macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-01-15
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to remember the 41 anniversary of ROE v. WADE. Every year. on January 22. students come to Washington. D.C.. and host a rally on the National Mall to celebrate life. To me. the March for Life means renewed hope and faith in our Nations young people. as I see hundreds. many from parishes just like mine. come to our Nations Capital to stand for life. I want to recognize all the groups from Illinois. including my former priest. Father Dan Willenborg. from my district in Nokomis. Illinois. and his group of 160 students who will travel almost 800 miles to participate in next weeks March for Life. I am praying for safe travels. and I wish I could be here with you. As a father of a 16yearold daughter and 13yearold twin boys. I want to thank our youth for their commitment to life. I hope my children have the same opportunity to come to Washington to stand up for what they believe in.
Date: 2014-01-16
Speaker: HERRERA BEUTLER (republican)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. today I rise to honor Captain Christopher Stover of Vancouver who was tragically killed last week in a military training accident near Salthouse. England. A 4.0 student at Evergreen High School. Captain Stover chose to serve his country and attend the United States Air Force Academy. Captain Stover was a pilot of the HH60G Pave Hawk helicopter and served tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. According to his family and friends. Chris had a passion for flying and he loved his job. A high school teacher said he was caring and nurturing and was known for fostering a strong sense of community. Not long ago. he visited an elementary school in Vancouver to thank a group of children who had sent him cards while he was overseas. and to tell them about his passion for flying. He is survived by his wife. Sarah. and his parents. Maribel and Richard. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We can never replace what you have lost. but on behalf of a grateful Nation. we thank you. and we will always remember his service. There is an Air Force Academy tradition for those graduates who pass away. It comes from the third verse of the Air Force song. I will carry on that tradition by saying: Captain Stover. heres a toast.
Date: 2014-01-27
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I have seen reports that the President is going to come to this Chamber tomorrow and talk about avoiding dealing with Congress. He is going to pick up his pen and sign executive orders without coming to this institution and following our Constitution. Mr. President. if you are that willing to pick up your pen. then pick it up and sign the Keystone pipeline permit so that we can start creating jobs in this country and get 40.000 people off the unemployment rolls and into goodpaying jobs that are careers.
Date: 2014-01-28
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. last week. amid frigid temperatures. hundreds of thousands of Americans marched in our Nations Capital in support of the unborn and the value of life. Today. it is our turn. It is our turn to stand for life by supporting H.R. 7. the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. This bill would ban the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortions once and for all. The last thing prolife taxpayers should be required to do is subsidize unethical practices. It is their money. and you better believe I will fight for them to have a say in how it is spent. Enough is enough. Madam Speaker. today. this isnt just what Republicans want. According to multiple polls. the majority of Americans oppose the use of Federal funding for abortions. This is what the American people want. and it is time folks in Washington listened. Remember. we work for them. Lets stand for life. It is the right and just thing to do. UKRAINE
Date: 2014-01-29
Speaker: AUSTIN SCOTT (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I want to first say thank you to Chairman LUCAS and Ranking Member PETERSON. The Ag Committee has some of the most conservative Members of the House and some of the most liberal Members of the House. and I will tell you we have a lot of different opinions about what could and what should be done. but we had respectful discussion across the aisle and across the philosophical debates. I have said many times from this podium that the foundation of our economy in this country is based on two things. one of them being manufacturing and the other one based on agriculture. This bill does the things it needs to do to ensure that foundation for our agricultural producers to help with that part of the economy. It also ensures that. as those farmers go forward and do the things that they do in providing the food. the nutrition. and the fiber. not only for America but for the rest of the world. that AmericansAmericanswhen they go to the grocery store. will get more for their dollar than any other country as they seek to feed their families. We found agreement to clean up waste and abuse within many of the systems. including the food stamp system. We have given more money to food banks. which I think is extremely important in making sure that the most needy of American citizens have a place to go and make sure that they can get the nutrition that they need. We have put some new policies in place. and I am confident that this bill is a move in the right direction. Where we have got those areas where we did not find the agreement. I am confident we will be able to come back and work on those. I am proud to support this bill. Mr. Speaker.
