macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1988-05-12
Speaker: JOHN H. GIBBONS (democrat)
Chamber: S

Director. Office of Technology Assessment. U.S. Congress. Washington. DC. DEAR DR. GIBBONS: At the request of the Chairmen and Ranking Minority Members of the Senate and House Committees on Veterans Affairs. I am sending you the protocol for serum dioxin testing in support of the Air Force Health Study. This protocol was prepared by the Air Force study investigators at Brooks AFB. Texas. In light of the difficulty in conducting an epidemiologic study of the effects of dioxin on ground troops. the Air Force study assumes great Importance as a study with sufficient size and power to properly evaluate the issue of Agent Orange and its effects on Vietnam veterans. To date. the Air Force study has had to rely on a calculated index of exposure to Agent Orange and dioxin which was based on several assumptions of Work habits. That approach represented the stateoftheart. but the availability of a serum assay will allow more precise measurement of each subjects exposure. The assay will more accurately classify our participants and will significantly strengthen the study. Thank you for your consideration of this protocol. With your support. we continue to make progress in resolving the important Agent Orange issue. Sincerely.
Date: 1988-05-17
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I want to use this occasion. the consideration of H.R. 4162. to congratulate the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States for the tremendous progress It has made in Its brief history. The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States is made up of seven island countries In the Caribbean that share a great deal with the people of my district in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The people of the Virgin Islands have taken a deep interest In their neighbors efforts to establish a political framework for regional cooperation. security. and economic progress. These nations of the Eastern Caribbean have succeeded in establishing a common currency. a common judicial system. their own trading organization. and a framework for further development. They deserve the help and respect of the United States. which also has a strong Interest in the economic and political conditions in this region that lies so close off our southern shores. I hope the United States will offer its assistance as these nations strive for greater progress. and I offer my full support for this legislation to give the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States limited international organization status. I want to commend the gentleman from Michigan for offering this bill that both recognizes and enhances the standing of our neighbors from the Eastern Caribbean.
Date: 1988-05-18
Speaker: ST GERMAIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Spiaker. I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking. Finance and Urban Affairs may sit tomorrow during the 5minute rule for the purpost of markMay 18. 1.988 COP ing up the bill. H.R. 3011. the Home Equity Loan Consumers Protection Act of 1988. This has been cleared with the minority.
Date: 1988-05-19
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of H.R. 4587. the legislative branch appropriations for fiscal year 1989. The problems and issues that we as Members of the House of Representatives consider. discuss. and ultimately vote on are often complex and controversial. I. as an elected representative and as chairman of the Committee on Agriculture. want to make the right decisions for my constituents back in the 15th Congressional District of Texas. for American agriculture. and for our Nation. Unfortunately. I cannot do this alone. Committee staff serve a vital role in helping us. the 435 men and women who have the honor of serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. to understand the issues and to make reasonable and hopefully coherent judgment about national policy. They are our extra set of eyes and ears. helping us gather and digest information. The support provided by adequate staffing of a congressional committee enables Members to effectively carry out the legislative branchs legislative and oversight responsibilities. Mr. Chairman. to those who would propose making further cutbacks in committee appropriations. let me relate what has happened to the Committee on Agriculture. the committee which I have the honor of serving as chairman. Throughout much of its history the committee operated with very limited staff resources. But as the committee was assigned broader jurisdictional responsibilities and American agriculture itself became much more complex. increases in committee resources were required. Nevertheless. in response to the overriding budgetary problems our Nation faces. the Agriculture Committees staff size has been gradually reduced from a high of over 70 employees in the early 1980s to around 60 fulltime employees today. I believe we have reached the point now where any further reductions would harm the ability of the committee to operate effectively for the American people. The Committee on Agriculture oversees the Nations single biggest industry and largest employer. agriculture. Yet. the Committee on Agriculture is one of the smallest standing committees of the House. Mr. Chairman. I assure you and my colleagues that as committee chairman. I will continue to diligently monitor and control committee costs. The appropriations level allotted to the Committee on Agriculture will continue to allow the committees members to effectively respond to the problems and concerns of American agriculture.
