macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-07-09
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of the motion to recommit. and every Member of the House who is concerned about runaway spending should join me in this vote. The motion seeks to delete just one feature of this bill: The socalled "preauthorization of future California water projects" that ends a century of congressional review and design of massive. costly. and sometimes controversial water projects. Passing this bill without deleting the socalled preauthorization provision grants a blank check to bureaucrats and Federal agencies to spend billions of dollars on dams. conveyance facilities. and other potentially controversial water projects in California without any further authorization by Congress. This provision grants special privileges to California projects. They alone. not projects in Arizona. Colorado. or New Mexico. or anywhere else in the reclamation west. would be cleared for construction based upon a study done by the planners in the Department of the Interior. A study might reveal serious fiscal. legal. or environmental problems. But the project goes ahead anyway unless Congress passes a bill to stop it. If that bill is not brought to the floor of the House. the project goes forward. So as projects in other States are forced to wait for bills to pass authorizing their construction. California moves to the front of the" line. awaiting no authorization. freed from the scrutiny that will be imposed on projects in every other State. Those of you who have been here for a while know that water projects typically move in packages so that no State is left behind. Well. say goodbye to that process if this bill passes with the California preauthorization process. because many of the biggest. most expensive. most controversial projects will be off and running while you are still in the paddock. Now. some may ask. why would I. as a Californian. raise this concern? Because I am a strong supporter of CALFED. I am a strong supporter of the record of decision. and I would like to support this legislation. But as the former chairman of both the Subcommittee on Water and Power and the full Committee on Resources. I know that a project that bypasses the authorization process is going to face withering opposition in the appropriations process and in the regulatory and judicial process and among the voters back at home. and that is why I offer this motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker. I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California .
Date: 2004-07-09
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as -I may consume. and I thank the gentlewoman for her comments. and say to the House that if this motion is passed. the bill would come back immediately to the House for its consideration and then it would move on to the Senate without this very controversial provision that has substantial Senate opposition and we can get on with passing this bill that the people have worked so terribly hard on and which our State needs.
Date: 2004-07-09
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.
Date: 2004-07-09
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I missed rollcall No. 358. because of an interview on a network. If I had been present I would have voted "aye."
Date: 2004-07-12
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

changed their vote from "no" to "aye." So the amendment was rejected. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Date: 2004-07-12
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. unfortunately. I missed four votes in the House of Representatives on July 12. 2004. Had I been in attendance I would have made the following votes: Vote on the Holt amendment to H.R. 4755Legislative Branch Appropriations Act for FY05. Had I been in attendance. I would have vote "aye." Vote on the Hefley amendment to H.R. 4755Legislative Branch Appropriations Act for FY05. Had I been in attendance. I would have voted "no." Vote on the Motion to Recommit--4755Legislative Branch. Appropriations Act for FY05. Had I been in attendance. I would have vote "aye." Vote on passage of H.R. 4755Legislative Branch Appropriations Act for FY05. Had I been in attendance. I would have vote "aye."
Date: 2004-07-14
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague. the gentleman from New Jersey. for yielding me this time and for putting forward H.R. 1587. of which I am in full support. the Viet Nam Human Rights Act. I know a number of my colleagues oppose this bill. so I would like to reiterate why it .is so important to pass this bill today. First of all. we passed a very similar piece of legislation by a vote of 410 to 1 back in 2001. Unfortunately. the Senate did not take that up. and so the law was not enacted. But. since that time. one would think that our relationship would have gotten stronger with Vietnam. and in many ways it has. - The problem is that there are still very bad human rights abuses by the government of Vietnam against its own people. In fact. things have gotten worse. Religious dissidents continue to be imprisoned. and crackdowns have been intensified on religious minorities. The leaders of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam remain under house arrest 9 months after this House overwhelmingly passed House Resolution 427 commending the churchs courageous leadership. We have passed a resolution on Father Ly. a Catholic priest who has been arrested and convicted. all for following religious. freedom. something that our own country is based on. And freedom of the press? There is no freedom of the press in Vietnam. Ev: erything is owned by the State. When I talked to the cardinal of the Catholic. church. he said he is not even allowed to pass out a newsletter in his church on Sunday because that is lress. according to the government of Vietnam. There is no religious freedom. There is no freedom of the press. People are arrested. I have gone twice now to Vietnam. and they are arrested and put in jail for no reason. I think it is about time that we support this bill and we pass it in this House.
