macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-18
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. I rise in support of the WaxmanTierney amendment to establish a Commission on Politicization of Science in the Regulatory Process. We need this commission because Congress and the administration have failed to do their jobs adequately. We also need this commission because scientific information has become politicized more and more recently. and this really has to change. We have all read and heard of the allegations that politics has been used as a litmus test for the appointment of scientists to the Federal science advisory panels and that interpretation of scientific information has been skewed to emphasize uncertainties and justify inaction. When 20 Nobel Laureates sign a letter stating that their belief is in the existence of a problem. we should take notice and examine the allegations. Yet Congress has failed to hold any hearings on this issue. Dr. Marburger. the Presidents chief science advisor. does little more than issue a rebuttal to the Union of Concerned Scientists repQrt. denying that any problem exists. It is true that the plural of anecdote is not data. However. at some point a series of anecdotes begins to look like a pattern. The pattern is disturbing and threatens to undermine our ability to rely on scientific and technical information as we weigh alternative policies. At a minimum. the number of cases and the .range of scientific issues they encompass create the perception that the Federal science advisory process has been undermined by politics. The perception alone is damaging. Policymakers and the public must have confidence in scientific information and scientific advice provided by experts. Policy and regulatory decisions are political. Science can inform our decisions and help us to understand the likely outcomes associated with different policy choices. However. science does not determine policy choices. This is our job. We must examine the processes we use to incorporate scientific information into our policy decisions. and we need constructive suggestions about how to ensure that political influence over the development of scientific information is minimized. It appears the current system is ripe for manipulation. and reform is needed. There are steps we can and should take to make it more difficult to politicize science. The commission can help us to identify these steps. I urge support of this amendment. It is too costly and too misleading for us to depend on hearsay and ideology to substitute for the truth in scientific findings.
Date: 2004-05-19
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. are families and college students better off than they were 4 years ago? Not when it comes to being able to afford a higher education. In the year 2000. when candidate George Bush said we should make the path to college open for all. that was his promise. Four years later that path is covered in weeds and broken promises. and President Bush and the Republicans must accept responsibility for their failed leadership in this area. Since 2001 a 4year public college tuition has increased by almost 30 percent. How has President Bush responded? Each year. he broke his promise to provide a $5.100 maximum Pell grant to all firstyear college students. In fact. the Pell grant this year is worth $500 less than it was 30 years ago. and the Presidents 2005 budget eliminates Pell grants from 95.000 deserving students who need that money to pursue a higher education. Now the Republicans are rubberstamping the Presidents legislation that would force the typical student borrower to pay $5.500 more for their student loan than they currently do. I do not think those students believe they are better off than they were 4 years ago.
Date: 2004-05-19
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

So apparently the Senate can have bipartisan representation. apparently the Senate can have democracy. but this House cannot have democracy.
Date: 2004-05-19
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Tailhook. Aberdeen. Air Force Academy rapes. rapes in the Pacific theater. rapes in the Iraqi theater. Mr. Chairman. I rise today to talk about what is not in this bill. A sensible. conservative legislative initiative that would have made it easier for the military to prosecute. sexual assault offenses in the armed services. The majority prohibited me from offering an amendment that would have made this vital change to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. It would have replaced a woefully outdated statute currently being used by the military to prosecute sexual assault with a version we use at the Federal level. title 18. used also in 37 other States. that was approved by this body 18 years ago. The current military mechanism for prosecuting sexual assault was written in the 1950s. and it really does not reflect todays reality. My bill would have emphasized the acts of the perpetrator. rather than the reaction of the victim during an assault. which is an alltoocommon complaint within the military justice system. 0l 1545 It would have expressly provided for cases involving voluntary and involuntary intoxication of the victim. which are common fact patterns in military sexual assault cases. It would have expanded the definition of sexual abuse to include a broader scope of sex acts. It would have also included a provision which specifically relates to the sexual abuse of a prisoner. unlike the current UCMJ. This provision is particularly timely given the tragic incidents which have occurred in Abu Ghraib prison. We are facing a sexual assault crisis within our armed services. Our women and our men are being raped in Iraq. The Army currently has investigations of 110 counts of sexual abuse in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some say this is combatrelated stress. Well. in March of this year. the Air Force reported that it is investigating 92 reports of rape in the Pacific. Those troops are not in combat. In a report released by the Department of Defense just this week. it was reported that across the Department of Defense there were 901 reported cases of rape in 2002 and over 1.000 in 2003. Now. I think that is a problem. and the Pentagon obviously thinks it is a problem. also. So this would be an opportunity to make some positive changes on this issue because it is our job as Members of Congress to provide oversight of the executive departments of this Nation. It is our responsibility to provide assurances to men and women in uniform that they are safe and that when crimes are committed. our laws assure that justice will be served. * I am disappointed that my amendment is not being considered today. I think it is a disservice to the military men and women of our Nation.
