macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-01-13
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor Dr. Kings legacy and to commemorate this day of national service. Dr. King once said. "Everybody can be great . . . because anybody can serve. You dont have to have a college degree to serve. You dont have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full. of grace. A soul generated by love." It is that idea. that together we can make a difference. in this Nation and in the lives of others. that has prompted this day of service. I believe that the message of change resonates greatly this particular Martin Luther King Day. This past year. I have seen young people who have never before been involved in service working to change their communities. The ideals for which Dr. King gave his life have energized a new generation of peaceful activists. These young people may not have experienced the words and spirit of Dr. King during their lifetime. but his legacy drives their efforts and enthusiasm. It is a testament to his greatness that Dr. Kings message has transcended time and generations. Dr. King called on all of us to no longer stand alone in silence. but to stand up together as a voice against injustice. He inspired us to fight for change through nonviolent means. and paved the road for us to continue that fight even after his death. Dr. King left us with the challenge to courageously fight and secure the civil rights for all. from the impoverished and disenfranchised underclass to the politically and economically endowed.. And while we have made great progress. there is still work to be done. We must remain diligent and engaged in defining how our Nation will achieve this equality. Todays Martin Luther King Day is as much about the past as it is about the present and the future. Dr. Kings dream is truly timeless. and I hope all will participate in this day of service to honor his faith and vision.
Date: 2009-01-14
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I thank our Chair of our subcommittee. I rise in strong support and as a cosponsor of H.R. 2. the Childrens Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. or CHIPRA. During the 110th Congress. we made two attempts to reauthorize the SCHIP program. Unfortunately. both these bills were vetoed by the President. With 6 million American children currently eligible yet unenrolled. the passage of this bill is overdue. CHIPRA reauthorizes SCHIP through 2013 and extends SCHIP coverage to 7 million children already enrolled. but the SCHIP program covers 4 million more children. Eleven million children will be covered under SCHIP when we pass this bill. The bill includes a provision that I am proud is in there. H.R. 465. the Immigrant Childrens Health Improvement Act. which gives the States the option to cover children and pregnant women of lawfully residing children in our country. These are not illegal immigrants. They are children who go to school and go to daycare with our children and our grandchildren. Those children ought to have health care to protect our own children. CHIPRA also includes language from another bill of mine. H.R. 1238. which provides one year of emergency Medicaid coverage for children born in the U.S. and their mothers. which is crucial in protecting the health and wellness of newborns born in this country. I do have to express my disappointment that the bill did not include the provision that was included in the first SCHIP bill we passed which would guarantee that children in families earning less than 200 percent of the poverty level will have 12 months of continuous eligibility under SCHIP. The outreach and enrollment package includes an incentive for States to provide this eligibility guarantee. But for a State like mine. we need to ensure that the State of Texas does right by Texas children and doesnt use the flexibility inherent in the program to kick them off the rolls on a budgetary whim. The 175.000 Texas children who were kicked off the rolls in 2003 know all too well of the States willingness to balance the State budget on their backs. and I hoped that this bill would take away the States ability to do that in the future. However. the need to reauthorize SCHIP before the program expires on March 31st is more important than political battles. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this legislation and sending a strong message to the President that we must abandon partisan politics and reauthorize SCHIP for Americas lowincome children.
Date: 2009-01-14
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank my colleague. Madam Speaker. this is a moment of important substance and important symbolism. The substance and merits of this bill are clear. We are going to preserve health coverage for 7 million American children and expand it to another 4 million children from working families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. but do not earn enough to be able to afford the very high costs of private health insurance. Taking this bill up right now also sends a very important signal that change has come to Washington. DC as a result of the last election. President Bush twice vetoed this legislation on childrens health. We will soon have a new President. President Barack Obama. who as one ofhis first acts as President will sign this legislation. a President who understands the hardships American families are struggling under at a time when more than 2 million Americans have lost their jobs in just 2 months. The difference could not be clearer. The current President used his mighty veto pen to say "no." to veto and protect the status quo. The new President will use that pen to say "yes." to change the status quo and provide health care to 4 million new American children as we continue to protect 7million American children. That is change we can believe in.
Date: 2009-01-14
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Thank you. Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman. Dr. King. whose birthday we are about to celebrate this month. reminds us that the truest measure of the person is not where you stand in times of comfort and convenience. but rather where do you stand in times of challenge and controversy. Not where do you stand when there is no housing crisis and no unemployment problem. but where do you stand when unemployment is 7.2 percent. when you have lost 1 million jobs in the last 2 months. when you have lost 2 million jobs in the last year. Where do you stand in times of challenge and controversy. In this time of challenge and controversy. I stand with the American homeowner. who is in crisis. who needs our help. who but for this piece of legislation will not get our help. I stand with the American homeowner. because this legislation provides $40 billion to $100 billion to help homes that may go into foreclosure. In times of challenge and controversy. I stand with the homeowner. And I also stand for something else. I stand for having the TARP money be made accountable for. This piece of legislation deals with accountability. People want to know how their money has been spent. This legislation helps us to better understand how the TARP money has impacted new lending. The LaTourette amendment that passed this House overwhelmingly in the last session. the last time we met and had this bill before the House. that amendment is something that has been incorporated in this bill. So. Mr. Chairman. I thank you for a stellar job. a job well done. and in times of challenge and controversy. I stand with you. Mr. Chairman.
Date: 2009-01-14
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

