macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2002-04-18
Speaker: JEFF MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. we are considering this legislation today because this is the right course for America and the right course for our economic future. Mr. Speaker. my colleagues across the aisle will continue to use scare tactics to say that by voting for this bill you are voting to strip seniors of their Social Security. We all know that this is simply not true. The fact of the matter is that there will be no reduction in Social Security or Medicare benefits as a result of the tax cut. Those are promises made and promises that will be honored. We owe it to our seniors to be honest about how Social Security works. similar to a bank. who takes in a depositors money. credits the amount to the depositors account. and then loans it out. In effect. what they are saying is that we are taking Treasury bills out of the trust fund to hand out as tax cuts. This is a ridiculous assertion. Social Security reform is a worthy discussion. but it is one for another day. At the same time. many will argue that we are burdening our children with huge debt by voting for this measure. I could not disagree more strongly. We constantly hear from our "tax and spend" friends that our tax cuts need to be at a level "that we can afford." That is precisely the problem. Our government has become too large and is asking too much of the American people. to the point where it depresses economic growth. We must realize that our federal budget has gotten out of control and that Washington does not always know how best to spend the taxpayers money. Since the passage of last years tax bill I have heard from many constituents that have benefited from the measure. The simple fact is that the federal government has long overcharged the American public. and now is the time to permanently change this disturbing trend. We cannot. and we should not. forgo this opportunity. Mr. Speaker. my constituents sent me here to work for less taxes. less government and more personal freedom. For the sake of all hardworking Americans. lets make these tax cuts permanent. I rise in support of this important legislation.
Date: 2002-04-23
Speaker: JEFF MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Madam Speaker. I rise today to honor the students and faculty of Pensacola Catholic High School. For 7 years. students at Pensacola Catholic High have embraced Make A Difference Day. Make A Difference Day was created by USA Weekend Magazine and is one of the most encompassing national days of helping others. a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. They have achieved the astronomical participation rate of 80 percent. They have made it their annual mission to help the elderly in Pensacola maintain their homes and to pitch in around the community. On October 27th. 2001. 450 students fanned out around Pensacola and painted four houses and an elementary school. built nine picnic tables. cleaned two neglected cemeteries. weeded a community rose garden. spruced up a homeless shelters playground. and made $1.300 at a car wash for the schools Make A Difference Day scholarship fund. The students were recognized as one of the ten national honorees by the USA Weekend Magazines Make A Difference Day. The students will receive a $10.000 Make A Difference Day award. funded by Newmans Own. and have selflessly donated it to Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida. I commend these selfless students for all they have done to the betterment of Northwest Florida.
Date: 2002-04-25
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

led the es. youth camps. and adult fellowships Pledge of Allegiance as follows: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. and to the Repub- Dr. Dixon is also a popular speaker lic for which it stands. one nation under God. for professional sports chapel proindivisible. with liberty and justice for all. grams. including those of the Cincinnati Reds. the Bengals. the former MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE Houston Oilers. and many National A message from the Senate by Mr. League ball teams. Monahan. one of its clerks. announced Dr. Dixons tenure at Cedarville has that the Senate has passed a bill of the been marked by many accomplishfollowing title in which the concur- ments. not the least of which is the inrence of the House is requested: stitutions physical growth. Under Dr. S. 2248. An act to extend the authority of Dixons exceptional leadership. enrollthe ExportImport Bank until May 31. 2002. ment has increased 140 percent. and Cedarville has enjoyed record enrollments for 23 of the 24 years he has been president. In addition. the campus has grown from less than 100 acres to more than 400 acres. He has built probably $100 million worth of new buildings on this wonderful campus. Heis a graduate of Tennessee Temple University. and holds a doctorate in education from the University of Cincinnati. InMay of 2000. he will be transitioning to the role of chancellor for Cedarville University. As Ohios Seventh District Representative to the Congress of the United States. I take this opportunity to publicly recognize Dr. Dixon for his achievements ofi behalf of Cedarville University. and his many contributions to the spiritual growth of Ohio are noteworthy. I thank him for his service to all those he serves.
Date: 2002-04-25
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. over the past 8 months. the American people have heard horror stories about the inefficiencies and inadequacies of the INS. I am afraid we have only seen the tip of the iceberg. Something has to be done. and it needs to be done now. First and foremost. we must remember that immigration to America is not a right. it is a privilege. We must ensure that our government is doing everything it can to make the system run more efficiently and protect our people. We can no longer allow people who respect our laws to fall to the back of the line while those who neglect laws fall through the cracks. The INS is one bureaucratic blunder after the next. and I fear what that means for the American people. We must be fair. and laws must be followed. In short. when it comes to the INS. those who follow the law should be rewarded. those who break the law should be deported.
