macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-10
Speaker: PATRICK J. MURPHY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsylvania

Mr. Speaker.. I rise today in support of House Resolution 257. supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. By increasing awareness. we look to shine a spotlight on a disease that has historically received little attention from the Federal government: pancreatic cancer. It is the fourth most deadly cancer for both men and women. but research on pancreatic cancer is decades behind other cancers. I was fortunate to have a group of my constituents from the 8th District of Pennsylvania teach me more about this devastating illness. They work with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and are fighting hard to raise awareness and improve patient services to beat this disease. They told me that this year more. than 37.000 Americans will be diagnosed and almost as many will die from the disease. It is difficult to recognize and with no early screening test. symptoms are often mistaken for other ailments. Because of this lack of early detection. 75 percent of those diagnoseddont -survive longer than a year and only 5percent survive more than 5 years. Pancreatic cancer shows no signs of slowingwith diagnoses and deaths increasing every year. Men and AfricanAmericans are particularly at risk. but with no significant improvement in survival rates in- the last 25 years. every American needs to be aware. A number of treatments are in development. Patients can undergo chemotherapy. radiation. surgery. or experimental treatments such as chemotherapy drugs or vaccines. While doctors and scientists are working hard to find a cure. they need our help to fund their important research and assist in educating the public. Mr. Speaker. with so many Americans diagnosed each year. we must act with urgency. We must increase awareness in our communities and across our country in order to intensify our focus to find a cure. Through educating the public about this quiet killer. we can increase early diagnosis and improve the prognoses and treatment of the disease. Mr. Speaker. it is time to face this disease headon and fight back.-
Date: 2007-09-17
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I am the proud sponsor of H. Res. 593. a resoluti6n congratulating the scientists whose work led to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty that has been a Critical part of the global commitment to improving the environment for ourselves and future generations. The treaty was a science driven. effort to address a speqific human action that hasreal consequences orn the ozone layer.
Date: 2007-09-17
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Michael Ellis DeBakey. M.D.
Date: 2007-09-17
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this bill. H.R. 1154.
Date: 2007-09-17
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume to just make a few closing comments. if I may. Mr. Speaker. as was indicated by Dr. BURGESS. who has worked tirelessly. I might add. to help us get the necessary signatures to bring this bill to the floor. as was indicated. Dr. DeBakey is a living legend. But he is really more than that. He is a berson who is loved by many people. The people over at Baylor College of Medicine. the staff. they have worked with us to help us get this piece of legislation through the Congress. I am honored to tell you. Mr. Speaker. that Mrs. DeBakey is a real asset as well. and we dont want to overlook her. He is a gentle spirit. a person who iswarm. a person who exudes a sense of confidence that is almost infectious. He is a person who is not only a great citizen of the United States. a great humanitarian. but a person who will be remembered throughout history for all that he has done to help humankind. Mr. Speaker. I will close with a poem. the author whose name is not known to me. but it is most appropriate for Dr. DeBakey: "While some measure their lives by days and years Others by heartthrobs. passions. and tears The surest measure under Gods sun Is what for others in your lifetime have you done." Dr. DeBakey. we thank you for what you have done. and we honor you today for your great place in history that you will acquire. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2007-09-17
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 1154. a resolution to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Michael Ellis DeBakey. M.D. Dr. DeBakey has been a dedicated public servant. especially to veterans. The developments in organ transplant medicine developed by him have enabled millions of people to lead happy and productive lives. Early in life. he volunteered for military service during World War II. joining the Surgeon Generals staff and rising to the rank of Colonel and Chief of the Surgical Consultants Division. His recommendations led to advances in mobility military medicine and earned him the Legion of Merit in 1945. His work contributed to the ultimate development of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center System and the establishment of the Commission on Veterans Medical Problems of the National Research Council. Mr. Speaker. 1 served as Chief Psychiatric Nurse at the V.A. Hospital in Dallas and have 15 years of experience in handson patient care. Medical followup after active service is extremely important for our veterans. Dr. DeBakeys intelligence. dedication and other talents were directed early in his career to assist men and women serving in our. military. For decades. his innovations in cardiovascular medicine revolutionalized the field and have forever changed the way surgery is conducted. Many millions who will never know him have Dr. DeBakey to thank for pioneering surgical techniques that have saved their lives. Mr. Speaker. as a Texan. I have great pride for our own Dr. Michael DeBakey. It is fitting for the U.S. House of Representatives to honor him in this way. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Date: 2007-09-17