Date: 2004-05-19
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Chairman. I thank the gentlewoman from California for introducing this important and very necessary amendment. Members of the Armed Forces are entitled to a quality of life equal to that of the Nation they are pledged to defend. Whether you are prochoice or prolife. agree ordisagree with the merits of reproductive freedom. the fact remains. women of the United States have a constitutional right to these services. * I want to read a little excerpt from a letter I received from a general in the Army who goes on to say. "One day. a noncommissioned officer. an NCO. who was one of the battalions senior women. came into my office and asked for permission to take a day off later in the week and to have the same takeoff for a young soldier in the battalion. She said the soldier was pregnant and wanted an abortion and yet had no way to get an abortion at the U.S. Army medical facility in Germany where they were stationed: "She had got information about a German *clinic in another city. and they were going there for the procedure. The soldier did not have enough money to return to the U.S.. saved for the abortion. nor did she want to talk to her chain of command about this issue. I told the NCO to go with her and to let me know what happened.. "Later. the NCO told me that the experience had been both mortifying and painful. No painkiller of any sort was administered for the procedure. The modesty of this soldier and the other women at the clinic had been violated due to cultural differences. and neither she nor the soldier understood German." It was a problem. It was a bad experience for all that. at a very vulnerable time. this American who was serving her country overseas could not count on the Army to give her the care that she needed. What makes the situation of a soldier different from that of a civilian woman? She is subject to the orders of the officers appointed over here. Every hour of the day belongs to the U.S. Army and she must have her seniors permission to leave her place of duty. She makes very low pay and so relies on the help of friends and family to pay for travel for medical care that is not given by the Army. I urge my colleagues to vote for this amendment.
Date: 2004-05-20
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H

of Florida. Mr Chairman. what a horrifying message to send to our troops and to our adversaries right now to close bases during a time of war. It is not prudent to shut down these bases at this time. I support postponing BRAC until the defense needs of the nation are more settled than they are at present. Particularly during this time of economic crisis. we do not need to close bases. There should never have been any discussion about this in the first place. Base closures are devastating to communities. Our resources should be used to improve our current defense system. not for arbitrarily closing bases because of political decisions.
Date: 2004-05-20
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Chairman. on rolicall vote number 200. the Kennedy Amendment. I inadvertently voted "yes." when I meant to vote "no." I support delaying BRAC.
Date: 2004-05-20
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. the House Republican leadership proposal on the child tax credit is a travesty that puts politics above the wellbeing of Americas children. I strongly support making the $1.000 child tax credit permanent. That tax credit provides important relief to middle and lower income families around the country. But rather than simply ex-. tending the existing credit. the Republicans seek to expand the child tax credit to higher income families by adding tens of billions of dollars to the nations deficit. It is not the Republican leadership that will be left to pay that debt. it is our children and grandchildren. It is incredible that the same Republican leadership that refuses to fully fund the No Child Left Behind Initiative wouldunder the guise of helping familiesadd billions of dollars to the debt tax that will have to be paid by future generations. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2004-05-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor our soldiers who have died in the service of our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. As of May 19. 2004. 783 American men and women .had lost their lives as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and 123 American men and women had lost their lives as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom. I am forever indebted to these courageous men and women because the fight for freedom is not without loss. I fully support the military families of these heroes who have sacrificed their lives in the service of our country. In my State of Texas. we have lost 84 men -and women defending Americas dream of democracy and freedom for all. I am sure all Texans join me in letting their families know that we consider all of them heroes because they died answering the call of our country. It is because of them we enjay our freedom and live in the greatest country there is. Father Dennis Edward OBrien of the USMC wrote the following poem honoring our soldiers: It is the soldier. not the reporter. Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier. not the poet. Who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier. not the campus organizer. Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier Who salutes the flag. Who serves beneath the flag And whose coffin is draped by the flag. Who allows the protester to burn the flag. Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that the names of the fallen Texas soldiers be printed in the RECORD. May God grant -strength and peace to those who mourn and God bless America.