Date: 2014-01-29
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. thank you to Chairman LUCAS for the leadership he has shown in getting this conference report to the floor. I rise in strong support of this conference committee report. It is a commonsense piece of legislation that deals with things such as overregulation. That is a silent job killer that this administration is implementing through our agricultural industry. I am proud that many of the provisions that I helped craft are in this final farm bill to reduce that opportunity for this administration to continue to kill jobs in this country. We see some commonsense reforms to the SNAP program. Our goal should be to get people off of SNAP and into jobs. But. Mr. Speaker. this bill is a lesson in fiscal responsibility. It is one of the single largest cuts in mandatory spending that this Congress has done. which is putting our country on a path to complete fiscal responsibility. These are some of the decisions that we need to make. Most of those cuts are in the agricultural side. We need to understand that this is a commonsense piece of legislation. It is going to continue to reduce our deficit in this country. put us on a path to paying down our national debt. and putting excellent longterm farm policy in place for years to come. Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support.
Date: 2014-02-26
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. on rollcall No. 65 I was meeting with a local official. Mayor Chris Koos. and missed the time to cast my vote. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes."
Date: 2014-03-04
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of the nuclear energy sector. Not only do nuclear power plants provide affordable reliable energy. they also provide many quality. highpaying jobs and are the backbone of many communities. My district is home to a nuclear plant in Clinton. Illinois. that employs nearly 700 people. Nuclear energy is a secure energy source that plays a vital role in a responsible alloftheabove energy policy. It is the biggest provider of reliable. efficient clean energy. and it provides ondemand energy 24/7. The recent record cold temperatures in the Midwest show the importance of energy diversification. Many of my constituents saw steep increases in their electric bill. While pipes froze and transportation became difficult because of iced roads and bridges. nuclear power remained consistent. I worry that things could have become worse if nuclear power wasnt able to fill the gaps where needed. This is why I stand here today in support of nuclear energy and all of my constituents and the hardworking taxpayers of Clinton and Central Illinois.
Date: 2014-03-05
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Chairman. my thanks to Mr. WHITFIELD. my colleague from Kentucky. and also my thanks to my colleague who I am lucky to follow. Mr. RAHALL from West Virginia. for talking about such an important issue to my district in central Illinois. One of the reasons I am here. Mr. Chairman. is because I saw the devastation. The largest employer in my home county 20 years ago closed down because of a signature on a piece of paper here in Washington. D.C. Peabody Mine No. 10 shut down its coal mining families. Families whose children I went to school with and grew up with were forced to move to get a job once again. Now. we see this attack via the EPA on coal in middle America once again. I stand here today with my colleagues to say this bill is a commonsense proposal that is going to restrict the EPAs ability to overreach and cost familiesall families. even the poorest families in this countryit is going to cost them more out of their family budget to turn the light switch on. it is going to cost jobs in my district at existing coalfired power plants. They are some of the best jobs in central Illinois. They are organized labor jobs. This is about jobs. this is about the economy. and this is about lowcost power that allows our economy to grow. That is what we all want. Mr. Chairman. isnt it?
Date: 2014-03-06
Speaker: HERRERA BEUTLER (republican)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. on March 6. 2014 I was inadvertently recorded as a "no" vote on rollcall 106H.R. 3826. the Electricity Security and Affordability Act. I support H.R. 3826 and fully intended on voting in favor of the legislation.
Date: 2014-03-11
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Thank you to the gentleman and my colleague from the great State of Illinois for introducing this important bill. As somebody who has the only Christian Science college in the Nation in his district. this is a very important issue for religious freedom and religious rights. Principia College in Elsah. Illinois. has 550 students. They sent me this card. They have much more artistic talent than I do. It says: Thank you. We are so grateful for your defense of religious freedom and hope that you will continue to advocate for this bill until it passes. This is the voice of those who need this exemption. This is the voice of those who need their religious rights protected. This is why I am standing here today with my colleague from Illinois to talk about this bill and making sure that it passes. I would urge all of my colleagues. Republicans and Democrats. to respect the students and the faculty that work and attend this college in my district. I would hope that they would support this bill with us.