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of this legislation to award Dr. Michael E. DeBakey with the Congressional Gold Medal. I would also like to thank my friend and neighbor. AL GREEN. as well as my fellow Texan. Dr. BURGESS. for introducing this bill to honor and celebrate the life and achievements of Dr. Michael DeBakey. . Over the course of his long life. Dr. DeBakey has been a tremendous asset to his longtime home of Houston and has made a considerable contribution to the advancement of medicine. His accomplishments are nuimerous. both in traditional medicine and military medicine. Dr. DeBakey volunteered for enlistment in Worid War II where he helped to develop mobile army surgical hospitals. His commitment to military medicine continued with his work to establish both the Veterans Affairs Medical Center System and the establishment of the Commission on Veterans Medical Problems of the National Research Council. In recognition of his service to the U.S. Armed Forces and our countrys wounded soldiers and veterans. the VA Medical Center in Houston is formally known as the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center. September. 17. 2007 Dr. DeBakey is a medical pioneer in the area of cardiac surgery. whichis his expertise. His career is highlighted by a number of "firsts." While still a student. he. invented a roller pump. for blood transfusions. He performed the first successful coronary bypass. he was the first to successfully use a partial artificial heart. he supervised the first successful multiorgan transplant and then led the way for telemedicine with the first demonstration of openheart surgery broadcasted overseas by satellite.. Mr. Speaker. this list represents only a snapshot of Dr. DeBakeys service. He also was the first president of Baylor College of Medicine where he developed the fellowship and residency programs at his namesake Department of Surgery. Today. Baylor is one of the jewels of the Texas Medical Center. in large part due to Dr. DeBakeys leadership. and has been the site of countless medical miracles for patients from Texas and around the world. A true testament to Dr. DeBakeys impact is the admiration he has earned from the Houston community. more than 60.000 members of which count Dr. DeBakey as.their physician. Internationally. Dr. DeBakey has been recognized and honored by well over .a dozen governments and even inducted into the Academy of Athens. a society founded by Plato. His many awards include the U.S. Army Legion of Merit and the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President Johnson and the National Medal of Science awarded by President Reagan. I can think of no physician better suited for the Congressional Gold Medal. and I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill to bestow that honor upon Dr. DeBakey.
Date: 2007-09-17
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Financial Services be authorized to file a supplemental report on the bill. H.R. 1852.
Date: 2007-09-17
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. on rollcall Nos. 867 and 868. due to unavoidable delays in travel. I missed the votes on H.R. 3246 and H.R. 1657. Had I been present. I would have voted "yea" on both.
Date: 2007-09-17
Speaker: TUBBS JONES (democrat)
Chamber: H

not this Congress. history is going to write that this President will go down in history as being a President that highly used and misused our military. That is one of the greatest shames coming out of this Iraq situation. And now. here we are in Iraq. I dont think the American people know that over onehalf of our entire combat capacity is involved in Iraq. If Im China. if Im Russia. if Im Iran. which they are. theyre sitting back fat and happy. anxious to see us continue to run our military in the ground in .this fruitless effort in Iraq. Soldiers. many of them on their.third and fourth tours of duty. Fifteen months theyve extended it to. not even giving an equal amount of time for rest because they know that the military is at the breaking point. No way we can continue this war. It will run our military into the ground. And now let me just say one word about the Presidents move here. What this is is the President is saying to us. Im not going to end this. Its not going to be on my watch. Even out of his own mouth he says we will hand this enduring relationship in Iraq over. as he says it. to my successor. Thats what he said. to his successor. So the American people have nixed that. The President is out of the picture. but we here in Congress are in the picture. Its up to us to not move too late. We must correct the direction were headed. and the first order of business is to end this war in Iraq.