Date: 1988-05-23
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and agree to the conference report on the Senate bill to amend the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 and for other purposes.
Date: 1988-05-23
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to urge my colleagues to adopt the conference report on S. 1539. the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 1988. This Is one of the most important pieces of legislation to come before the House. In fact. it is the most significant rail safety legislation in almost 20 years. And I am happy to say that this legislation represents a bipartisan effort to improve the safety of rail transportation in the United States. In that regard I would very much like to thank the gentleman from Kansas . the ranking minority member of our subcommittee and a conferee. whose dedication and hard work have helped make this an excellent bill. I would also like to thank the other members of the Energy and Commerce Committee who served as conferees:
Date: 1988-05-23
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan . the chairman of the full Committee .on Energy and Commerce.
Date: 1988-05-23
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the conference report just agreed to.
Date: 1988-05-23
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. I want to commend the gentleman from Louisiana as the chairman of the subcommittee that handles this legislation. as well as our colleague. the gentleman from Texas . and all of the members of the subcommittee. Mr. Speaker. this is a long needed amendment to the general law that will be helpful In assisting the cotton industry. and we are very thankful that all of the segments of the Industry have come in place to assist us In this endeavor. as well as other commodities who are a part of the general Farm Act and the 1985 Food Security Act and that they were willing to go along and allow cotton to basically have the same availability of tools that they have. This will be very important because the 1985 Food Security Act has worked well. We have sold our cotton. We are back into the world markets. We are back into further use. expanding use domestically but as happens we have had good fortune and we are coming up with much more cotton than was anticipated. And this will have an opportunity to balance the domestic/foreign needs and our ability to produce within the law and provide some more stability and some discretion to the producer in that he can shift lands and. under the crosscompliance section of the general act. do so without the protection to the general act and to all of the other commodities without enhancing his position so that he accrues more acreage but rather he can keep it in balance and do what is necessary for good and useful management. I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time.
Date: 1988-05-23
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass ti- bill to amend the U.S. Grain Standards Act to extend through September 30. 1993. the authority contained in section 155 of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981 and Public Law 98469 to charge and collect inspection and weighing fees. and for other purposes. as amended.
Date: 1988-05-23
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may constime. Mr. Speaker. this legislation extends what we commonly know as the Grain Inspection Service. the authority for another 5 years and basically it provides the administrative ability of the Grain Inspection Service to fulfill the requirement of examining or of grading all of the grains that leave the United States for export. It is the official inspection service for all of the United States grains. The authority under the current law for the Federal Grain Inspection Service to charge user fees to cover its administrative and supervisory costs related to official inspection and weighing under the U.S. Grain Standards Act. with this that authority continues. They have an advisory committee which is to give advice to the FGIS administrator with respect to implementing the grain standards. the Grain Standards Act consistent with the declaration of policy of the act. We increase the membership from 12 to 15 persons. Then we extend the charter for the inspection service for 5 years and also provide a pilot project for 1989. only. crops of wheat. feed grains and soybeans. to determine a feasible and appropriate method of establishing CCC. that is Commodity Credit Corporation. premiums and discounts based on the quality and cleanliness of the grain purchases as a loan obligation. This is very important because it can be one of the tools to promote and better sell grains that come into the CCC on the loan. I think this study hopefully will prove that it can be beneficial. The committee did not feel that it was necessary to take the step at this point without further study. Th.i. is the reason for the pilot project. There were several other amendments that were discussed that will be handled administratively that were not attached to the legislation. But basically this is the thrust of the bill that we have here today. the couple of amendments or changes that I have just mentioned. and extending the act for another 5 years. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 1988-05-23
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I take this time only to thank the Members. both those on the committee and not on the committee. who have worked diligently with us. such as the gentleman from Nebraska. the gentleman from Kansas. and many others who worked with us to make this a viable. effective. constructive piece of legislation.
