macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-09-28
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of a fallen soldier. a man who made thd ultimate sacrifice so that we might live free. Eric Ulysses Ramirez was killed in action on February 12 of this year. He only had 42 days remaining on his tour of duty when he was killed by a rocketpropelled grenade launched by Iraqi insurgents. Eric gave his life fighting in the sands of Iraq to secure our liberty while granting a new start to an oppressed people. As his friends and family know. Eric was a man of courage who was willing to fight to preserve a safe future for his children and for his countrymen. In his lifetime. he was a model citizen. husband. father and son. as well as a sheriffs deputy and National Guardsman. He graduated from the Mount Dora High School which is very near Mascotte. and he planned on attending the University of Central Florida. but instead. he enlisted in the Navy for 4 years. Upon his return. his commitment to public service was evident when he took a job as a sheriffs deputy in San Diego. Specialist Ramirez answered the call to duty yet again when his unit was activated to fight in Operation Iraqi Freedom in February 2003. Tragically. this would be his last mission. Since the awful day that took the life of this American hero. I have come to know the family that he left behind. His wife. his children and his parents. Reverend and Mrs. Felix Ramirez. who live in Mascotte. I attended the funeral of this brave young man. and although I did not know him personally. when I attended the funeral. I felt as if I did know him. I was very obviously struck with emotion wh6n I met his parents and learned that his father. Felix Ramirez. was the minister who was conducting the service for his own son. As he conducted the service. I was awestruck with his courage and with his belief in our American troops and in what his son did to help make Iraq a free country. Mr. Speaker. I ask the Members of this body to join me in honoring specialist Eric Ramirezs life and his service by naming the United States Post Office at 411 Midway Avenue in Mascotte. Florida. as the specialist Eric Ramirez Post Office. The beautiful town of Mascotte is where Eric grew up and where his family now calls home. I believe it is the very least that we can do to honor Eric and to repay his family for the son. husband and father that they lost when he fought to defend our freedom. Lastly. I want to also thank my Flor-" ida colleagues for their willingness to support this measure. Passage of this bill is a tremendous bipartisan effort and shows the true compassion of the Florida delegation. Mr. Speaker. I urge passage of this resolution.
Date: 2004-09-29
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3193. and I respect the gentleman from Indianas perspective on this issue. I think there is room in the House for -disagreement. But my opposition is based on the legislations blatant and potentially dangerous assault on home rule in the District of Columbia. There is an appropriate place for debate on D.C.s gun laws. and that place is the chambers of the District of Columbia Council. not the floor of the House of Representatives. This bill repeals protections from gun violence that have been sought by the citizens of the District. It would end the citys ban on semiautomatic assault weapons. its ban on armorpiercing or "cop killing" ammunition. its requirement for gun registration. Even if we want to debate the merits of the gun laws. no one should question the importance of keeping fully loaded assault weapons off the streets of the Nations capital. Ninetyseven percent of all guns used in crimes in the District originate outside the District. Children in the Nations capital are already at risk. This year. 21 young people in the District. all of them under 18 years of age. have been killed. most of them by gunshot. Our priority should be in reducing this disturbing rise in juvenile slayings. and I do not think this legislation helps. The crime rate. by the way. in the city is going down. The police chief was quoted just last week as saying a 13 percent drop in overall crime this year. 24 percent reduction in homicides this year. Proponents of this bill want to frame this debate in terms of the constitutionality of the Districts law. but that is a straw man. Earlier this year. a U.S. District Court rejected constitutional challenge to the Districts statute. This is a home rule fight. We do not allow the city a vote on the House floor. and now. we are taking away the rights of the Council and the elected mayor of the city to make decisions that they have made and will omit Oak Park. Chicago. Evanston. Illinois. We are not touching those areas that have representation in this body. We are just dealing with the Nations capital. For our system of federalism and democracy to work. States and localities need to be able to make their own decisions on these sorts of matters. even if some of us think they are bad decisions. We are only here today because of Congresss plenary power over the District. This is a constitutional authority that is unfortunately occasionally abused as it is in this case. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting "no."
