macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-02-04
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I rise in strong support for the Childrens Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. This bipartisan legislation will improve the very successful State Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The message and the substance of this bill is clearwe are going to preserve coverage for the 7 million children currently enrolled who otherwise have no access to health insurance while extending coverage to 4 million children who are from working families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. but do not earn enough to afford the very high costs of private health insurance. By reauthorizing this important program through 2013. we will strengthen CHIPs financing. improve the quality of health care children receive. and increase health insurance coverage for lowincome children. The Congressional Research Service projects that under this legislation. Marylands CHIP allotment will increase by 162 percent. The bill is fully paid for by a 62 cept increase in federal excise taxes on cigarettes. Increasing the tobacco tax will save millions of children from tobacco addiction and save billions in health care costs. The 2000 U.S. Surgeon Generals report found that increasing the price of tobacco products will decrease the prevalence of tobacco use. particularly among kids and young adults. Just two weeks ago. a new President was swom into officePresident Obama. Passing this bill and sending it to his desk now sends a very important signal that change has come as a result of the last election. President Obamas predecessor twice vetoed this legislation. The new President will sign this legislation into law because he understands the hardships that American families are struggling under at a time when millions of Americans have lost their jobs and lost health coverage for their children. Madam Speaker. lets look out for Americas children by providing them the health insurance coverage they deserve. I urge my colleagues to vote for this muchneeded legislation.
Date: 2009-02-04
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise today in support of final passage of H.R. 2. the Childrens Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. This bill should have been passed last year. but after working on this bill for an entire Congress. I am pleased with the final version before us today. This bill will extend the SCHIP program for four and a half years and provide SCHIP coverage for the 7 million children already enrolled in the SCHIP and will insure nearly 4 million additional children. The bill also includes a provision that will give 400.000 to 600.000 legal immigrant children access to health care. These children are currently barred from SCHIP coverage because of a five year waiting period for Medicaid for legal immigrants. This provision. which was originally in H.R. 465. the Immigrant Childrens Health Improvement Act. will give states the option to cover children and pregnant women lawfully residing in the United States. Current law requires these legal immigrants to endure a five year waiting period before they have access to Medicaid coverage when they would otherwise be eligible. The waiting period actually costs more than covering these children because they often have no health insurance and end up in emergency rooms for primary care treatment.
Date: 2009-02-04
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I .rise In support of The DTV Delay Act. Two weeks from today. all fullpower television broadcast stations are required to terminate analog signals and transmit only in digital. Congress mandated the transition to digital in response to requests by police. firefighters. and emergency personnel for the increased radio spectrum necessary for reliable. interoperable communications. To help Americans prepare for the transition and to offset the associated cost for consumers. Congress established the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. But the program underestimated the number of requests for coupons and ran out of money. As a result. many Americans have not received coupons and are unprepared for transition. Today 1.8 million households are on a waiting list to receive more than 3.3 million converter box coupons. Though funding was inserted in the Stimulus Package to pay for more coupons. unless the February 17th conversion date is delayed. few of these Americans will be able to receive their coupons and purchase their converter boxes in time. The DiV Delay Act will help the Coupon Program to honor requests for coupons and enable those whose coupons may have expired. to receive new ones. The bill does this by delaying the transition date to June 13th. 2009 and extending the period that the Coupon Program may operate until July 31st 2009.. According to the Nielsen Company. 6.5 million households will lose all TV reception on February 17. 2009. Television is the leading source Americans use to receive critical public safety information. news and entertainment. Yet millions of Americans. including many of the countrys most vulnerable groups like seniors. the poor and minorities. still need to take steps to prepare for transition. I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of The DTV Delay Act. The country is not yet prepared for digital transition. This bill will provide the time we need to ensure that all Americans are able to enjoy the full benefits that transition to digital can provide.