Date: 2002-04-25
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

I rise today in support of H.R. 3231. the Barbara Jordan Immigration Reform & Accountability Act. The magnitude of the INS problems is extraordinaryat the end of FY2001. it had a backlog of 4.9 million applications and petitions. thus forcing aliens trying to play by the rules to wait in limbo for years. The Census Bureau estimates that at least 8 million undocumented aliens reside in the U.S. Over 300.000 criminal and deportable aliens ordered removed by immigration judges have absconded. Much of the INS failure stems from the conflict between its enforcement and service missions. Mr. Chairman. the INS is unable to adequately perform either of its missions. Rather. the agency appears to move from one crisis to the next. with no coherent strategy of how to accomplish both missions successfully. Reponding to this national security crisis. H.R. 3231 would abolish the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in favor of two new organizations that concentrate solely on different missions--one that would administer immigration benefits and one that would enforce immigration laws. This legislation promotes law and order by increasing accountability and creating a position for checks and balances between the two bureaus. This bipartisan legislation ensures that the new INS bureaus will each have the proper mission and guidelines to assist those individuals who are ready to become U.S. citizens while cracking down on illegal immigrants and enforcing immigration laws and regulations. It will work to keep the terrorists out. but provide efficient and fair service to those that play by the rules when it comes to our immigration process. Additionally. this legislation will help to secure our homeland by placing a greater focus on immigration policy and making sure everyone is playing by the rules. The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) will concentrate on improving immigration services and reducing mediation backlogs for legal immigrants. while the Bureau of Immigration Enforcement (BIE) will deny admission to those that should be kept out of the U.S. BIE will also apprehend and remove those designated for deportment along the border and in the interior. H.R. 3231 will create an Associate Attorney General in the Department of Justice who will only handle immigration affairs. The Associate Attorney General will supervise the two bureaus. resolve conflicts between them and help to hold the two bureaus accountable for their actions. The INS has reorganized itself numerous times over the past two decades. Judging from its caseload and its failure to detect and detain terrorists. internal reorganization is not working. This bill creates a clear chain of command and greater accountability. Mr. Chairman. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important national security legislation.
Date: 2002-04-25
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Chairman. let me just say I think the intention of the gentleman from California here is designed to give maximum flexibility to INS management. and I applaud that. but I think he is going about it the wrong way. First of all. the problem is in management at this point over in INS. and this amendment as I read it virtually wipes out the SES because of the safeguard that it takes away. If you are trying to recruit and retain the best in .Federal employees. why are you going to take away the right to independent review. the right of appeal. and make them basically employees at will? No one is going to leave a job in the private sector or move laterally from another agency if they are going to be subject to those restrictions. If we have a problem. let us look at the overall civil service system in that context instead of putting pieces into different agencies. It is going to become unmanageable in my judgment. So I urge my colleagues to vote against this particular amendment.
Date: 2002-04-30
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I thank the chairman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker. I am very proud of the many historically significant contribstions the Commonwealth of Virginia has offered this great Nation. Virginia has given America eight of its distinguished men to the Office of Presidency. three of whom were born in the first district that I represent. and countless other elected officials. military heroes and active citizens to the cause of freedom and democracy. Today. I rise to pay a specific tribute to the Aquia quarries of Government Island in Stafford. Virginia. for their contributions to the construction of our Nations Capitol building and the White House. among many other prominent structures. As our forefathers struggled to create a nation through a Declaration of Independence and an enduring revolution. they sought to express permanency in their newfound freedom. Led by Virginia native George Washington. America began to plan a city that would dignify the grandeur of the new United States of America. They chose the land situated geographically centered in the new Nation up the Potomac River and to the top of what was known as Jenkins Hill. a place Pierre Charles LEnfant. the citys planner called "a pedestal waiting for a monument." 7 [0 1445 I could not agree more. Our Capitol has survived over 200 years. through the War of 1812. the Civil War. and more recently. the building was a suspected target of the recent horrific terrorist attack on our country. This building has grown and matured into the great symbol of America. The freedoms that we hold so dear and recent events have only hardened my deep fondness for our Capitol and what it represents: Although little known. the north section of the north wing of the Capitol and the White House were constructed of Aquia sandstone quarried from Government Island and along the Aquia Creek in Stafford County. Virginia. another proud Virginia contribution. Stafford Countys board of supervisors. County Administrator C.M. Williams. county historian Jane Conner. and the countys citizens should be commended for making the preservation of this island a priority. Their good work will ensure that this area is preserved for future generations to explore and enjoy. I ask my colleagues to join me today in support of this resolution to honor the enduring construction of this building. the cornerstone of our democracy. and all that it represents. I would like to thank the entire Virginia delegation for .cosponsoring this House resolution commemorating the United States Capitol and the White House. highlighting their humble Virginia beginnings. Additionally. .I would like to thank the Committee on Resources chairman. the gentleman from Utah and the gentleman from West Virginia . the ranking member. and the Subcommittee on National Parks. Recreation and Public Lands for moving this important Virginia initiative. I again encourage my colleagues support.