First of all. let me thank you. Mr. Chairman. for your leadership on this area. I voted for the TARP bill. and Ive got to tell you Ive been very disappointed in many areas. whether were talking about student loans. the fact that thousands of people are losing their homes through foreclosure. or whether the automobile industry. they cant get money to buy a car. And so I want to know what safeguards do we have in this bill to make sure that the banks will do what we intended them to do. The Europeans did the same thing. They used their money to stimulate the economy. but yet. for every dollar they got. they had to lend it out.
Date: 2009-01-14
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

My second question regarding the reappraisal of real estate collateral that has affected the home builders in our country. I have an amendment in front of the Rules Committee which will permit lenders to extend or modify loan terms for home builders. so that they could continue to pay interest. without forcing them to pay large sums of principal during this economic crisis. I understand this issue is not covered by the bill. What assurances do we have that we will address this issue in the future?
Date: 2009-01-15
Speaker: PATRICK J. MURPHY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Penn

sylvania. Mr. Chairman. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman. last fall we had to take emergency action to try and stop the falling stock market and weakening credit markets. But I was not pleased when it took a subpoena threat to force financial institutions to release program details about the TARP. the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Mr. Chairman. most folks in America are not aware. but the Federal Reserve. shortly before Thanksgiving. announced a half a trillion dollar effort to purchase MBS. MortgageBacked Securities. and contracted with four outside investment firms to manage it. With another $500 billion. half a trillion dollars at stake. Mr. Chairman. we cannot let or allow history to repeat itself. fl 1300 We demand the details of the Feds MBS program. and it is our duty to demand the information about how the Federal Reserve will run this program. For example. the Fed has refused to make clear details about how they chose the four firms and who will manage the purchases. They have refused to share how much those firms are getting paid. And it is still unclear what steps have been taken to ensure strict conflict of interest provisions are put in place so that these four firms are not given an unfair market advantage because of their role in the mortgage backed securities program. Despite half a trillion dollars at stake. Mr. Chairman. there are still too many things we do not know. Mr. Chairman. my amendment is simple. It will force the Fed to do three things. First. it will force the Federal Reserve to disclose the details of the request process used to select the investment managers. Second. it would force the Fed to disclose the details of the contracts reached with these four investment managers. including price. And. third. it will force the Fed to disclose the steps that each investment manager has taken to ensure that the program is free of conflicts of interest or an unfair advantage. Despite many requests from my office and news organizations. we have been unable to get the information relating to these contracts. With $500 billion and the public trust at stake. this information is not too much to ask or an undue burden on the Federal Reserve. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment. Mr. Chairman. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2009-01-15
Speaker: PATRICK J. MURPHY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Penn

sylvania. Mr. Chairman. I appreciate any colleague from New Jerseys support of our bill and the effort for transparency and accountability. At this time. Mr. Chairman. I would like to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts .
Date: 2009-01-15
Speaker: ZOE LOFGREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Chairman. I rise to make a very happy announcement. Our colleague. Congressman BRAD SHERMAN. and his wife. Lisa. had their first child last nighta beautiful baby girl. Molly Hannah Sherman is 7 pounds. 15.6 ounces. I am pleased to report that mother and baby are doing splendidly and that the father is expected to recover.
Date: 2009-01-15
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