Date: 2009-02-10
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia and Mr. PAUL changed their vote from "nay" to "yea." So the motion to instruct was agreed to. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Date: 2009-02-10
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. in the inner sanctum of my soul. I believe that although the arc of the moral universe is long. as Dr. King put it. it bends toward justice. However. I must confess that in the cognitive confines of my cranium. I know that it does so because of organizations like the NAACP. For 100 years. the NAACP has been there bending the arc of the moral universe toward justice for all. From antilynching legislation to Brown v. Board of Education. to the election of the 44th President of this Nation. the NAACP has been there. For 100 years. its been there because of brave and noble Americans who made great sacrifice that all may have a better life. Brave and noble Americans like NAACPer Rosa Parks. who took a stand by taking a seat and ignited a spark as a result that enhanced the Civil Rights Movement. brave and noble Americans like NAACPer Medgar Evers. who sacrificed his life in an effort to bring justice to all. brave and noble Americans like white NAACPgr John Shalady. who was beaten by a mob and eventually died in his effort to secure rights for blacks. For 100 years. its been there demonstrating at the White House. negotiating and litigating at the courthouse. Hence. it is indeed most appropriate that the Congress of the United States of America honor the NAACP on this. its 100th anniversary. To this end. Mr. Speaker. I thank Chairman CONYERS and Ranking Member LAMAR SMITH. subcommittee chair BOBBY SCOTT. floor leader HANK JOHNSON. and also now floor leader Judge TED POE. I also thank the 105 U.S. House cosponsors of this legislation. I thank Senator DODD and his 20 cosponsors of the companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. And. in closing. at the risk of being both redundant and superfluous. I beg. beseech and entreat my colleagues to support this resolution because. in so doing. you are voting for liberty and justice for all. as pronounced in the Pledge of Allegiance. In so doing. you are voting for government of the people by the people for the people. as proclaimed in the Constitution. In so doing. you are voting for the equality of all. as promulgated in the Declaration of Independence. By voting for this resolution. you are continuing to bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice.
Date: 2009-02-11
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor JOHN DINGELL as the longest serving member of the House of Representatives and to offer my support for this resolution. He has been a mentor to many members of Congress. including me. I have had the privilege of serving and working with Congressman DINGELL on the Energy and Commerce Committee since joining that Committee in 1996. Under his leadership. we have worked to expand and improve healthcare coverage. develop sound energy policy. enharce consumer protection. and address numerous other issues under the Committees jurisdiction. I cannot say enough about his leadership to make healthcare more affordable and accessible to all Americans. We worked together on the State Childrens Health Insurance Program. or SCHIP reauthorization. which the President signed into law last week. and legislation to expand federally qualified health centers that significantly improves healthcare access for individuals in underserved areas like our district. Over his career. JOHN DINGELL has had a hand in pieces of legislation from Medicare passing in 1965. to the Clean Air Act. to the Endangered Species Act. the Do Not Call list. and numerous other laws. He also played an unprecedented and vigorous roll in oversight while Chairman of the Committee to ensure govemment programs are working for the people. and he continues to do so today. It has truly been an honor to serve with JOHN DINGELL and work closely with him on the Energy and Commerce Committee. I congratulate him becoming the longest serving member in the history of the House of Representatives. and look forward to continuing to work with him on the many issues he has championed as long as I have known him.
Date: 2009-02-12
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. during these difficult economic times. President Obama has called on Americans to embrace a new era of responsibility. To that end. last week I introduced H.R. 852. the Rebuild America Bonds Act of The proceeds from these bonds would be set aside in a Rebuild America trust fund. to be used only to build infrastructure projects. including rail. transit. water. highway. bridge. and road projects. Rebuild America savings bonds would provide every American with the opportunity not only to invest in their country but to also provide the financial support that we need for our infrastructure in America. In addition. the new savings bonds will improve the morale of the American people. People want to know. what can I do now? They want to know. where can I put my money? Where will it be safe? How can I help America. From bridge collapses. water main breaks. and other infrastructure accidents across this country. it is clear that Americas infrastructure is aging. So I urge my colleagues to cosponsor H.R. 852. the Rebuild America Bonds Act.
Date: 2009-02-13
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

This economic crisis will not be solved by a song. a poem. or a good joke. It will be solved by this Congress going to work with this new President to meet this crisis head on. It will be solved when we provide jobs in this country. when we free up the credit markets. when we force the banks to lend as they should be doing. and we provide this stimulus bill. All Members of Congress should be very proud to vote "aye" on this legislation and yield to the cries and the needs of American families and workers.