Date: 2014-03-11
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. thank you to my colleague from Texas for your support on this bill and for managing it here on the floor tonight. It shows today that bipartisanship does happen in the U.S. House of Representatives. This is a commonsense bill supported by Republicans and Democrats alike. This is something that comes out from the grass roots in Madison County. Illinois. and now has a chance to become law. I am humbled by the support that we have seen for this piece of legislation and I. again. urge my colleagues to support the Hire More Heroes Act.
Date: 2014-03-11
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague Lou BARLETTA from Pennsylvania for introducing this commonsense piece of legislation. As we see. this is another unintended consequence of ObamaCare. I have received a letter from one of my volunteer fire departments just a few months ago that talked about this bill. and it said that the provision that is hurting our firefighters could be devastating to fire departments. Many volunteer fire departments rely upon local donations and fundraisers to fund their basic operations. The addition of a requirement to provide health insurance would present a serious financial challenge to them. Some departments have taken steps to reduce staffing levels and shifts in order to fall under the 50 FTE and 30hoursworked threshold. which reduces the fire departments baseline emergency response capabilities. I would like to thank Staunton. Illinois fire chief for the fire protection district in Staunton. Rick Haase. for sending me this letter. and I would urge my colleagues to support this piece of legislation.
Date: 2014-03-13
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor the life of a respected community leader and a great friend to so many in central Illinois. On February 26. longtime broadcaster. weatherman. and radio host Bob Murray lost his battle to brain cancer at the age of 66. Throughout his career. Bob took his work incredibly seriously. He used to be my weatherman. I would watch on TV while growing up. but in his later life. he was a radio broadcaster. He arrived at the radio station at 1:30 in the morning to prepare for the day because he felt an informed community was importantfrom community fundraisers. to what was happening with government. to the weather. and to the breaking local news. I had the privilege of being interviewed by Bob dozens of times over the last 18 months. and I can tell you without a doubt that he was one of the most honest. respectful. and professional members of the media I have ever met. Bobs family is honoring his life by having memorials made to the Illinois News Broadcasters Association Foundation for a scholarship to be awarded in his name. I cant think of a better way to ensure that he is remembered for years to come. So thank you. Bob Murray. for the years of service you provided to the families in central Illinois. Thank you to Bobs family for sharing him with us for more than 40 years and for allowing him to become a part of our family.
Date: 2014-03-25
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize Ms. Brandi Bruley. principal of North Elementary School in my hometown of Taylorville. Illinois. Ms. Bruley was recently named the Illinois Principals Associations 20142015 Elementary School Principal of the Year in recognition of her positive impact on her students and the entire educational community. She has worked hard to improve communication between teachers and parents with a goal of raising student achievement. As a result of her efforts. North Elementary School has been awarded the Illinois State Board of Educations Spotlight Award for the last 3 years and made the ISBE Honor Roll in 2013. Ms. Bruley has a longstanding and deep commitment to serving her students. faculty. and our entire community. Her experience and innovation enable her to bring creative ideas that focus on high standards for our local schools. Congratulations and thank you to Brandi. This is a welldeserved award to recognize all that you do for our students and the entire Taylorville community.
Date: 2014-04-01
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize Andy Griffin of Glen Carbon. Illinois. for being named the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Advocate of the Year. Andy currently serves as presidentelect on the board for the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists. as well as their Federal political director. Andy also serves as the director of the Nurse Anesthesia program at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Andy uses his dual roles as an advocate and a teacher to bring young nurse anesthetist students to Washington. D.C.. each year to meet with their congressional offices. In his spare time Andy volunteers at his church in Maryville and mentors children every summer at the Lake Williamson Christian Camp. He uses his training and passion in music to help children connect with their faith. In addition to mentoring children within his community. Andy is a loving husband to his wife. Valerie. and a great father to their four children. Andys coworkers. family. and friends can attest to his selflessness and tireless devotion to helping others and advocating on their behalf. We should all aspire to be as compassionate and dedicated as Andy Griffin. I am proud to call him my constituent and even more proud to call Andy Griffin my friend.