Date: 2004-09-29
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. the second amendment to the Constitution clearly prohibits the Federal Government from denying lawabiding citizens. let me underline that. lawabiding citizens the right to own and bear arms. Yet the residents in our Nations capital are deprived of this right. Fulltime and parttime residents like Members of Congress are actually denied the right to defend themselves. This is the very city that is the home to Americas experiment in democracy. It deprives its citizens of one of our most basic and sacred rights. D.C. is a prime example of the failure of radical guncontrol policies. The city has one of the most restrictive guncontrol policies in the country. and yet D.C. is infamous for its exorbitant amount of violent crime. The city has guncontrol but not very much crime control. Since 1976. the residents of our Nations capital have been deprived of the right to bear arms. the right to protect their homes and the right not to be victimized. For 28 years. D.C. families have been held hostage. D.C. communities and homes are no longer safe. Unfortunately. they have become targets for theft and violent crimes. Regrettably. individuals on my D.C. staff who live here have suffered the effects of poor crime control. In addition to my staff. I have personally experienced situations where I have felt threatened in and around my D.C. residence. I believe that I should be able to defend myself against assault. theft and other violent crimes in D.C.. the same as I am able to do in the State of Florida because I have a carry permit. And I alsohave had training. I believe that the answer is tougher laws against criminal activities. H.R. 3193 ends the tyrannical reign of D.C.s repressive guncontrol laws and returns to lawabiding citizens the right to protect themselves. I urge my colleagues to also support this bill.
Date: 2004-09-30
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I want everyone to keep in mind in the midst of this debate that a primary benefit of marriage is that it provides children with a mother and father from whom they can learn and be protected. What we are talking about today is whether or not we as a Nation will work to reaffirm an institution that provides profound benefits for children. It is correct that there are millions of men and women in this country who bravely raise children as single parents. and I applaud them for that. But there is an ideal for our children. Social science and everyday experiences teach us that children raised without the presence of both a mother and a father experience more poverty. more substance abuse. a higher rate of educational failure. and much more. Given the importance of marriage in the presence of a mother and father for our childrens general welfare. this institution must remain strong. As a wife and a mother of two sons. I know the importance of children having both a mother and father. When our boys were growing up. my presence was important and irreplaceable. Studies have shown that young men raised by both a mother and father have more positive attitudes toward women. children. and family life. This is exceedingly important. as our society benefits when boys grow up to be men who take raising children seriously. My husband also played an equally important role in the lives of our boys. the role of father. a role that I could never play. It is true the future of marriage as a strong institution goes far beyond whether or not the Constitution is amended to reaffirm the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. This does not mean that the Marriage Protqction Amendment is unimportant. As a society. we will have no hope of strengthening the bonds of marriage without a unified. national definition of marriage that promotes the ideal for our children. that of being raised by both a mother and a father. As an original cosponsor of this amendment for the last 3 years. I stand in strong support of the Marriage Protection Amendment. and I urge its passage.
Date: 2004-09-30
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of the marriage protection amendment. It is sad even having this debate. Amending the Constitution. we all agree. should only be considered in the rarest of circumstances. However. we are being forced to. What makes America strong is the American family. What makes American families strong is marriage. This bill reinforces what marriage has meant since our countrys founding. Simply stated. marriage consists of one man and one woman. The primary responsibility of marriage in the family is parenting. Children need a father. They need a mother for healthy and proper development. Men and women were created to complement each other. and that is most obvious in successful parenting. Congress cannot allow unelected judges to redefine marriage and the American family. and that Is why we are here today. We have got to put the decision about marriage back into the hands of the American people. The people of Texas have spoken loud and clear. Texas passed a law which recognizes marriage between a man and a woman. regardless of what the other States might do. Citizens of the Lone Star State do not want people from other States telling them how to live. and they definitely do not want some judge telling them what marriage is. Back home. we have a popular slogan. "Dont mess with Texas." Well. I have got one for this debate. "Dont mess with marriage."
Date: 2004-10-04
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Madam Speaker. I move to suspend the tules and agree to the concurrent resolution urging the Government of Ukraine to ensure a democratic. transparent. and fair election process for the presidential election on October 31. 2004. as amended.
