macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2001-06-14
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. since its birth on June 14. 1775. the United States Army has played a vital role in the growth and development of the American Nation. It won the new Republics independence in an arduous 8year struggle against Great Britain. The Army has repeatedly defended America against both internal and external threats. from the War of 1812 through the tremendous battles that finally rid the world of Nazi totalitarianism. Japanese imperialism. and communism. From the beginning. the U.S. Army has also been involved with internal improvements: natural disaster relief. economic assistance. domestic order. and a host of other contingencies. Our Army has a proud tradition and continues to draw great satisfaction from knowing that when the Nation was in need. it answered the call. Mr. Speaker. I am honored to stand here today and wish the men and women of the U.S. Army a very happy birthday.
Date: 2001-06-14
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. it is time to end this excessive fee on savings and investment. It is a fee that is a tax. It was wrong for Congress to impose a fee. otherwise known as a tax. on tens of millions.of Americans. The current tax was levied to fund the Securities and Exchange Commission. but guess what. it soon became a cash cow and Congress now uses it to fund other government programs. and that is just not right. One of my constituents. Al Anderson. of Coastal Securities is an example of someone who is adversely affected by this socalled fee. When I visited his company. he told me he had to pay an additional $4 million in taxes over the last 3 years just because of this fee. Now. that is not a small sum of money. and when he factored it into his business plan. it meant one thing. slower growth. There was a job impact. The government should not be in the business of slowing business down. The biisiness that government ought to be in is to encourage businesses to grow. While this bill helps companies like Coastal Securities. it will also make it easier for people to save for retirement through either individual stock investments. mutual funds. 401(k)s. or pension plans. So this bill. which relieves the tax that has gotten far too big and it is used far too wide. With all the talk about the need to prepare for retirement. the least this Congress can do isremove this barrier to savings. We need to cut taxes again for the people. Support -America. Support this bill.
Date: 2001-06-19
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Madam Speaker. I rise today to note the recent decision of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upholding the district court opinion that Virginia cannot limit outofState waste coming into its borders because such restrictions violate the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. This court decision makes the necessity of Congress passing interstate waste legislation all the more urgent and compelling. With the determination of the courts that State regulation of the interstate hauling of garbage violates the Commerce Clause. it is now time for Congress to specifically empower States to curb the amount of trash coming into landfills from outside the State. The natural beauty of Virginia should not be degraded by outofState trash so that outofState haulers and trucking companies can reap benefits. Virginians have spoken on this issue and legislation was consequently passed and signed by the Governor that restricted the entrance of interstate waste into the Commonwealth. but then was struck down by the Federal courts. Congress needs to act now to return this issue back to the States where the voices of the people can be heard.
Date: 2001-06-26
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. sick and tired of hearing Democrats complain about the energy crisis. The last time I checked. the Democrat Governor. Gray Davis was and is in charge of California. The last time I checked. Democrats also controlled the White House for 8 long years and did nothing. Bill Clinton and Al Gore had plenty of time to examine and solve the energy crisis in California while they were out there visiting Buddhist temples. but they did not. Instead. Democrats like DASCHLE and GEPHARDT just play the blame game. Democrats are blaming George Bush and DICK CHENEY for the California energy problem. They must have forgotten this administration just took office. If the Democrats had been wise. they would have been drilling for oil. building new energy plants and building new transmission lines. That is what it takes to solve the problem is finding resources. In short. it is the Democrats who put California into this mess. Americans do not want. need or deserve the California energy problems.
Date: 2001-06-27
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I remember energy going up that Texas provided for California because the Environmental Protection Agency charges them fines to run their plants. Ridiculous. But today. Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of hardworking American taxpayers who will receive a $600 check in the mail this summer courtesy of George W. Bush. That is right. Americans do not want. do not need. and do not deserve higher taxes. That is why President Bush fought hard to make sure to give them back some of their money. If an individual paid taxes last year. they will receive a $300 check. if they are single. $500 if they are a single parent. or a $600 check if they are a married couple filing together. All this because President Bush knows that Americans can spend their own money better than we can here. What can a person buy with $600? Well. this is the buyanewwasher. anewdryer. or buyanewfridge bill. What about that? The beauty of this summer refund is that George W. Bush knows that Americans can spend their money better than the Federal Government. So let us give it back to them.