without any fanfare. in late December. in a cold. driving rain. drove to Wilmington. DE. stood outside a memorial service at a Catholic Church for my deceased wife and daughter. soaking wet in that cold rain. and never once came to see me. just to show his respect. and then got back in the automobile and drove back to Washington. DC. This is a remarkable place. gentlemen and ladies. And as I healed. this place became my second family. more than I suspect it is for most. I needed it. and for that I will be forever gratefulforever grateful. So to the people of Delaware. who have given me the honor of serving them. there is no way I can ever express to them how much this meant to me. To my staff. past and present. and all those on the floor. past and present. dedicated to making this institution run. including the young pages. wideeyed and hopefully going home and wanting to come back * someday in our spots. thank you for everything you have done for me. I suspect you have done for me more than you have done for most. To my children. Hunter and Ashley and Beau. if I was nothing else. I would be content to be the father of such wonderful people. To my grandchildren. who constantly remind me why the decisions we make in this August body are so important. and to my Jill. you once saved my life. and you are my life today. I thank all of you. I thank all my colleagues for making my Senate service possible and this next chapter in my career in life so hopeful. I came here to fight for civil rights. In my office now sits that grand conference table that once was used to fight against civil rights. and I leave here today to begin my service to our Nations first AfricanAmerican President. The arc of the universe is long. but it does indeed bend toward justice. and the Senate of the United States has been an incredible instrument in assuring that justice. So although you have not seen the last of me. I say for the last time. and with confidence in all of you. optimism -in our future. and a heart with more gratitude than I can express. I yield the floor.
Date: 2009-01-15
Speaker: COST SHARE (democrat)
Chamber: S

(1) IN GENERAL.-The Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as "Secretary"). in consultation and cooperation with the City of San Diego and the Sweetwater Authority. is authorized to undertake a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a four reservoir intertie system to improve water storage opportunities. water supply reliability. and water yield of the existing nonFederal water storage system. The feasibility study shall document the Sebretarys engineering. environmental. and economic investigation of the proposed reservoir and intertie project taking into consideration the range of potential solutions and the circumstances and needs of the area to be served by the proposed reservoir and intertie project. the potential benefits to the people of that service area. and improved operations of the proposed reservoir and intertie system. The Secretary shall indicate in the feasibility report required under paragraph (4) whether the proposed reservoir and intertie project is recommended for construction. (2) FEDERAL COST SHARE.-The Federal share of the costs of the feasibility study shall not exceed 50 percent of the total study costs. The Secretary may accept as part of the nonFederal cost share. any contribution of such inkind services by the City of San Diego and the Sweetwater Authority that the Secretary determines will contribute toward the conduct and completion of the study. (3) COOPERATION.-The Secretary shall consult and cooperate with appropriate State. regional. and local authorities in implementing this subsection. (4) FEASIBILITY REPORT.-The Secretary shall submit to Congress a feasibility report for the project the Secretary recommends. and to seek. as the Secretary deems appropriate. specific authority to develop and construct any recommended project. This report shall include(A) good faith letters of intent by the City of San Diego and the Sweetwater Authority and its nonFederal partners to indicate that they have committed to share the allocated costs as determinpd by the Secretary. and (B) a schedule identifying the annual operation. maintenance. and replacement costs that should be allocated to the City of San Diego and the Sweetwater Authority. as well as the current and expected financial capability to pay operation. maintenance. and replacement costs.
Date: 2009-01-21
Speaker: JOHN LEWIS (democrat)
Chamber: H