Date: 2007-09-17
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today on" behalf of the people of America who want a new way forward in Iraqand expect Congress to act accordingly. My constituents in North Texas continue to grieve the loss of their sons and daughters in Iraq and voice their utmost concerns for our troops safety. They deserve answers from me and from our government regarding the consequence of the monetary and casualty cost of the Iraq war. Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom have affected the lives of countless Americans. There are over 3.000 troops from the great state of Texas that have been wounded during duty and many thousands more from across the United States. Despite the struggles our soldiers face both on the field and the home front. they are *thankful for the support they have been receiving from their fellow Americans. They share their concerns none of which are for themselves. but of their fellow comrades and families. If given a chance. they are willing to return to the field and fight for this nation. I stand here today. humbled by these men and women. The current administration has recently submitted data reflecting that violence in Iraq has decreased. but this data has been skewed. The data does not reflect the truth. Violence in Iraq has increased. It is our responsibility to care for the best interest of our soldiers. It is our responsibility to protect our troops from unnecessary harm. Our men and women in uniform are owed a debt of gratitude for their courageous efforts. A failure to bring about democracy in Iraq rests solely on the shoulders of the President and his Administration. Mr. Speaker. a great American military cannot be a substitute for a weak Iracqi government. Americans want a new direction in Iraq. The best way to support our troops serving in Iraq is to bring them home.
Date: 2007-09-18
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I want to thank you and the chairman of the full committee for this brilliant and well thoughtout legislation. I absolutely support it. I am convinced that this bill. had it been in place. would have helped many borrowers to avoid the subprime market and many of those who also went into the predatory lending areas. because it would provide reasonable rates without prepayment penalties. But this bill also has the Affordable Housing Fund. and I support it wholeheartedly. There is no question that there is a need to build. preserve. and renovate. rehabilitate affordable housing in this country. This bill gives us the means by which it can be done. I also would like to point out that the bill has an amendment that we introduced to deal with the mortgage brokers. D 1215 This bill requires mortgage brokers and correspondent lenders to. safeguard and account for a borrowers money. It is actually codified into law. It would require them to follow reasonable and lawful instructions of the borrower and to act with reasonable skill. care. and diligence in handling the money of borrowers and the business of borrowers. It allows the Secretary of HUD to deny a violator the privilege of originating loans. Its a good amendment. I beg that my colleagues would support it. Finally*. I want to talk about the alternative credit amendment that was added that we introduced. which is a pilot program to establish an automated process using alternative credit such as rent. utilities. phone bills. . Many persons are credit worthy. but they dont have the traditional credit necessary to purchase a home. This bill will establish an alternative system so that they too may enter the marketplace and purchase a home. After 4 years. the GAO is to give Congress a report on the bill. I support all of what is in this bill. and I beg that my colleagues do so as well. Again. I commend the Chair and the ranking members for what they have done as well.
Date: 2007-09-19
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of this conference agreement to reauthorize important user fee programs at the Foodand Drug Administration and enact critical drug safety reforms at the agency. This legislation is the result of intense negotiations between the House and Senate. whose negotiators have worked tirelessly to reach consensus on this legislation. They did so with a looming deadline of September 31. after which the user fee program would expire and many hardworking FDA scientists would likely lose their jobs. To reach a compromise. all parties to the negotiation had to give and take. but I am pleased that the product before us represents something we can all support. I would like to congratulate. the negotiators on their success. The FDA Amendments Act.of 2007 makes important changes at the FDA to place a greater emphasis on postmarket surveillance within the agency. The Risk. Evaluation. and Mitigation Strategy established by this bill would give the agency the authority to monitor drugs throughout their lifecycle for adverse events or other signs of safety concerns. A critical aspect of this strategy is the additional authority this bill gives the Secretary of HHS to mandate that drug manufacturers conduct postmarket studies. Under this bill. the additional postmarket activities extend to the user fee programs that help fund the drug approval process. Specifically. this bill directs drug manufacturers utilizing the FDAs drug approval process to dedicate an additional $225 million over 5 years for postmarket surveillance activities at the FDA. This additional funding represents an important investment by the pharmaceutical industry in the FDAs postmarket safety activities. while also ensuring that premarket user fees are adequate to bring potentially lifesaving medicines to market in a reasonable time. There is no question that the labeling and liability language prompted a great deal of debate during conference negotiations. but one thing is clear: the Congress in no way intends to limit the ability of a patient injured by a drug to seek redress from our Nations justice system. FDA should have the ability to require labeling changes. but that additional authority does not absolve the drug manufacturer of any duty to initiate labeling changes on their own when new data bears out the need for a change. The implementation of stronger drug safety authorities does not mean that drug companies get a free pass when their products harm consumers. I am pleased that the conference agreement makes this point perfectly clear. This legislation also reauthorizes the Medical Device User Fee Act. as well as the Best Pharmaceuticals For Children Act and the Pediatric Research Equity Act. which help ensure that pharmaceuticals are tested for their effect on children. After all. we know that children are not simply. smaller adults. and part ofprotecting Americas children is knowing how best to treat them when they face health concerns. I would like to thank our Chairman. Mr. DINGELL. and our Health Subcommittee Chairman.