Date: 2001-06-27
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. it is a widely known fact that America is a Nation in need of energy solutions. We have all heard the statistics. Over the next 20 years. U.S. oil consumption is expected to increase by over 30 percent. natural gas consumption by more than 50 percent. and electricity usage will grow by an estimated 45 percent. Yet these facts are not new. This problem did not drop out of the sky one day. These statistics have been known for years. yet the Clinton administration failed to plan for the future. Now America faces a great energy challenge that can only be met through increased. production and conservation. Californias policy of strict conservation without production has not worked. Despite growing energy consumption. not one major power plant was added in the 1990s. Unfortunately. the people of California are suffering because of it. Mr. Speaker. President Bush has put forth plans emphasizing conservation while meeting production needs. We cannot look away like past administrations have. hoping that the problem will just go away. because it will not.
Date: 2001-06-27
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 172) honoring John J. Downing. Brian Fahey. and Harry Ford. who lost their lives in the course of duty as firefighters.
Date: 2001-06-27
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all- Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend theirremarks on H. Res. 172.
Date: 2001-06-27
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of House Resolution 172. and I commend its sponsor.- the distinguished gentleman from New York for introducing it. This resolution honors three fighters. John J. Downing. Brian Fahey. and Harry Ford. who lost their lives fighting a fire in Queens. New York. earlier this month. The resolution also expresses the deepest sympathies of this House for their families. Finally. Mr. Speaker. it pledges that the House will continue to support and work for all American firefighters who risk their lives every day to keep us all safe. On June 17. Mr. Speaker. these three men were among the 350 firefighters and numerous police officers who responded to a fire and explosion at the Long Island General Supply Company. As the resolution notes. this disaster reduced a 128yearold twostory building to a heap of broken bricks. twisted metal. and shattered glass. Two civilians and dozens of firefighters were injured by the blaze. including two firefighters who were severely injured. The three firefighters who died were veteran firefighters. Mr. Downing had June 27.-2001 served for 11 years. Mr. Fahey for 14 years. Mr. Ford for 27. They left behind grieving families. Mr. Downing was a husband and father of two. Mr. Fahey is survived by his wife and three children. Mr. Ford was a husband and father of three. Nothing this House can say or do. Mr. Speaker. will lessen the losses these families have experienced. At best. we can hope that they will be somewhat comforted by our recognition and appreciation for their loved ones bravery. As the House considers this resolution. I also ask my colleagues to remember the dangers and risks that firefighters voluntarily assume every day across the country. By honoring these firefighters. we will also honor the sacrifices of all those firefighters who lay their lives on the line day in and day out to protect their neighbors. On a personal note. Mr. Speaker. I will add that I am the wife of a retired city fire chief. I am personally acquainted with the dangers and challenges that firefighters encounter and extend my sympathies to these families that have lost their fathers and husbands. Those of us whose family members have served as firefighters without suffering serious injuries can count our blessings and can empathize with the loss they must feel. I encourage all Members to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2001-06-27
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman from New York for introducing this resolution. I also thank the gentleman from Indiana . the chairman of the Committee on Government Reform. the gentleman from Florida . the chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Organization. as well as the ranking members of the full committee and subcommittee. the gentleman from California and the gentleman from Illinois . for expediting consideration for this resolution. I urge all Members to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York .
Date: 2001-06-27
Speaker: GARY G. MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Chairman. I would like to inquire about a provision in the Committee Report. In title III. describing the Committees funding priorities for the Department of Energys Energy. Biomass. Biofuels and Energy Systems program. the report states "$1 million to support a costshared agricultural waste methane power generation facility in California." With regard to this California project. I ask the gentleman from Alabama is it the same effort proposed by the Inland Empire Utilities Agency in cooperation with the dairies located in the Chino Dairy Preserve?
Date: 2001-07-11
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. do my colleagues know what? Our taxes were lowered on July 1. That means we will take home more of our own money. We can thank President Bush for that. When I was home in Texas over July 4. I met Kris and Melissa Kelly who are constituents of mine. and I asked them. what are you going to do with that tax refund? They said they are going to put a down payment on a brandnew minivan for their family. Is that not what America is all about? Instead of allowing the Federal Government to keep our hardearned money. creating new and expensive government programs. we gave the people their own money back so they can buy the things they need. So I salute President Bush for all he has done for the hardworking people of this great Nation. America really is a Nation of the people. by the people. for the people.