Date: 2009-02-13
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. today we stand shoulder to shoulder with President Obama to say to the American people. help is on the way. This package packs a punch where its needed most: readytogo infrastructure projects. tax relief for middle America and small businesses. essential forwardlooking investments in areas like clean energy. health IT. scientific research and education. priorities that will create or save millions of jobs in this country. Now. throughout this debate weve heard from those who. for a variety of reasons. think we should do nothing. While those voices may be sincere. inaction is not an option. Just say no is not an answer to the American people at this time. And if our colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to define themselves as the party of "Nobama" .I think that the American people will call them and say its time for us to work together. There are also those that say we should do this through tax cuts alone. And they propose substituting a middle class tax cut package with a tax package that once again benefited those who are relatively well off. We dont need more of the same. We need to put this country to work. I urge adoption of this legislation.
Date: 2009-02-13
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I want to commend my Chairman. Mr. OBERSTAR. and Chairman OBEY for elevating the importance of Obey infrastructure investment towards the economic recovery of our Nation. I strongly support the Conference Report to H.R. 1. particularly the infrastructure components. which direct desperately needed funds into our Nations roads. bridges. transit systems. airports. and waterrelated infrastructure. Each $1 billion of Federal funds invested in infrastructure creates or sustains approximately thirtyfour thousand jobs and $6.2 billion in economic activity. The $64 billion dollars for infrastructure investments outlined in the bill will provide a real. tangible benefit to the seven hundred thousand individuals currently unemployed. in my. statewhether as a paycheck for those responsible for constructing these vital projects. or through increased productivity for small businesses that produce the materials needed for infrastructure projects. However. unlike other economic recovery proposals. infrastructure investment provides not only a shortterm benefit to American families. it also provides a longterm benefit in terms of sustainable and reliable infrastructure. as well as the potential for increased productivity for the Nations economy through the efficient movement of goods and services. Finally. infrastructure investment provides one of the only benefits that cannot be shipped off to foreign lands. The direct beneficiaries of domestic infrastructure projects are our towns. our local communities. our constituents.
Date: 2009-02-24
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. earlier this month. House Republicans refused. to a person. to support the economic course that President Obamas recovery plan offered. The Republican proposal is made up almost entirely of tax cuts for the wealthy and strips virtually all of the jobcreation investments. that was necessary to transform our economy for the future. Their alternative plan had no funds. for American infrastructure needs. no investment in energy efficiency. and no protection for health care. no money for police officers and teachers and no food assistance for struggling families. and offered no chance for America to come out of this recession stronger and more able to compete economically. Mr. Speaker. when are House Republicans going to realize that you can fool some of the people some of the time. but you cant fool all of the people all of the time? E 1230
Date: 2009-02-24
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of this resolution to honor -the life and accomplishments of Paul Newman. a truly great American and a man I am proud to have called my friend. Sadly. Paul passed away late last year. Paul was a magnificent human being. While he played the antihero on the silver screen. in real life he was a true hero. Like his character Cool Hand Luke. Paul Newman was not afraid to rock the boat. Paul never limited his horizonsin his acting. his advocacy. or his vision of our world. He once admonished some of his colleagues who shied away from politics. he said. "Do you abdicate the responsibilities of citizenship merely because you carry a Screen Actors Guild card . . . Or do you dig deeply and become as knowledgeable an expert as you can and speak your piece and hope your weight was being thrown on the right side?" I knew Paul before he knew me. and when our friend. Lizzie Robbins. introduced us to one another. I realized I had never met anyone like him in public life before. He was modern despite his age. he remained curious throughout his life. he had an enormous passion and steadfast commitment. He started the Hole in the Wall Gang kids camp for kids with lifethreatening diseases. and they attended the camp free of charge. He was an advocate of nuclear disarmament. early childhood development. and a healthy environment. He even helped to pioneer alternative fuel technologies to cut carbon emissions. It was an honor to be on the receiving end of his exultations. his missives. his opinion pieces for the vision that he and I shared for peace and justice for this world--even while the right wing tried to punish him in the marketplace for his willingness to speak his mind. But the right wing could never win that argument because America knew Paul Newman. and they trusted him. With Pauls enormous success in acting and business where he raised over $250 million for the charity of his Newmans Own brandand thats in addition to giving away half of his income a year.