Date: 2004-06-01
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 4317.A fellow Texan. Charlie Wilson was educated at the U.S. Naval Academy and served overseas as well as at the Pentagon. After retiring from the Navy in 1960 with the rank of Lieutenant. he returned back to Lufkin and ran successfully for the Texas Legislature. serving in that capacity for twelve years. In 1972. Charlie was elected as the U.S. Representative for the 2nd Congressional District of Texas and began has distinguished 24year career in the U.S. House of Representatives. Naming the Lufkin VA Clinic in honor of Congressman Wilson would be a fitting tribute to such a devoted public servant.
Date: 2004-06-02
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. since President Bush took .office. 2.2 million Americans have lost their jobs. Americans are suffering through the longest unemployment period in 20 years and the most dismal job picture in almost 40 years. And what is the Republican leadership doing about it? Having the House vote on tired proposals for jobtraining vouchers that do not actually create jobs for the millions of Americans who .are ..out).of work. Unemployed Americans needi.jobs :and-- benefits immediately so that they can provide for
Date: 2004-06-02
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio . the original author of the World War II memorial legislation.
Date: 2004-06-02
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. thanks to the authors for. bringing forth this resolution. I rise to salute Rosie the Riveter. Women affectionately known as "Rosies" revived the image of the feminine ideal. Rosie the Riveters slogan of "we can do it" helped mobilize millions of American women who sowed the seeds for the womens rights movement. During World War II. as more and more American men were sent off to battle. over 6 million women did their part to ease the hardship for America by taking over jobs that had been previously exclusively male. Rosies filled the void in Americas workforce by working under very poor conditions for very little pay in factories doing welding. machining. building aircrafts.. fixing tanks and arma.-ment factories. Although the average Rosie the Riveters salary was $31.21 a week for her labor. as compared to $54.56 a week for the men that still remained. these women fought social discrimination. gender harassment. and physical abuse. .Rosie the Riveters image of a strong. competent woman was a symbol of patriotic womanhood. Rosies all over the country showed their strength and their power and their pride. We thank these women who paved the way for womens empowerment. Women are capable of doing anything. It is too bad that it took a war to make everyoie see it. Times would never be the same again.
Date: 2004-06-03
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his handling of this bill for the minority on the floor and his work on it in the committee. And the gentleman from Michigan
Date: 2004-06-03
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I want to say to the gentleman from Nevada that he ought to read the bill. because truth and facts are about what the language of the bill says. If you read on line 16. page 15. "For the 1year period following the establishment of the account. recipients may not receive intensive. supportive. or training services funded under this title except for the feeforservices basis." The gentleman obviously has not read the bill. That means that you either pay for it with the stipend the gentleman says he wants to give them. which provides them no additional new services. no flexibility. So do not stand up here and talk about facts or truth. Read the bill. Read the bill. and the gentleman will find out what he is doing is denying them the services that are already available to them today.
Date: 2004-06-03
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. let me begin my remarks by thanking both the chairman and our ranking member for such a cooperative spirit in this committe6. and it is appreciated by. I am certain. Members on both sides of the aisle. I rise in strong support of the Oberstar motion to instruct conferees to accept the Safe Routes to School program as included in H.R. 3550. The House version outlines a stronger. more flexible program than the Senate version. The House version will provide muchneeded funding for infrastructure improvement and safety initiatives. ensure that States receive no less than $2 million a year. and would improve the aility of kids to safely and conveniently get to school by walking or biking. In my home State of Texas. the requests for funding for this popular initiative have been overwhelming. with request amounts far exceeding our current budget amounts. So I urge my colleagues to address the congestion around our Nations schools and provide increased physical fitness opportunities for kids by supporting this motion to instruct.