for introducing again this bipartisan House Resolution that calls upon all Americans on this occasion "to advance the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr." I also acknowledge the many colleagues of the Judiciary Committee on both sides of the aisle that have joined us in supporting this resolution. in particular. the ranking member from Texas. our friend. Mr. SMITH. For over 40 years now. we have commemorated the life and work of the Nations greatest civil rights leader. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Since 1986. we have recognized Dr. King with a Federal holiday in his honor. a holiday that I and others here have worked so hard to achieve. Last year. we paid tribute to Dr. King upon the 40th anniversary of his assassination. Today. we once again celebrate Dr. King on the event of his birthday. On these anniversaries. the Congress has called upon the Nations citizens to practice justice. equality. and peace in all aspects of his life. the very principles that Dr. King stood for. Today. we make the same request of not just our colleagues. but of our citizens. recognizing that today is very different. We advance Dr. Kings legacy by realizing that some of Dr. Kings dream has been achieved. Just yesterday. our Nation witnessed the first African American in history to take the oath of office for President of the United States. Our 44th President. President Obama. is a testament to Dr. Kings pursuit and struggle for equality. And in his short life. Dr. King laid the foundation for a society that would guarantee that all men are created equal. It is on the shoulders of Dr. King and Rosa Parks and Andrew Young and Harry Belafonte. all close colleagues of Dr. King. who were in the forefront of the civil rights movement. And that is why we stand here today. witnesses to history. with our first African American President. President Obama spoke movingly yesterday when he asked that we mark his inauguration in remembrance of who we are and how far we have traveled. why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across the magnificent Mall. and why a man whose father. less than 60 years ago. might not have been served at a local restaurant. can now stand before you to take the most sacred oath that was given to him yesterday. In celebrating the great legacy of Dr. Kings work. we must recognize that his legacy does not end here. Continuing his mission of justice means bringing an end to racial and economic injustices. like those we have seen in so many aspects of the current financial and fiscal crisis that we are confronted with. Advancing his mission of equality means eliminating the disparities that exist in so many aspects of our society. health care. housing. education. employment. And so pursuing his mission of peace means bringing an end to the wars that still persist and allowing our Nation to be an example of a peaceful democracy. Madam Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2009-01-21
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. I thank the gentleman. Madam Speaker. I rise in strong support of House Resolution 56 and support the goals of National School Counseling Week. I want to thank Chairman GEORGE MILLER and Ranking Member BUCK McKEON. as well as Representative VERNON EHLERS. for their support of this very important resolution. This resolution aims to highlight the very important work that school counselors do in our schools every single day. The best counselors inspire young people to dream big. They help young people get on the road to accomplish their dreams. And. when necessary. they enlist the support of parents. teachers. mentors. tutors. and anyone else that it takes in order to keep our children moving along that path to accomplishment. As I know from visiting schools in my district. counselors--though there are far too few of themplay a critical role in student success. Unlike teachers. who often only get to know students one semester or year at a time. counselors follow students throughout their many years at an elementary. middle or high school. They are adept at spotting longterm trends in student progress or behavior and arranging the appropriate intervention or enrichment. They.. assist teachers in developing instructional and behavioral programs tailored to meet the individual and unique needs of a particular student. I want to recognize all the dedicated counselors from my district who accomplish amazing things every day that they go to work. Lisa Torres from Cleveland Elementary and Brian Kamper of Artesia High School are just two of the many exceptional counselors that I have heard of. Lisa and Brian help their students to believe in themselves and achieve their goals. and their reputations are well known. Parents are rightly proud of these counselors and secure in the knowledge that Lisa and Brian are looking out for their childrens academic achievement as well as their emotional wellbeing. I want to applaud the work of all those like Lisa and Brian. who are an integral part of the education team. I also hope that this year. as Congress continues to address No Child Left Behind and the role of our Federal Government in our local schools. that we can find a way to encourage schools to invest in counseling. The nationwide average studenttocounselor ratio of 475to1 is simply inadequate to provide students. teachers. and parents with the counseling services that they need. Just think of all the students who are considering dropping out who need extra help from a literacy coach or who dont think that they can pay for college who could be reached if we simply had the counselors in those schools dedicated to those students. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Date: 2009-01-21
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. as a proud University of Florida alumna who bleeds orange and blue. I am delighted to be an original cosponsor of H. Res. 58. Commending the University of Florida Gators for winning the 2008 Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game. The University of Florida Gators football team squarely defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 2414. This tremendous victory is nothing but extraordinary on all counts. The Gators win over Oklahoma was the third football national title for the University of Florida and the second in the past three seasons. This victory makes the University of Florida the fourth school in the modem era to win two outright national collegiate athletics title in three years. Additionally. Gators quarterback Tim Tebow was named the games Most Valuable Player. with 340 yards of total offense. the thirdbest passrush total in a BCS Championship game. While this victory is among the many reasons to be proud of the University of Florida. I am most proud of that the excellence of its academic. athletic. and research programs is beyond compare. It is both a premier public research university and a top contender in the athletic arena. With so much to be proud of. it is no wonder that the Gator nation includes millions of people from all over the worldstudents. alumni. faculty. staff. administrators. sports fans. and anyone who shares the values and spirit of the University of Florida. It goes without saying that the Gator nation has continued to make its mark and make her alumni and the Gator family proud.