Date: 1988-05-23
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 4345. the bill Just passed. and also on H.R. 4615 and H.R. 4556. which were passed earlier today.
Date: 1988-05-24
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today In support of H.R. 4028. a bill that would authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to exchange certain National Forest System lands in the Targhee National Forest. The bill was Introduced by the gentleman from Idaho and the gentleman from Wyoming . It represents a bipartisan effort to facilitate a land exchange that will result in benefit to the citizens of both States. As such. H.R. 4028 deserves the support of my colleagues in the House. H.R. 4028 Is necessary In order to permit the U.S. Forest Service to exchange a 270acre tract of land in Wyoming for certain private lands in or adjacent to the Targhee National Forest in Idaho. Current law prohibits the exchange of national forest lands between States and requires that the lands be included within the exterior boundaries of a national forest. However. this Is a unique circumstance since the 1.6millionacre forest lies in both the States of Idaho and Wyoming. The bill would authorize the Secretary to exchange lands In Wyoming which are desired by a private developer to expand the Grand Targhee Resort. for certain tracts in Idaho. While the bill does not specify the lands to be May 24 . 1988 acquired in Idaho. it is anticipated that they will include several critical areas along the South Fork of the Snake River which are desired to protect this unique natural resource. The owner of the Grand Targhee Resort is now negotiating with the current owner of these private tracts in Idaho. in order to facilitate the exchange. The bill would require that the exchanged lands be of equal or nearly equal value. with any difference in values to be covered by a cash payment not to exceed 25 percent of the total values of the lands involved. Mr. Speaker. this bill and the land exchange it would authorize. would result in minimal cost to the Government while providing significant benefits to the residents of both Idaho and Montana. Expansion of the Grand Targhee Resort will provide substantial economic benefit to the residents of the area. and especially for those in Driggs. ID. which is located just 9 miles west of the resort. At the same time. acquisition of critical lands along the South Fork of the Snake River will preserve the fish and wildlife habitat and scenic qualities of the area. and ensure public access to the river. Since the gentleman from Idaho first unveiled this proposed land exchange. the committee staff has worked closely with his Washington. DC. and district office staff to prepare the necessary legislation. The Subcommittee on Forests. Family Farms. and Energy held field hearings in Driggs. ID. on April 16. 1988. as well as a hearing in Washington. DC. on April 27. Support for H.R. 4028 was strong from all those affected. Mr. STALLINGS is to be commended for his efforts. Mr. Speaker. H.R. 4028 was considered by -the subcommittee on April 27. 1988. and by the full Agriculture Committee on May 5. 1988. The bill was favorably reported without amendment. I recommend its immediate passage.
Date: 1988-05-24
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I urge the House to override the Presidents veto on H.R. 3. the omnibus trade bill. Mr. Speaker. although the President In his message to the Congress did not mention the provisions of the agriculture title as a basis for his decision. there are a number of provisions in this bill which will help American agriculture. In the early 1980s agriculture went through severe economic depression. While the picture is beginning to Improve and the programs in the 1985 farm bill are working. much more needs to be done to return agriculture to ecoliomic health. The provisions of this bill developed by the Agriculture Committee should strengthen our agricultural economy through expanded exports. The agriculture title is designed to increase the effectiveness of USDA in agricultural trade policy formulation and implementation. As a first step in this process. we have provided authorization for a personnel increase for the Foreign Agricultural Service of not less than 900 fulltime employees. We have also provided authorization for an increase in appropriations of $20 million through fiscal year 1990 for the Foreign Agricultural Service to be used for market development purposes. expansion of the agricultural attache service and international trade policy activities. The title also established one office within the Department of Agriculture where farmers. exporters aid others ran obtain data on agricultural trade or assistance if they believe they have been Injured by unfair trade practices. .A number of studies are mandated to pro. vide data on Imports of agricultural commodities and their effects on our domestic economy. In summary. this legislation will provide additional tools to the Department of Agriculture to formulate an effective and aggressive trade policy. Again. I urge my colleagues to vote In favor of the resolution.