Date: 2004-07-15
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

I thank the gentleman very much for yielding. Mr. Chairman. the great ape populations are declining at an alarming rate worldwide. The continuing destruction of habitat. in combination with the growth in the commercial bushmeat trade in Africa and increased logging activities in Indonesia. has led scientists to suggest that the majority of the great ape populations will be extinct in the next 10 to 20 years. To address this crisis. in May 2001. UNESCO and UNEP established the Great Apes Survival Project. known as GRASP. GRASP is uniquely placed to mobilize resources and provide a communication platform to bring the dramatic decline of great ape population to a halt. But. sadly. Mr. Chairman. the bill we have before us includes no funding for the GRASP program. While I recognize that assessed contributions to UNESCO are part of the CJS appropriations bill. voluntary contributions to UNESCO programs. like GRASP. are usually included in the Foreign Operations appropriations bills International Organizations Account. For fiscal year 2004. Congress appropriated almost $1.9 million in voluntary contributions to UNESCO programs. It is my hope that. in the further deliberations of this bill. both here and in the conference. serious consideration can be given to the funding of GRASP programs to protect the great apea from total extinction. Could I ask my friend from Arizona. the distinguished Chair. for his help and cooperation on this very important issue as we move to the conference on this legislation.
Date: 2004-07-15
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. let me first acknowledge the work that the gentleman from Maryland and the gentleman from Ohio did on the election reform bill the last session. I was there every day attempting to help make it pass. but it has not been implemented. Fortyone States have asked to implement it in 2006. and then 27. including some of those. have asked to get a waiver. So we have not improved. We had observers in Florida in November of 2002 requested by the Secretary of State. They came from Russia. Bosnia. Switzerland. United Kingdom and somewhere else. and we go all over the world observing elections. Why cannot we follow the same rules we insist on the world following? We write the rules. We enforce them everywhere but here. We want a fair election that is transparent. and we have not experienced it the last 4 years. We are tired of making sure we vote and the votes do not get counted or getting intimidated to keep from voting. If we cannot do that as a democracy. we have no democracy. This is the very foundation of a democracy. The first amendment right to freedom of speech. that is an expression of who they want in office. and they did not get the last one that was elected.
Date: 2004-07-15
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Chairman. I want to turn in a copy of the Certified Vote Organization. Over 1.700 people. that is technologists. lawyers. political scientists. says that the technology that we are using in the upcoming election is flawed. I come from Florida * * * No. we are not going to get over it. And we want verification from the world.
Date: 2004-07-19
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentlewoman from Guam for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 1156. a bill that I authored. I am pleased to see that the bill is on the Suspension Calendar today. and I thank the leadership for putting it on todays calendar. H.R. 1156 would increase the authorized Federal share for the Orange County. California. groundwater replenishment system from $20 million to $80 million. This will allow Orange County to complete its innovative groundwater replenishment system. The groundwater replenishment system will serve about 2.3 million residents of north and central Orange County. and it will create a new water supply of 72.000 acrefeet per year. It is basically a recycling program. a very innovative one. and many States and nations around the world have come to Orange County to look at our tertiary cleaning system that we have. What this bill does is to increase the Federal share of the project. bringing it closer to the 25 percent level. the level at which almost every other reclamation project is funded in the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act of 1992 and the Reclamation Cycling and Water Conservation Act. The project is not just important to Orange County. California. but is important to the entire western United States because by recycling our own water. we would not rely so heavily on the Colorado River Aqueduct or the San Francisco Bay Delta water. Members from both sides of the aisle recognize the need for this project. and I would like to particularly recognize the gentleman from California for his cosponsorship and his continued support. The gentleman from California is also offering H.R. 142 today. authorizing the Interior Secretary to participate in Inland Empire water projects. and I am pleased to be a cosponsor of that. and I urge my colleagues to support that as well. At the same time. I would like to thank the Committee on Resources chairman. the gentleman from California . the ranking member. the gentleman from West Virginia