Date: 2004-10-04
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Madam Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 6 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the concurrent resolution under consideration.
Date: 2004-10-04
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I yield as much time as he may consume to my colleague the gentleman from New Jersey .
Date: 2004-10-04
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I have no further requests for time. and.I yield back the balance of my time. The. SPEAKER pro tempore . The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Virginia that the House suspend the rules and agree to the- concvrrent resolution. H. Con. Res. 415. as amended.. The questioh was taken. and (twothirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution. as amended. was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Date: 2004-10-04
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to provide for the promotion of democracy. human rights. and rule of law in the Republic of Belarus and for the consolidation and strengthening of Belarus sovereignty and independence. as amended.
Date: 2004-10-04
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 their remarks and" include extraneous material on H.R. 854.
Date: 2004-10-04
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 H.R. 854 and would like to commend the gentleman from New Jersey for his tireless efforts in support of democracy worldwide. and in this case in Belarus. Belarus is perhaps the last country in. Europe to embrace democracy. In just 2 weeks that nation will hold important eledtions for parliament in what will be a litmus test for President Lukashenkos commitment to democracy and the direction he intends to take Belarus in the future. I regret that the political situation there at the momentdoes not look very promising. In June. the House overwhelmingly passed H. Res. 624. introduced by our former colleague Doug Bereuter. which emphasizes that if Belarus is ever to become more integrated into the Western community of nations. it must work towards the establishment of a genuinely democratic political system in which the freedom of association and assembly are guaranteed. whee political candidates from the opposition will be free from political harassment and intimidation as they campaign for office. and in which the media are free to act independently. free from government control or intimidation. where there exists a system in which elections and the electoral process are open. transparent and fair. For all of these reasons. it was important that the Congress emphaticall express our strong support for free. fair and transparent elections and more definitive progress towards establishing a functioning democracy in Belarus: The bill we have before us today provides a mechanism by which we can influence that progress. H.R. 854 would authorize assistance for democracy promotion. for building strong democratic institutions. radio broadcasting. and the development of an independent media. But we know how the current government feels about these matters. and we anticipate a lack of cooperation. So the bill also provides a series of sanctions which could be implemented if certain conditions in Belarus are not adequately addressed or resolved. I would also note that in Europe. the situation in Belarus is of equal concern. The OSCE. the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe have all expressed deep concerns over Belarus and its elections. H.R. 854 rather precisely explains the concerns and recommendations of the United States Congress. and I urge adoption of this important bill. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2004-10-04
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I would like to commend my colleague. the gentleman from New Jersey . the sponsor of thisbill. who works tirelessly to promote democracy over in Europe. and I am sorry he is not here to speak on this bill:.
Date: 2004-10-04
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 774) commending the people and Goveminent of Greece for the successfUl completion of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.
Date: 2004-10-04
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 their remarks and include extrane. material on H. Res. 774. the resolut under consideration.
Date: 2004-10-04
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

] Speaker. I yield myself such time e might consume. I rise in strong support of H. Res. commending the people and gove ment of Greece for the successful c( pletion of the 2004 Summer Olym Games. and I want to commend colleagues. the gentleman from Mae chusetts . the gentlen from Florida . and gentlewoman from New York (1N MALONEY) for introducing this legi. tion. For 17 glorious days this sumr with the spectacular setting of the cient Parthenon and Acropolis as ba ground. the Nation. of Greece hos the world to what has been referred by some as one of the greatest gamei all times. As we followed the progress of preparations. we realized it surely i not easy to accomplish. The costs w high. and the tensions associated w providing security for 10.000 athle and hundreds of thousands of visit and spectators placed great pressure the government of Greece. But in end. the worldclass venues and inI structure provided. the breathtak opening and closing ceremonies and course. the competition itself affon the world an unparalleled look at energy. diligence. hospitality imagination of the people of Greece. All of Greece has a right to be pr( of what was accomplished this sumer This resolution reaffirms that recog tion. I urge adoption of this resolution. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance my time.
