it looks like a history of Vietnam except it was written in advance. If we do not stop the CIA now from engaging in covert activities to overthrow a government of another country we will be involved not just only in Nicaragua but throughout Central America because we do not somehow understand that they are no longer banana republics owned by the United Fruit Co.. but they are sovereign nations that are run by the people of that country. They may not be run in a way that we would like but then this administration is not run in a way that people in this country like. The Carter administration. Democratic administrations are always not run in a manner that the Republicans like. But that is just the way of life. But it is their country and it is their government and we have no business screwing around over there. causing trouble that is going to lead this country into military adventurism. It will start with a covert activity and it will progress to a paramilitary adventure. We will end up in a fullblown military adventure because you cannot defeat another people in their own country and that is something we should have learned. I strongly urge the people of this body of this committee to support the Harkin amendment. All that it really says is that the CIA. that rogue elephant. has to obey the law. has to obey the law. They are raking your constituents tax dollars and my constituents tax dollars and starting trouble down in Central America. I did not give them that authority and you did not give them that authority and the people of this country. everyone is worried about deficits in spending and balanced budgets. Let us chop off $17 million or $20 million here and save it. It is the wrong thing for this country of ours to be doing. to be messing in the affairs of another sovereign nation. I would strongly urge my colleagues to support the Harkin amendment.
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: JOHN L. BURTON (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. it is not our Government that is doing it. It is not our Congress that ratifies that. It is not our taxpayers that are paying for it. That is why.
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: JOHN L. BURTON (democrat)
Chamber: H