Date: 2001-07-11
Speaker: GARY MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Chairman. I rise today to speak in opposition to the amendment offered by my colleague from Vermont. Mr. SANDERS. In 1988. Congress passed legislation that banned the reimportation of prescription drugs because it recognized that there was a significant risk to the American people associated with counterfeit. adulterated or -subpotent medication. In fact. recognizing the importance of quality prescription drugs. C6ngress required not only that all domestic distribution centers be licensed. but also that the FDA develop a stringent set of guidelines to regulate domestic prescription drugs. These guidelines called for detailed recordkeeping. including guidelines which outlined very specific temperature and humidity control parameters. The Sanders Amendment clearly contradicts the reasoning behind these efforts and would instead allow unrestricted reimportation of prescription drugs. Moreover. the Sanders Amendment would delete the provision which Congress passed last year directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to demonstrate that any costsavings derived from reimported drugs be passed to the American consumer. Last December. thenHHS Secretary Donna Shalala found she could not demonstrate that the reimportation law would not jeopardize patient safety. norcould she demonstrate that savings would be passed on to consumers. Moreover. Mr. SANDERS amendment would likely lead to an increase in the flow of counterfeit drugs into the U.S.. which is already a growing problem the Government cannot control. At a June 7. 2001 hearing. Ms. Elizabeth Durant. Executive Director of Trade Programs at the U.S. Customs Service. testified that "perhaps as much as 90 percent ofthe pharmaceuticals that enter the U.S. via the mail do so in a manner that violates FDA and/or DEA requirements. . . . To offer an example. one seizure included a 3.000tab shipment of a counterfeit drug with an expiration date of 1980. . . . We have counterfeit drugs. We have graymarket drugs. We have prohibited drugs and we have unapproved drugs. The whole gamut of illegal substances pass through our mail facility at Dulles. And this is a situation that is pretty much replicated around the country." While I am concerned about the rising cost of pharmaceuticals in the U.S.. I am more concerned that Mr. SANDERS amendment would compromise the health and safety of millions of Americans who count on the quality and purity of pharmaceuticals approved by the FDA to treat their illnesses. What we cannot afford to do is knowingly expose American consumers to drugs and pharmaceuticals that may jeopardize their health. and yet that is precisely what the Sanders amendment would do. Again. I urge my colleagues to put the welfare of Americans first and vote against the Sanders amendment.
Date: 2001-07-17
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. it is a tremendous honor for me to be here today to support the protection of our American heritage. a symbol and a reminder of our cherished freedom. the American flag. The flag is a symbol of the birth of this great Nation and the many wars fought to win our freedom. I spent 7 long years as a POW in Vietnam. half of that in solitary confinement. I think you heard the gentleman from California relate earlier the story of Mike Christian. who was beaten for making a flag. He sewed that flag to remind himself of home and the freedom that it stands for. It was a symbol and great comfort to all of us. As POWs. we would pledge allegiance and salute it each day. That tiny. tiny flag sewn together meant so much to us. far. far away from home. more than words can describe. I stand here today to honor all our military men and women who have fought throughout the years for this great Nation. How about the Marine memorial. the Iwo Jima Memorial? Does that not mean something to you? I think that flag meant something to those boys that put it up there. The Middlekauff Ford dealership in Plano. Texas built a huge flagpole and put an oversized flag on it. Do you know what? Some of the people said. It makes too much noise when the wind blows. It keeps us awake at night. Do you know what Rick Middlekauff said? He said. ladies and gentlemen. that is the sound of freedom. And he left it up there. and they quit griping about it. It is something that I think that we must respect. We must treat it with respect and protect it from desecration.
Date: 2001-07-17
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of House Joint Resolution 36 proposing a constitutional amendment that would grant Congress the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the United States flag. The American flag is a revered symbol of our country and of the principles of freedom and liberty we hold dear. I know for Americas war veterans the flag is valued as a symbol of the sacrifices they and their fellow servicemen made to defend our land. Indeed. hundreds of thousands of servicemen gave their lives defending our country. and we must never forget the price they paid for the freedoms we enjoy. As a member of the House Committee on Armed Services. it is our priority to restore our militarys readiness and strength and also ensure that our veterans are treated with the respect and gratitude that is due them. That includes standing with them to defend the honor due to our national colors. Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution.