Date: 2014-04-02
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. let me tell you about a young American and one of my constituents from McKinney. Texas. who is doing her best to make a way for herself. Jillian. a college student. has worked parttime at a local grocery store to help pay for her school expenses. For many years. Jillian clocked between 30 and 40 hours a week until suddenly that was cut down to 15 to 18 hours a week. Jillian learned the cuts were due to ObamaCare. The new definition of fulltime employment is 30 hours instead of the traditional 40 hours. Fewer work hours not only mean less takehome pay. but also less experience and less opportunity. That is not the America we know and love. That is not the America we want to leave to our children and grandchildren. That is why I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2575. the Save American Workers Act. to restore the traditional 40hour workweek and help millions of hardworking Americans like Jillian.
Date: 2014-04-03
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Madam Speaker. we are here yet again talking about another failed aspect of ObamaCare. It is simply unacceptable that a law meant to improve our health care system has not only failed to do that. it has actually become a job killer for this country. The need to change the 30hour workweek is personal. My dad started out working at a local McDonalds as an hourly employee and eventually worked his way up to become a franchise owner. Not only did my dad teach me that anyone could achieve the American Dream if they just worked hard enough. but he also taught me that policies. policies passed right here in this Chamber. have reallife consequences. If this provision is not fixed. workers are going to see fewer hours. which means they are going to see smaller paychecks. Studies show that there could be upwards of 2 million less fulltime workers by 2017 and the potential to short workers out of $75 billion in wages. Supporters of ObamaCare want the American people to believe that we are just wasting our time talking about changing ObamaCare and that we should just simply move on. I want folks in the 13th District of Illinois to know I will not move on. I will not quit talking about the complete failure of ObamaCare. and I will continue to advocate for commonsense fixes to this disastrous bill which will protect hardworking Americans in my district. I also want to point out. you are going to hear a lot of discussion from the other side of the aisle that this will take hardworking Americans off of employerbased insurance. I want to remind my colleagues that the architect of ObamaCare. Zeke Emanuel. it was reported just a few weeks ago that he expected that the private insurancebased health care system. coverage system. would be gone by the year 2025. Well. that means the employerbased health care system will be gone by the year 2025. He also said he expects 1.000 hospitals to close. I ask my colleagues. which hospitals. especially those like in my small town of Taylorville. Illinois. which is our largest employer? Which hospitals will close?
Date: 2014-04-03
Speaker: RODNEY DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Thank you to my great colleague from the great State of New York. It is humbling for me to stand here with you and the others who have spoken before me. those of you who have a family member who has experienced such a traumatic. traumatic event. I have been here with prosecutors who have convicted those criminals who deserve to go to jail and to stand here with somebody like Mrs. BROOKS. who worked in the college arena and saw devastation. now. for me to come up here. I have got to tell you. I am here as a dad. I am here as a father to a 17yearold daughter who. in a year and a half. will go to college. In my district in central Illinois. we have nine universities and colleges. over 45.000 female students. With the CDC estimating that 19 percent of women have experienced sexual assault since entering college. let me do the math for you. That is 8.500 women in my district that. if the statistics remain true. will experience sexual assault. I represent a district of 14 counties. This is unacceptable. That is why I rise with you. Mr. REED. to say "no more" today. I am alarmed by the fact that my daughter is going to go off to school. get in her car. and my wife and I are going to be very. very sad when we drop her off at school. And I hope and pray that these statistics dont come right to my mind. but. you know. as a dad. they will. We have to do something in this institution about it. I am proud to be a part of the Victims Rights Caucus with you and Mr. COSTA and my other colleagues. and I am committed to being a champion for the rights of victims. There are numerous events. I want to remind people. it is not enough to stand and be silent. It is not enough to recognize we have a problem. Go participate in your local events that are going to be happening in your communities throughout the month of Aprilas we know. it is Sexual Assault Awareness Monthincluding tomorrows Paint the Town Teal. where hundreds of people will wear this color to raise awareness and support survivors of sexual assault. I encourage everyone to get involved in these local events. I want to make sure that everyone here knows. this is an issue that I and my colleagues will not forget about after the month of April. I look forward to the day when sexual assault is no longer a chronic problem that deserves national attention. However. until that day. the responsibility is on all of us to do what we can to stop sexual assault in this country and to say "no more."