Date: 1988-06-01
Speaker: BE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speakers table the Senate bill to authorize the establishment by the Secretary of Agriculture of a plant stress and water conservation research laboratory and program at Lubbock. TX. and ask for its immediate consideration.
Date: 1988-06-01
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I urge the Members of the House to support passage of S. 1652. This bill is nearly identical to H.R. 2663. a bill which my colleagues from Texas. Messrs. COMBEST and STENHOLM. and I introduced nearly a year ago. H.R. 2663. which passed the House. and S. 1652. would authorize the establishment of a plant stress and water conservation laboratory In Lubbock. TX. to further much needed research on the effects of drought and other environmental stresses on agricultural production. The Senate has made only minor. technical changes in the Housepassed bill. Given the extended period of drought that is now affecting our State. the laboratory and research program authorized by S. 1652 is extremely timely. In addition to authorizing the establishment of the plant stress lab. S. 1652 includes an amendment to the Morrill Act which ensures that an existing program of research affecting the Pacific and Carribean insular areas continue to be funded. We have no objections to this amendment. which was added to the Senate bill at the request of Senators JOHNSTON and MCCLURE. Mr. Speaker. this bill has been cleared with our minority counterparts on the committee. I move its immediate adoption.
Date: 1988-06-01
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unardmous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the Senate bill just passed.
Date: 1988-06-02
Speaker: ST GERMAIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking. Finance and Urban Affairs be permitted to sit during proceedings of the House under the 5minute rule today to mark up H.R. 1580. the AntiApartheid Act Amendments of 1988. The ranking minority member concurs in this request.
Date: 1988-06-13
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to require persons handlilg polychlorinated biphenyls to comply with the manifest and financial responsibility requirements of the Solid Waste Disposal Act and to require persons carrying out certain intermediate activities with respect to polychlorinated biphenyls to obtain approval from the Environmental Protection Agency. as amended.
Date: 1988-06-13
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I urge the adoption of H.R. 3070. legislation that would tighten Federal controls on the toxic chemical polychlorinated biphenyls. or PCBs. The bill. H.R. 3070. was introduced by my colleagues. Messrs. MIKE
Date: 1988-06-13
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEI (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Fno o]. a member of the subcommittee.
Date: 1988-06-13
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma . the author of the legislation. and again I congratulate him for his excellent contribution.
Date: 1988-06-13
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the gentleman if he does not agree. as I think he already indicated. that the problems the gentleman from New Jersey has with this bill are more with existing laws and broader problems that he has with the existing law rather than with this bill? As the gentleman says. this bill does not preempt existing laws and does not do any of the things the gentleman from New Jersey really complained about.
Date: 1988-06-13
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that in the engrossment of the bill. H.R. 3070. the Clerk be authorized to correct section numbers. punctuation. and cross references. and to make sure other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the actions of the House in passing this bill.
Date: 1988-06-13
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks. and to include extraneous matter. on H.R. 3070. the bill just passed.
Date: 1988-06-15
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. tomorrow marks the anniversary of a tragic event that the entire free world should always remember. Thirty years ago on June 16. 1958. the Prime Minister of Hungary. lmre Nagy. was executed by Soviet forces for his role in the revolution of 1956. Today. I am honored to join with my esteemed colleague. the gentleman from New York. who has been in the forefront of the effort to impress upon the Hungarian Government the importance of returning the remains of over 2.000 Hungarians who were executed during the period of 1956 to 1958 for their participation in the revolution of 1956. Mr. Speaker. I am proud to join with the gentleman from New York and the Hungarian people In tribute to their martyred leader and those who died for the cause of freedom not only in Hungary but throughout the world. May Imre Nagy and those who fell with him be honored in our memories. and may the people of Hungary achieve the freedom and liberty for which those of another generation so valiantly struggled. Again. I want to commend the gentleman from New York for his diligence on this issue.