Date: 2001-07-18
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. for 8 long years. America has ignored energy. There was no energy policy at all under a Democrat administration. So I applaud President Bush for his courage to put forth a balanced energy plan. The White House plan conserves energy. protects the environment. and increases production. It is time to end our. almost total dependence on foreign oil. As my colleagues know. almost over 50 percent of our oil comes from other countries. Not only is that a threat to our national security. but it affects our energy prices. Just look at California. Since Californias Gray Davis failed to enact a plan that encouraged production. they are facing blackouts. high prices. and an uncertain future. Support the Presidents energy plan. The time is now. It is right for America.
Date: 2001-07-19
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. this act will. actually increase charitable giving. I want to focus on the value of individuals donating funds from their IRAs to charities once they reach the age of 70 . Permitting older Americans to roll over funds from a retirement account without the government getting a piece of the action is a major help for charities. When this bill becomes law. a $100 YMCA contribution* will be a $100 contribution. not $85 because the IRS is not going to take their chunk out. Mr. Speaker. charities do remarkable things for our country. They change the lives and hearts of so many for the better. They feed the. hungry. clothe the homeless. and assist the needy. Now is the time to help charities help those most in need. Let us help the charities keep more of their welldeserved dollars. It is the right thing to do.
Date: 2001-07-19
Speaker: GARY MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H

OF California. Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 7 the "Community Solutions Act." Although a lot of speakers have focused their remarks on the charitable choice provisions of this bill. I feel that Title III. the Individual Development Account or IDAs offers a fundamental policy shift which merits the attention of this House. Many communities are facing an affordable housing crisis. Until now. our solution to this problem has been to increase the number of available Section 8 vouchers. However. this "solution" has only widened the gap between those who dream of owning a home. and those who are able to accumulate the financial resources needed to become a firsttime home buyer. Under the Section 8 voucher program. if you demonstrate ambition and work hard to improve your situation. you are no longer eligible for the voucher. But at the same time. you do not have the down payment to own a home. IDAs will begin to reverse this trend. By encouraging individuals to save for a home through tax exemption IDAs and matching that investment. we finally have policy which makes sense. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and to turn the American dream of owning a home into a reality.
Date: 2001-07-20
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. with all this talk about a patients bill of rights. the most important thing we should talk about. I think. is the working uninsured. those who have gone without. because none of these rights mean a thingif one does not have health insurance. I want to help the 43 million uninsured Americans. primarily smallbusiness owners. their families. their employees. their loved ones. help them join the ranks of the insured. The goal of a patients bill of rights should be to help these people. These are the people who need access to affordable health care. One good way to do that is to expand the Medical Savings Accounts. or MSAs. Medical Savings Accounts help people get the care they need from the doctor they choose. The GOP House bill. the Fletcher bill. is the only bill that totally opens up.Medical Savings Accounts. Vote to increase the number of insured. Vote for our bill. It is the right thing to do.
Date: 2001-07-23
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Madam Speaker. I yield myself the balance of my time. I again commend the gentleman from Washington for introducing this resolution. I also thank the gentleman from Indiana . chairman of the Committee on Government Reform. the gentleman from Florida . chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Organization. as well as the ranking members of the full committee and subcommittee. the gentleman from California and the gentleman from Illinois for expediting consideration of this resolution. It is impossible for this House to lessen the loss suffered by the families of these four firefighters. We can only hope that our action today will help. comfort those families by symbolizing our Nations gratitude for their loved ones bravery and the debt we owe to them all. I urge all Members to support this resolution.
Date: 2001-07-24
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll released last week shows that most Americans would oppose the McCainKennedy trial lawyers bill because they know it would increase health costs. When asked pointblank if they are more concerned about suing HMOs or lawsuits driving up their health insurance costs. the majority of Americans said they feared the prospect of skyrocketing costs caused by lawsuits. This is yet more proof that Americans want a Patients Bill of Rights that ensures they get the care they need from a doctor they know. Americans want. need and deserve health care reform. not a trial lawyers bill that would drive people into the ranks of the uninsured. In short. I am with the American people who favor the responsible health care reform principles of the FletcherPeterson Patients Bill of Rights. Under this bill. more Americans will be insured.