Date: 2009-02-24
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

In giving away half his income to causes he supported. it was especially striking how humble Paul had remained throughout his life. But Paul was the first to acknowledge luck in his life. He said. "The beneficence of it." he said. "in many lives and the brutality of it in the lives of others. especially children. who might not have a lifetime to make up for it." Paul once asked what he owed his fans after all of these years. to which he humbly replied. "Thank you." And thats exactly what the world owes him. I want to thank Congressman COHEN for introducing this resolution. and I want to offer. obviously. my best wishes to Pauls familythe kids and the grandkidsand to that magnificent partner of his in a magnificent relationship. Joanne. and thank them for sharing Paul with us during his great life.
Date: 2009-02-24
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I thank Chairman TOWNS. Ranking Member ISSA. Subcommittee Chair Lynch. the manager of the resolution on the floor from Ohio. Congressman JORDAN. and I also thank the many cosponsors of this resolution. Mr. Speaker. how appropriate it is that this resolution would come to the floor of the House of Representatives on the day that the newly elected President of the United States of America would address a joint session of Congress. How appropriate it is because the newly elected President of the United States of America is a significant manifestation of how important black history is in the United States of America. It is on this day that he will address this joint session of Congress. and he is a person of African ancestry. While it is true that we should remember the horrors of history. it is equally as true that we should celebrate the successes of history. And I believe that this resolution is a means by which we can engage in the celebration of good deeds accomplished and great things done that can engender the inspiration to do that which must be done. So let us today celebrate the fact that African Americans were able to overcome involuntary servitude with the help of Americans of good will of all hues. of all colors. And because they were helped and they were able to overcome involuntary servitude. we should allow this to engender the inspiration necessary to go forward and deal with some of the problems that African Americans are confronting today. the problems of housing that finds African Americans without homes many times and. being evicted from homes on too many occasions. Lets celebrate the many successes in the area of education. from Phillis Wheatley. to many other great educators. Dr. Benjamin Mays. for example. And as we celebrate their successes. let this engender within us the inspiration to deal with the dropout rates around this country that can be in excess of 50 percent in some quarters of the African American community. 1H2616 Lets celebrate the successes in the civil rights movement that enabled us to overcome the indignation and humiliation of segregation. But as we celebrate this. let it engender within us the inspiration to help the many who are still suffering around the world. who have not had their human rights and human dignity respected by their governments. Let us celebrate the many political accomplishments that we have right here in the House of Congress. We have Member CHARLIE RANGEL. who happens to chair Ways and Means. Member BENNIE THOMPSON. African American. who happens to chair Homeland Security. Member MAXINE WATERS. African American. who happens .to chair the Housing Subcommittee of Financial Services.
Date: 2009-02-24
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

And as we celebrate the accomplishments of these great and noble Americans here in the House of Representatives. let it provide the inspiration for us to understand that we are here not because of our color. not because we are of African ancestry. we are here because the people of America expect us to do the great work that has to be done. So this is a time for celebration that engenders inspiration. and I am honored to be inspired to move forward and support this resolution. And I beg that all of my colleagues would vote for it.
Date: 2009-02-25
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentleman. I rise in support of this important piece of legislation and suggest that our good friends on the other side of the aisle are either suffering from some state of amnesia or maybe stuck in an alternative universe because its pretty clear that the American people are suffering. that we are living through the worst economic crisis in almost any of our lifetimes. I dont know that theres anybody who is a Member of this Congress today that lived through the Great Depression. but there is an unprecedented crisis that the spending and appropriations in this legislation will help address beyond the important recovery legislation that we passed last week. It is critical that we invest in the quality of public education. that we make sure that children and the frail elderly have the services that they need. that we make sure that we rebuild our infrastructure. and that we make sure that we make an important and historic commitment to improving the quality of life of all Americans. Thats what this legislation will do. and I am proud to support it.