Date: 2002-05-01
Speaker: GARY G. MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. on April 23. a terrible train accident occurred in my district in Placentia. California.. Tragically 2 people lost their lives while hundreds of others were injured. I rise today not to add commentary to the unfortunate accident. but rather to recognize the goodwill and altruism that is very much a part of America in a postSeptember 11 world. Mr. Speaker. the fire. police and ambulance services. along with the local hospitals. all reacted swiftly to the accident. There were bystanders who rushed to the scene to offer aid and comfort to those who were hurt. One of those bystanders. a convenience store owner. rushed to the scene with cases of bottled water. Another grabbed a first aid kit from her car and rushed to help. Employees from a local telephone company brought dozens of cell phones to the emergency center so people could call their loved ones. Despite the tragedy of the situation. average Americans rose to the occasion to help strangers and friends alike. Mr. Speaker. if there is anyone who wonders what makes an American an American. they need only look at the simple acts of kindness and charity that citizens everywhere engage in when something terrible happens. America is the same today as it was in the wake of September 11: It is strong and will remain so regardless of whatever hardships are thrown our way.
Date: 2002-05-01
Speaker: DAN MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. so they are going to Canada for jobs. Sugar is a third of the price in Canada than it is in the United States. So if someone is. especially in the hard candy area and uses a lot of sugar. why not move your production over into Canada. and that is exactly what is happening.
Date: 2002-05-01
Speaker: DAN MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. the gentleman is right. The cane growers are some very. very large corporations like the brothers the gentleman mentioned. The beet farmers are smaller farmers up in the Midwest and the Dakotas and such. and they really are more family farmers. but the big farms. these plantations in Florida. they also control. for example. most of the sugar in the Dominican Republic. But the Dominican Republic. and this is how crazy the program is. they sell sugar around the world for maybe 6 cents a pound. but they sell it to the United States for the United States price. which is about 20 cents a pound. Absolutely crazy. and it is still controlled by the same family that grows it in Florida. So. you know. in 1996. one of the classic. most important bills we passed was welfare reform. and I think it has been a success. We are going through the process of reauthorizing it this year. But what we are creating is a welfare program for farmers. and that is unfortunate. We want to support the small farm. we want to have the life of the farmer to continue as we have known in previous generations. but it is becoming big business. and what this bill does is just making it harder for the family farmers to survive.
Date: 2002-05-01
Speaker: DAN MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. as the gentleman was talking about the fact that we are really helping the big farmers. there are some interesting numbers that came out of the Heritage Foundation. I see today. It says. the top 10 percent of the recipients now get 73 percent of the money. That has increased from 67 percent of the money that goes under the agriculture program. The bottom 80 percent. and this is where all our family farmers are. now instead of getting 16 percent are going to get 12 percent. The money overwhelmingly goes to this top 10 percent.. which are the very. large farms. the ones that make the most money. We want to encourage the family farm and support that family farm. but all this is going to do is make it more difficult for the family farm to compete with the big giants. the agriculture giants in this country.
Date: 2002-05-01
Speaker: DAN MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. let me repeat some numbers I said just to confirm what you said about not helping small farmers. 88 percent of the money will flow to the top 20 percent. The bottom 80 percent of the recipients that receive subsidies will only get 12 percent of the money. It is overwhelmingly going to the large farmers. And really. basically. 90 percent of the money goes to wheat. corn. cotton. rice and soy beans. So it is very targeted. Obviously. to get votes they throw in the peanut program. A few billion here. a few billion for sugar. They also have added in smallchick peas. I do not know what they do with big chick peas. but small chick peas they will now be subsidized. lentils and dry peas. Well. I am really excited. We do not do a lot of small chick peas business. We get them in cans in my district. Lentils. lentils makes good soup. But why is the Federal Government getting into the subsidy business? It makes no sense to keep expanding the size and scope of the federal government. The Heritage Foundation estimates that this bill will cost entire taxes to * households -1.805. $1.805 per household is the cost to every taxpaying household in this country.