Date: 2004-07-19
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H. Res. 714. This resolution honors a woman who has been one of the most influential and positive forces on public education for many years. Last week. Sandra Feldman retired from the presidency of the American Federation of Teachers. which represents 1.3 million teachersfrom preschools. to universitiesthroughout this nation. Through this resolution. the Congress joins her colleagues in the AFT. and throughout the education field. in recognizing and honoring her contributions to teaching and to the improved status and professionalism of educators. Ms. Feldmans involvement in improving the quality of education began as an advocate for children during the civil rights movement in the 1960s. She understood. as we should all. that the right to a sound public education is one of the most basic of our civil rights. Without that education and training. opportunities are cut off from young people in higher education. employment and promotions. Her work continued as a public elementary school teacher in 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms at PS 34 in Manhattan. She was elected to the presidency of the United Federation of Teachers in 1986. and then theAFT presidency in 1997. Ms. Feldmans tenure as president of AFT has been marked by tireless efforts to improve teaching and leaming in our country. Ms. Feldmans strong national leadership on standards based reform helped strengthen student performance and expand the skills of teachers. Along with many Members of Congress. state and local legislators. and local board of education. I have long sought Ms. Feldmans advice and counsel in the development of education and child development policy. She has never failed to respond to requests for her expert advice. serving on innumerable task forces and commissions. and as a regular witness before Congress. Quite simply. her leadership at the AFT has enabled the nation to improve teacher quality and make academic achievement a reality. The contributions of Ms. Feldman to our educational system has been immeasurable. This resolution only recognizes these contributions in a small way. The true measurement of Ms. Feldmans efforts are seen in our schools. Her impact can be seen with an increased focus on teacher quality and better working conditions for teachers. But also her impact is evident in the strength and desire by our schools to improve teaching and learning. Her leadership at the AFT has brought increased commitment to closing the achievement gap and ensuring all children can succeed. This is the type of leadership that will continue to strengthen our educational system for years to come. and that will open the door of opportunity to millions of children who otherwise may well have languished in underfunded. unsupported schools throughout this country. That is a legacy that any teacher can be very proud of. I urge all Members to support this resolution. to recognize a great educator and advocate for teachers and schools. and to wish Sandy the very best for her years of contribution to her country.
Date: 2004-07-19
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I rise to honor the distinguished career and retirement of Sandra Feldman as outgoing President of the American Federation of Teachers. She is truly an extraordinary trailblazer of the American educational system. Defying odds and raising standards is second nature to Sandra Feldman. The daughter of laborers and a product of New York Citys educational system. Sandra Feldman has dedicated her life and her passion to her community and this nation in improving teaching and learning for all Americans. Since taking the reins of the AFT in 1997 as the 15th president and its first woman president. the organization and its state affiliates have been an unprecedented rise in state and national standardized test scores. The AFT has also increased graduation and retention rates in schools determined to be "at risk." This great advocate of education has been an invaluable tool in our nations efforts to make our public schools accountable and equipped with quality teachers. textbooks and other materials needed to ensure that the truly free people are also an educated people. Mr. Speaker. as we recognize Ms. Feldman. I would also like to extend this recognition and honor to the Texas Federation of Teachers. particularly those in my district of Dallas. Facing extreme budget cuts from the state and new standardized test scores. the teachers of the Dallas Independent School District have rsen to the challenge to make sure that their students are able to compete on the equal footing.. Mr. Speaker. as I concluded. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing an unwavering pioneer in the realm of educationMs. Sandra Feldman.