Date: 2004-06-14
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. let me thank the leadership of this committee for facilitating the bringing of this resolution to the floor. I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 439 and encourage my colleagues to join me. June 6 marked the 60th anniversary of DDay. the Allied invasion of World War II that marked a decisive moment in the defeat of Hitler and Nazi Germany. While we commemorate the valiant heroics and sacrifices of the individuals who fought to preserve our liberty. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a group whose contributions have existed in the shadows since 1944. the Army Motor Transport Service. code named the Red Ball Express. The Red Ball Express. a predominantly AfricanAmerican outfit. was a massive 82day convoy effort that supplied the Allied armies moving through Europe. The convoy system expressed from St. Lo in Normandy to Paris and eventually to the front along Frances northeasternbrderland. c ..- - TA Persevering through arduous driving conditions and ambushes. members of the Red Ball Express performed their duties with utmost precision and efficiency. Their dedication sustained thousands of Allied troops during some of the most difficult periods of World War II. When the program ended in midNovember 1944. Red Ball truckers had delivered nearly 500.000 tons of fuel. lubricants. ammunition. food and other vital essentials needed for Allied success within the European theater. In spite of the indignities. putdowns and double standards that they endured. members of the Red Ball Express contributed unselfishly to winning this centurys greatest fight for freedom. I met several of them during the World War II celebration here this past Memorial Day holiday who are very proud of being a part of this group. Historically. no group of Americans endured what African Americans endured in uniform during World War II. They proudly defended America with no guarantee that their own freedom would be defended on their return home. This Nations debt to AfricanAmerican servicemen and women who served under those conditions can never be fully repaid but at a minimum we should certainly honor their service. I urge my colleagues to join me in bringing this groups contributions out of the shadows and support House Concurrent Resolution 439.
Date: 2004-06-14
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 4061. to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide Assistance for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries. This amendment is so crucial in that it provides targeted comprehensive assistance to those who definitely cannot help themselves. Orphans and other vulnerable children are deprived of the single unost important factor in their livestheir family or their parents. By 2010. an estimated 106 million children under age 15 are projected to lose one or both parents. Among them. the number of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS is expected to jump to more than 25 million. These orphans and other vulnerable children now live throughout subSaharan Africa. Asia. Latin America and the Caribbean. Conflict has orphaned or separated 1 million children from their families in the 1990s. H.R. 4061 would help communities to ensure that orphans and other vulnerable children have a secure and healthy childhood by providing essential services. such as basic care. health services including treatment for children with HIV/AIDS. mental health care. school food programs. and job training. Orphans and other vulnerable children are not especially visible because millions of children are dispersed over many families. in communities where the hardships of individual children are lost from sight. H.R. 4061 will increase access to needed services. ensure parity for orphans and other vulnerable children and build local capacity for effective decentralization and targeting of services as well as multisectoral coordination among service providers. H.R. 4061 would allow for school fees to be waived providing a free basic education policy for millions of orphans and vulnerable children. many of whom had never enrolled in school or had dropped out because they simply could not afford the school fees. . Due to their status. these children are often most vulnerable and at risk of becoming victims of violence. exploitation. trafficking. discrimination or other abuses.. Unaccompanied giris are at especially high risk of sexual abuse. Children orphaned by AIDS are themselves particulariy vulnerable to infection because they often have no one to care for or protect them. or any means of eaming a living. A 2001 report by the International Crisis Group found that "young people with no job. no income. and no family to support them are at risk of joining. or being abducted by local militias." A young Sierra Leone youth told an audience at the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Children. "We want a better life. We want peace. We are counting on your governments and the UNs continued support for help." H.R. 4061 would provide the helpthis young boy so desperately needs. I urge full passage of this amendment.
Date: 2004-06-17
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

and Messrs. JOEKSTRA. GUTKNECHT. BARTLETT of Maryland. and CHABOT changed their vote from "aye" to "no." Messrs. SAXTON. JOHNSON of Illinois. WAMP. HINOJOSA. and McDERMOTT changed their vote from "no" to "aye." So the amendment was rejected. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.