Date: 2002-05-01
Speaker: DAN MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

It is targeted. And I admire these States for having the gumption togo out and fight for it. the Dakotas and such. Florida does not benefit. But I am not saying we should get it because I am a fiscal conservative. The tomato people do not get it. The cucumber people. the bell pepper people in my district. the orange and grapefruit people. they do not get any subsidy check. This is an entitlement they are creating for the click pea people and the honey people. It is an entitlement. It is not even the discretionary appropriations process. Now there are some good things in this bill. I support agricultural research. When we look at pests that are brought into this country. that we need to find ways to solve those problems and we have that challenge in our citrus industry. But the problem we have in this bill is it is targeted to big rich farmers and to certain crops in Texas where they get cotton and rice. and Mississippi benefits from it. So for those few States that is their sugar daddy. but it is wrong.for the American taxpayer. Mr. Speaker. I commend the gentleman from Michigan for taking a leadership role in trying to let the American people know that this is bad for Congress. This is bad as a Republican and it is just bad for the tax.payers of this country. Mr. Speaker.I insert in the RECORD the following article entitled "Harrowing U.S. Taxpayers with IllDesigned Farm Bill."
Date: 2002-05-07
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. it is an honor to bring to the attention of my colleagues several distinguished teachers from the Third Congressional District of Texas. I am pleased to recognize these recipients of the Teacher of the Year Award who enable our students to understand and learn from each other. and strive to achieve their goals. Mr. Speaker. great teachers nurture our countrys best hope for tomorrow: our children. Children may be a fraction of our society. but they are 100 Matter set in thiS typeface indicates words inserted or appended. rather than spoken. by a Member of the House on the floor. percent of our future. The perseverance and dedication of our teachers challenge and shape students to dream. and to work hard to make those dreams come true. Unfortunately. educators work with little public thanks or appreciation. even though topnotch teachers are essential to a strong future. These educators in particular go beyond the call of duty and selflessly make for our children and our country a better place. It is my distinct honor to present the Third District of Texass teacher of the year. In the Allen Independent School District. Jackie Schornick and Maridee Ryan. From McKinney Independent District. Tom Flurimonte and Ms. Lisa Stout. From the Plano Independent School District. Mrs. Be Janet Tang and Ms. Diane Davey. And- from the Wylie Independent School District. Ms. Janet McMillen and Ms. Tricia Gent. As a former Air Force instructor. a father. a grandfather. and the highest ranking Texan on the Committee on Education and the Workforce. I know firsthand the importance of a quality education. However. it is outstanding teachers like these who strive for excellence. I thank the hometown heroes. the excellent educators. for all they do for our children. for America. and for our freedom. God bless them.
Date: 2002-05-07
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1590 East Joyce Boulevard in Fayetteville. Arkansas. as the "Clarence B. Craft Post Office Building."
Date: 2002-05-07
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 4486.
Date: 2002-05-07
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. H.R. 4486. introduced by the gentleman from Arkansas . designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Fayetteville. Arkansas. as the "Clarence B. Craft Post Office Building." Members of the entire House delegation from the State of Arkansas are cosponsors of this legislation. Mr. Speaker. an American hero passed away on Thursday. March 28. in Fayetteville. Arkansas. Private First Class Clarence Craft received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman for his faithful and courageous service to this country during World War II. He was 80 years old. 0i 1415 Mr. Craft went on to become a regular volunteer at the local VA hospital in Fayetteville where he logged more than 9.300 hours helping fellow veterans. He also was a dedicated member of Fayetteville American Legion Post 27 where he was an active member for over 56 years. Though we may honor Private Craft for his storied military career. Mr. Craft preferred to talk about his family whom he so dearly loved. Mr. Craft will be missed by all who knew him. and every American owes a debt of gratitude to him for his valiant service to this country. Mr. Speaker. I urge the adoption of H.R. 4486. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2002-05-07
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Arkansas . the sponsor of this legislation.
Date: 2002-05-07
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I urge my colleagues to adopt this measure to honor what we. have heard today to be a great American hero and a true patriot. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.