Date: 2007-09-20
Speaker: EDDIE .BERNICE (democrat)
Chamber: H

JOHNSON of Texas: I thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding. The Federal Transit Administration recently approved a $700 million Full Funding Grant Agreement for the construction of a new Dallas area rapid transit rail line that will provide access to the vicinity of Dallas Love Field Airport. not direct access to the main terminal. So to remedy this connection lapse. the city of Dallas and the Council of Governments have committed some funding. but the city has a strong desire to use PFCs to cover the remainder of the cost. I respectfully ask the distinguished chairman to work with me to ensure that Dallas Love Field Airport receives priority consideration for the program outlined in section 114 of the bill.
Date: 2007-09-20
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Chairman. I want to thank Chairmen OBERSTAR and COSTELLO and Ranking Members MICA and PETRI for their hard work in bringing this bill to the floor. This bill could not come at a better time for the traveling public. Airlines ontime performance is at its lowest rate since the Department of Transportation began keeping records in 1995. And this is happening at the same time that the Department of Transportation is predicting a tripling of passenger and cargo by 2025. This is why we need this bill passed so we can provide funds for increased capacity. safety enhancements. and overall system improvements. This bill addresses an important issue in my district by preserving the Military Airport Program. MAP. as a petaside within the Airport Improvement Program. The MAP program provides critical support to those communities which have been given the responsibility of converting closed military bases to civilian use. The participation of the Cecil Field Airport. which is just outside of Jacksonville. is a prime example of how this program can successfully translate former military airfields to commercial service that. in turn. have strengthened the Nations aviation system and. in the case of Cecil. Field. also continues to include uses by the Air National Guard and Reserve units. making this a winwin for the community and for the military. MAP grants also support projects that are generally not eligible for AIP funds. but which are typically needed for successful civilian conversion such as surface parking lots. fuel farms. hangars. utility systems. access roads. and cargo buildings. Again. I want to thank the chairman for guiding this bill to the flo or. and I would encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.
Date: 2007-09-24
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to identify the low representation of minorities and women in the financial services industry. The Financial Services Diversity Initiative calls upon the public and private sector to provide more opportunities for minorities and women to succeed in the financial services industry. The financial service industry has an extraordinary impact on the country. including my home district of Dallas. TX. While many industries have successfully created a diverse workplace. the financial service industry has fallen short. creating an unacceptable disparity for minorities and women. As a society. it is our responsibility to promote the diversity in the workplace and ensure confidence in any individuals ability to succeed at all levels. In order to raise awareness and combat these disparities. we must furnish all.children a first class education. Education is the vital threshold in expanding opportunities to qualified candidates. regardless of their race or sex. The Financial Services Diversity Initiative enforce fairness and accountability to all educational and employment sectors. Mr. Speaker. as a person of color and a woman. I know first hand the importance of equality and diversity. I strongly support the Financial Services Diversity Initiatives which offers to eliminate the inequality among minorities and women in the financial services industry.
Date: 2007-09-24
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. it is with great pleasure that I rise today to recognize the goals and ideals of Federal Credit Union Month. Credit unions across the United States haye been a vital component to economic growth and empowerment. This month is intended to bring awareness to credit unions impact on the economy and the tremendous service they provide to their members. Our federal credit unions play an important role in the lives of many Americans. my district in Dallas. TX. included. Credit unions offer the chance for its member$ to participate in their financial lives as owners. rather than just account holders. Credit unions help communities and families achieve their part of the American Dream by offering financial services and banking opportunities that many members would otherwise be denied with a privately owned institution. These opportunities enhance stability and affordability in ownership and security for credit union members. Mr. Speaker. federal credit unions remain an important financial institution for many of our Nations hard working people. It is important that we as a body continue to articulate support for our Nations federal credit unions. As a loyal member of a federal credit union I strongly support the goals and ideas this month promotes.