Date: 2004-10-06
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.-The item relat- from inpatient status and shall receive outSpeaker. Imove to suspend the rules ing to section 21502 in the table of sections patient mental health services or mental and pass the bill to amend for subchapter I of chapter 5 of title 21. Dis- health supports as an emergency nonvoltrict of Columbia Official Cooie. is amended untary patient consistent with this subtitle 21. District of Columbia Official to read as follows: chapter. pending the conclusion of judicial Code. to enact. the provisions of the proceedings under subchapter IV of this. Mental Health Civil Commitment Act oiion appintment com- chapter.". of 2002 which affect the Commission on appointment and SEC. 5. REPRESENTATION BY COUNSEL OF PERterms of members. organiza- SONS ALLEGED TO BE MENTALLY Mental Health and require action by tion. chairperson. salaries.". ILL. Congress in order to take effect. as (c) EFFECTIVE DATE. TRANSITION FOR CUR- Section 21543. District of Columbia Offiamended. RENT MEMBERS.-The amendments made by cial Code. is amended-
Date: 2004-10-06
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I have no other speakers. urge adoption of the bill. and yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2004-10-06
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill to provide for reform relating to Federal employment. and for other purposes. as amended.
Date: 2004-10-06
Speaker: TOM 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 their remarks and include extraneous material on the Senate bill under consideration.
Date: 2004-10-06
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. . I again want to thank my ranking member. the gentleman from California . and the gen-. tleman from Illinois for their work. It has been a good bipartisan operation. I thank. of course. the sponsors from the other body as well. I urge my colleagues to support this.
Date: 2004-10-06
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of S. 129. the Federal Workforce Flexibility Act of 2004. As the original sponsor of the House version of this legislation. H.R. 1601. I am proud to see S. 129 considered on the House floor today. This bill is an important tool as the Federal Government works to become a model employer. As the formerChair of the Civil Service Subcommittee. I held hearings to explore what steps we can take to attract. motivate. and retain the best qualified workers to the Federal Government. S. 129 addresses the very real pay. benefit. and personal issues we investigated -that keep potential employees from joining the civil service and sometimes drive our best employees and managers away. The Federal Workforce Flexibility Act would do many things to improve the effectiveness of the Federal Government. including expanding agencies abilities to offer recruitment. retention. and relocation bonuses. allowing agencies to offer enhanced annual leave benefits to midcareer hires. emphasizing training. streamlining critical pay authority. and making it easier for agencies to establish demonstration projects. Mr. Speaker. S. 129 will go a long way in strengthening the Federal workforce. and I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
Date: 2004-10-06
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express my support both for the rule and for the basic bill. H.R. 5212. Since the early weeks of August. Florida has been ravaged by an unprecedented four hurricanes. I represent northern Polk County. and the gentleman from FlorIda represents southern Polk County. He has some cities in his district that have been hit by all four storms. whether they came in from the east coast or the west coast. Those areas were the most hard hit. My constituents were harmed. too. but nowhere near the harm that occurred. certainly in the panhandle and in the area of the gentleman from Florida
Date: 2004-10-07
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Chairman. I am happy to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan . -the former Secretary of State of the State of Michigan.
Date: 2004-10-07
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Chairman. I would just say to my friend. unfortunately. other committees shared jurisdiction on this. so when the Committee on Rules wrote it. we did not get our committee language. Mr. Chairman. I am happy to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California .. the distinguished chairman of the SubOommittee on Defense of the Committee on Appropriations.
Date: 2004-10-07
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: . Virginia

Mr. Chairman. I yield myself 30 seconds. What abrogates our responsibility is taking the substitute that is offered by the other side. Basically we are saying to the other body. we are going to take your version and adopt your version. We have a lot of good ideas that emanate from this side of the Capitol. Those ideas will then go into a conference. and we can take the best of both. The Congress does not abrogate their responsibility by allowing the Presi-. dent to submit for an upordown vote. the changes they wish to make in the intelligence community. we get to vote them up or down. But we do circumvent some of the jurisdictional battles that so often prolong these fights and make us very inefficient. I might add. this is authority that we lhad for Presidents for 50 years prior to Mr. Chairman. I reserve the balance of my time.