If the gentleman will yield further. I will introduce an amendment to prohibit funds from this bill goIng for that purpose.
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. regardless of party affiliation or political differences. Members of the House are going to miss the service of my good friend. JOHN ROUSSELOT. In characteristic fashion. when reapportionment forced JOHN ROUSSELOT into the congressional district of a friend and colleague. he went to an open seat and ran a tremendous campaign against overwhelming odds. By this act alone. JOHN RousSELOT qualifies for a chapter in the late John Kennedys book. "Profiles in Courage." Political courage. honesty. and integrity. are all characteristics of JOHN RouSSELOT. He Is a modern equivalent of Sir Thomas More. truly a "Man for All Seasons." He does not mind taking a stand and speaking his mind. He is intellectually honest. and if he disagrees with you. his demeanor can be incisive but his nature is that of a gentleman and loyal opponent. In short. he pulls no punches. We need more men and women in public office willing to emulate the traits of a person like JOHN RousSELOT. Parliamentary democracy had its genesis in America with men of his caliber. men who were not afraid of expressing what at the time was an unpopular point of view. because they realized the longrange consequences would benefit a free and open society. On occasion I have disagreed with JOHN RousSELOT. but on every occasion whether in disagreement or agreement. I feel the greatest admiration for his adherence to good manners and his love of the give and take of participatory democracy. He can be sarcastic and tough as nails. but like one of his early mentors. the renowned paragon of parliamentary maneuvering. the Honorable H. R. Gross. the verbal assaults are not meant to be personal or rancorous. It is my understanding that the California Legislature must again go back to the drawing board on redistricting. I have a feeling that once this is accomplished. our dear friend. JOHN RouSSELOT. Will once again prepare for battle. I sure hope so. We need the voice of loyal opposition. We will always need legislators who are willing to tackle the unpopular issues and take the unpopular stands. Thats what democracy and freedom is all about. and thats what JOHN ROUSSELOT is all about. I wish him well.*
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. DON CLAUSEN is a gentleman and friend of the first order. I am going to miss his congeniality. good advice. and above all. his friendship. DON CLAUSEN has an enjoyable personality. and we have come to rely on his charm and good manners. In short. he is well liked by his colleagues. Despite representing an area with vastly conflicting political opinions. DON CLAUSEN has achieved an outstanding record of constituent service. He is an extremely dedicated Member of Congress and has a reputation for hard work and being informed on the myriad of issues that come before the Interior Committee and the Public Works and Transportation Committee. As a strong proponent of air transportation. DON CLAUSEN has been a solid and effective voice in promoting civil aviation. Much of the technological leadtime that this Nation enjoys in aerospace is due to the dedication and commitment of people like DON CLAUSEN. and there is no question that the aviation community will sorely miss the leadership he has provided in strengthening their cause in the Congress. I look forward to working with DON in the future. It has been a privilege to have served with him for the past 6/a years.e
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. one of the very sad results of this years elections is the fact that BARRY GOLDWATER. JR.. will not be serving with us next year. While his campaign to represent California In the Senate fell short. we all know that the GOLDWATER name Is synonymous with politics and public service. and I have a strong feeling that he will once again enter the political fray. I sure hope so. because he has achieved a great deal since coming to the House in 1969. BARRY GOLDWATER. JR.. fervently shares his fathers love of country and the free enterprise system which has provided the abundance we all enjoy. He has fought Government regulation and was in the forefront of the successful struggle during the 1973 oil embargo to assure that no class of energy user was denied equity In the energy distribution system. As an eloquent and effective jromoter of the Nations space effort. VARRY has made a magnificent contribition to the House Science and Technology Committee. He was a favorite of the late Tiger Teague. my dear friend from Texas. who served so effectively as chairman of the committee. In addition. BARRY- has been a legislative pioneer in the area of alternative energy sources. During the last decade as energy research and development bills have come to the floor for debate. his influence has been positive and effective in shaping their direction. As a strong advocate of civilian and military aviation. BARRY GOLDWATER. JR.. has promoted both the technological and economic aspects of this vital segment of the economy. Aviation in every category will mLss his leadership and devotion to their cause. In the growing age of socalled Big Brother. it was BARRY GOLDWATER. JR.. who launched a nationwide campaign to guarantee individual privacy in the relationship of a citizen to his government. The 1974 Privacy Act bears his name. and everyone who cherishes the first amendment to our Constitution owes him a debt of gratitude. BARRY GOLDWATER. JR.. has served his State and Nation well. He will be back in this capacity. I feel confident. It has been an honor for me to have served with him.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. if any Senator on my side desires time. I am prepared to yield time. Mr. President. I suggest the absence of a quorum with the time to be charged against my time under the standing order.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. the motion to waive the provisions of the Budget Act is a privileged matter. That motion would not be displaced by calling up an unprivileged bill. I believe.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Yes. Mr. President.. I just want the RECORD to be clarified for future understanding. Now that the motion has been made to proceed to another matter. what happens to the previous motion to waive? We cannot have two motions to proceed pending at the same time.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

So the majority leader will have to renew that motion at such time as he may want to bring that up.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. will the Senator indulge me one further moment? I have no particular interest one way or the other at the moment in the matter in which the Senator is discussing.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I am a little troubled by what is developing on these motions. I am not talking about the subject matter. but I am a little troubled that a motion can be pending before the Senate and another motion can be made without the withdrawal of the previous motion and that the Senate will proceed to act on the second motion. This bothers me. Perhaps this is a legitimate procedure. but I would like to have some clarification of this. We could have any number of motions. before the Senate. if that is the case. I had always thought only one motion could be pending at a given time. I am not trying to take the side of the majority leader or oppose him or take any side other than I would want a clarification of this. There was a motion before the Senate. It had not been acted upon. The majority leader made a second motion. Does he or does he not have to withdraw the previous motion before making the second motion?
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

What happens to the motion to waive? Is it just temporarily suspended until action on the pending motion is disposed of?
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. the last clause would be with regard to the control and division of time inasmuch as the--
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

The reason I asked. there was some question as tc the division and control of the time and I was explaining for the Rxcor that that statement takes care of that.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. I will not object. Mr. BIDEN will manage the bill on this side. He has been notified that the bill is coming up. He has conveyed word that the Senate can proceed with the measure and he will be here shortly.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. the consent being given. or will be given certainly to proceeding with the measure. I am sure there is no objection.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. may I say to my friend from Ohio that it has been cleared on this side for the convenience of Senators also.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I send to the desk on behalf of myself and Mr. RANDOLPH an amendment and ask it be stated by the clerk.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