Date: 2004-07-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. allow me to thank the gentleman from Texas and the gentleman from Texas for getting us to this point. I rise in support of their resolution. H. Res. 1723. recognizing the 35th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. I am proud to be a cosponsor. Apollo 11 was the first mission in which humans walked on the lunar surface and returned to Earth. On July 20. 1969. two astronauts. Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong. whom I saw on television this morning. and LM pilot Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin. Jr.. landed in the Mare Tranquilitatis. the Sea of Tranquility. on the Moon in lunar module. while the Command and Service Module continued in lunar orbit. During their stay on the Moon. the astronauts set up scientific experiments. took photographs and collected lunar samples. The lunar module took off from the Moon on July 21. and the astronauts returned to Earth on July The performance of the spacecraft was excellent throughout the mission. The primary mission goal of landing astronauts on the Moon and returning them to Earth was achieved. The space exploration research program has been one of the most successful research programs in the history of this country. The space program has yielded many lifesaving medical tests. accessibility advances for the physically challenged and products that make our lives more safe and enjoyable. Specific technological advances made possible by space research include arteriosclerosis detection. ultrasound scanners. automatic insulin pumps. portable xray devices. invisible braces. dental arch wire. palate surgery technology. clean room apparel. the implantable heart aid. MRI. bone analyzer. and cataract surgery tools. to name some of them. I also know that over 40 years ago. the foresight of persons that came along before us caused us to get into this type of research. We also owe those leaders some homage for their foresight. and I am hoping we will then have the foresight to continue this type of research.
Date: 2004-07-21
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of the conference report for H.R. 2443. the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004. I would like to commend the members of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation and all of the conferees for the great job they did on this bill. My interest in this bill stems from the work I do on the Committee on Homeland Security and the strong need that we have to bolster the security at our Nations ports. I am thankful that the conferees included the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) and the gentleman from California on that committee. The traditional and homeland security missions 6f the Coast Guard must both be supported. and I think this bill addresses both of those areas well. One provision requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop a longrange vessel tracking system. A true global. satellitebased tracking system. that will give the Coast Guard worldwide maritime domain awareness. When we have the ability to track ships on their entire ocean voyage. we will be able to target the ships that exhibit atypical or erratic behavior as well as to ensure their safety throughout the journey. The technology and infrastructure needed for such a tracking system is already available and in place. and I hope to see it will be used within months of passage of this legislation. I had previously introduced legislation addressing that important issue. and I am glad to see it is included in this bill. Tracking vessels is an important part of overall maritime intelligence. The bill also requires the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress on the maritime intelligence plan required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act. Container security is another key provision in the bill which requires DHS to update Congress on container security technology. empty container ingpection. cargo targeting and the deployment of radiation portal monitors at seaports. Finally. this bill gives the Department of Homeland Security continued
Date: 2004-07-22
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 3313. I call it the "Offense to the Constitution Act." Not only does this bill have nothing to do with what it pretends to address. but it attacks one of the fundamental principles of our American democratic system. the separation of powers. The Founding Fathers wisely separated the powers of the executive. the legislative. and the judicial branches so as to avoid an abuse of power by any one of the three. This administration was cemented and codified in great historic American cases like Marbury v. Madison. H.R. 3313 is a direct attack on the separation of powers and the legacy of those cases. It says: "No court created by act of Congress shall have any jurisdiction. and the Supreme Court shall have no appellate jurisdiction. to hear or decide any question pertaining to the interpretation of. or the validity under the Constitution of. section 1738C or this section." Protect the Constitution. Vote down this bill. Vote "no" on H.R. 3313.
Date: 2004-07-22
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

and Messrs. BARRETT of South Carolina. RUSH. BURTON of Indiana and BUTTERFIELD changed their vote from "yea" to "nay." So the bill was passed. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Date: 2004-07-22
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. Mr. Speaker. every day. our Nations transportation system carries goods and products to stores. brings children to school. delivers employees to work and provides access to health care. education and entertainment. Simply put. our Nations transportation sysem is the backbone of our economy and way of life and we can not afford to shortchange either. I have heard from local. state. and industry representatives. and they all concur that our transportation needs will only be met by passing a fullyfunded. longterm bill at no less than a three hundred eighteen billion dollar level. The continued stalling does nothing to address our Nations crumbling infrastructure. and jeopardizes 1.7 million new jobs in our country. Reports of bridges collapsing are increasing in news reports. In my district alone. there are seventeen structurally deficient bridges. In the State of Texas. construction employment fell by two thousand onehundred jobs in the month of June alone. When I retum home. the -unemployed dont want to here about bureaucratic infighting. They want to hear about a jobs bill thats going to put them back to work on familywage jobs. Mr. Speaker. the eyes of the Nation are upon us. Our constituents are counting on us to do what we know is the right thing. We can not let them down. We must reject the notion of continuous. shortterm extensions. There is no better economic stimulus package than a fully funded public works billplain and simple.