My colleague will be on the floor shortly and he will want to speak on this subject. Mr. President. I am offering this amendment on behalf of Senator RANDOLPH and myself to improve and facilitate the administration of justice in the Federal judiciary in my home State of West Virginia. In recent years. the judiciary has been increasingly burdened in West Virginia by several problems which need to be corrected. There is a growing disparity of caseloads between the northern and southern districts. The State still has a "swing" judgeship. in which position Judge Haden must serve though he also serves most ably as the chief judge of the southern district. In addition. there are several counties in each of the districts that would be better included. because of the regions geography. in the States other district. In brief. the amendment which I am introducing on behalf of my senior col. league Senator RANDOLPH and myself.P would transfer Wood and Wirt Counties to the southern district. with Braxton. Webster. and Pocahontas Counties being shifted to the northern district. The "swing judges designation would be eliminated. with Chief Judge Haden being permanently located in the south. Judge Kidd would be transferred from the southern to the northern district. and the temporary judgeship would be abolished. This change will not cost the Federal Government any additional money. The southern district will be reduced from four and onehalf to four judges. and the northern district will be increased from one and onehalf to two. I urge the passage of this amendment. and I yield to my senior colleague. Senator RANDOLPH. for his comments. I now yield to my distinguished senior colleague. Mr. RANDOLPH.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I move to lay that moion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Ur .M.rNDMENT NO. 1424
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. and I probably will not object. but I wish to explore the word "incorporating."
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

In other words. do I understand the distinguished Senator to be making a request that will merely facilitate having in one package the House bill and the Senatepassed bill so that the distinction can be made between the House and the Senate version. first. second. that we are not. by using the words "incorporating" or "incorporation." that we are not automatically adopting the Senate amendments. and. third. that if the request is granted. we would pursue the matter in the usual way of calling up the Senate amendments for action by the Senate. unless unanimous consent is given that they would be agreed to en bloc? In other words. this request is not meant to adopt the Senate amendments as of now by virtue of the request?
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I thank the distinguished Senator for answering my questions to my satisfaction. It is my understanding that the word "incorporating" or "incorporation." whichever was used in the request. does not mean that. ipso facto. by virtue of acceding to this request. the Senate amendments will be considered as having been adopted. I think the Senator has answered that that would not be the case.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I takq this time to thank all of those who were involved in law enforcement yesterday at the Washington Monument. I think everything they did. from start to finish. was in order.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman. I would like to join with the gentleman in this amendment. I think it is a good amendment. I would like to see the entire amount stricken. as I imagine thq gentleman would. but I know that is hot possible. I would say that the Legal Services Corporation in my part of Texas has gone completely beyond the scope of what was intended in its charter. I might add that the President did not ask for any money for Legal Services. I think it is a good amendment and I hope it passes.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I would just like to ask the gentleman a question and make this observation: the Legal Services Corporation charter stated that it would be for the help of poor people. I applaud that idea. However. is it not a fact that in the gentlemans area. as it has been in my area. Legal Services has taken it upon itself to file class action suits against hospital districts. against cities. and against all areas of government? I say to the gentleman that that is not seeking to help the poor. that is seeking to establish some sort of social legislation.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I agree with the gentleman from Wisconsin about the prohibition against class action suits. but in some areas of the country the Legal Services people are not paying any attention to what we do in this body. and I might say this as a vivid example: there has been a class action suit filed against the county officials in one of the counties in my district since that prohibition was passed in the last Congress. They have absolutely shpf- e" rn the city of Center. Tex.
Date: 1982-12-09
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. if the gentleman will yield further. they have also absolutely more or less shut down the city of Troup. Tex. in a class action suit. The purpose of my statement here today is to point out that these people are continuing to do what they have been prohibited from doing by this body. Now. I think as long as they do that. as long as they continue to go full speed ahead. they should be tapped on some of the resources that they are spending.