macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1981-01-27
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. recently. the Legislature of the Virgin Islands chose a very capable leader as president. It is not remarkable that Ruby M. Rouss was chosen for the foremost position in the legislature. She has demonstrated her leadership capabilities in years of public service. Her impeccable character and her strong sense of stewardship. as well as her insights into the problems of the Virgin Islands make her the logical choice for the job as president of our legislature. What is remarkable about the election of Ruby M. Rouss to this post. is that she is the first black woman ever elected to preside over the legislative body of any State or territory of the United States. Ruby Rouss is a close friend of mine and I share with my fellow citizens a great sense of pride that Ruby has earned that very special place in American history. But. most of all. I am proud to represent a constituency that recognizes the quality of leadership and places the best leaders in office. without regard for race or sex. Mr. Speaker. I have a copy of an editorial published in the Daily News of the Virgin Islands which pays tribute to Ruby Rouss with far better words than mine. I include it in the RECORD: - A SPECIAL OccAsIoN Last Mondays swearing in of Ruby M. Rouss as president of the 14th Legislature was a very special occasion. Special because the opening session of every Legislature is a big event in the Virgin Islands. But this occasion had that something extra. Rouss is the first black woman ever elected to preside over a legislative body in any state or territory under the United States flag. Of that. we are all proud. It became a joyously emotional occasion when Rouss shed a few tears during her acceptance speech. It was a moment of warmth and togetherness as everyone in the crowded room shared in her accomplishment. Finally. we were particularly impressed with her acceptance speech. Certainly. words do not make deeds. But intentions backed by an Iron will can accomplish wonders. Listen to these words from the new president of the Legislature: "I further pledge my best efforts . . . to uphold the simple virtues of honesty and integrity. We cannot allow our people. particularly our youths. to continue being cynical about the government and its leaders. ". . . there are those (in government) who abuse their trust and shirk their legal responsibility by evading the clearcut requirements of law. Others invite disrespect for government by brazenly diverting public funds or property for their own personal benefit. ". . . we will ferret out the wrongdoers . . . by going to court if necessary. to uphold the law. We will focus attention on waste. mismanagement and misuse of government funds as has never been done before." It is obvious that Ruby M. Rouss has a good grasp of the problems facing the islands. problems brought about because of irresponsible government. We are encouraged by her remarks. The people of the Virgin Islands will be keeping a close watch to determine if actions do indeed follow words.
Date: 1981-01-27
Speaker: WON PAT (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I want to add my voice to that of my colleagues and the millions of our fellow citizens who feel such joy at the return of our 52 hostages from Iran. I know I speak for all of the 106.000 residents of Guam when I say that "it is just great to have you back." Perhaps the fact that we the people of Guam were once held hostage ourselves for 3 long years while our island was occupied by the enemy during World War II gives us a special appreciation for how youour former hostagesmust feel as you once again savor the essence of freedom. I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to President Carter. Secretary Muskie. Under Secretary Cristopher. and the Algerian and German leadership for their steadfastness and perseverance through the final stages of this long and tortuous crisis. We may not.all be equally satisfied with all of the contents of the final negotiated agreement but it is my feeling that we should learn to live with it. The United States of America gave its word. We have learned a hard lesson from this tragic event and let us hope it will never happen again.
Date: 1981-01-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Madam President. reserving the right to object. and I shall not object. I wish to state that this matter has been cleared with Mr. EAGLETON. the ranking member of the committee on this side.
Date: 1981-01-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Madam President. for 14 months we have waited for our Americans in Iran to be returned. Our hopes and prayers and thoughts have been with our captive citizens. We have waited too long for this day. Our joy is simple relief: They are free. they are home at last. The reception awaiting the returned Americans is a bit overwhelming. The American people clearly consider the former hostages worthy of honor. And with good reason. We are not a nation of nobles and commoners. but a couchxy of Americans. When 52 of us werr. imprisoned. part of us. part of Anerica was held by terrorists. When evil iL done it is not the victim but the doer cf the wrong who debases himself. The cruel Iranian terrorists are the losers. And those who suffered and persevered are those with human dignity. The simple things in life are the most important and the most profound. And today the simple fact that these Americans have come home touches us deeply. They have endured pain. they have kept their faith in loneliness. and they have paid a price for being citizens of the United States. Freedom is not a gift. it must be earned every day. These Americans have reminded us of that basic truth. Despite the difficulties they have endured. we welcome them with enormous joy. They make all of us proud to be Americans.
Date: 1981-01-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.
Date: 1981-01-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. may I say to the distinguished majority leader the bill has been cleared on this side. I have several Senators who are supporting the bill and. at the appropriate time. I would like to ask unanimous consent that statements by Mr. INOUYE and Mr. SASSER be printed in the RECORD.
Date: 1981-01-27
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I am unable at this hour to ascertain whether any member on my side of the aisle wishes to have a rollcall vote on the nomination. I believe the last time I tasted with Mr. PROXMIRE he indicated that. he wanted to have a rollcall vote on any Cabinetlevel nominee as well as the Cabinet nominees. I will talk with him over the night. and by tomorrow I should be able to let the majority leader know whether or not I have any problem on this side of the aisle. This would give him time to inform his colleagues on his side of the aisle as to what the prospects are.
Date: 1981-01-28
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. last week we lost a great Texan. and a great American. Olin E. "Tiger" Teague. Tiger Teague led a long and distinguished career in the service to his country. a highly distinguished combat veteran of World War II. and as a Member of Congress from 1946 to 1973. In Congress. Tiger Teague distinguished himself for his service to his constituents in the Sixth District of Texas and for his work on behalf of all veterans of our countrys Armed Forces. As a member of the Veterans Committee. and as chairman from 1963 to 1973. Tiger Teague oversaw and was responsible for many of the veterans benefits which we take for granted today. the GI bill of rights which provided an education to untold numbers of veterans. the War Orphans Act. which provided college educations for the children of those who died in service to their country. and for a medical system to take care of their health needs. I know of no other country which provides as much for its veterans. and we owe much of it to this one man. As much as he was concerned by the needs of our veterans. Tiger Teague also had other interests. In 1973. lie took over the chairmanship of the Science and Aeronautics Committee. a strong believer in our Nations space program. While many scoffed at the idea of spending money to send people into space. thanks to the foresight of men like Tiger Teague. all of us now benefit in an untold number of ways from the by products of the research conducted for space exploration. It was a great privilege to have known and been able to work with Tiger Teague. a great soldier and a great statesman. Our society is richer and our country stronger thanks to Olin Teagues great dedication to public servide.e
Date: 1981-01-29
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I join with the majority leader In expressing our thanks to Dr. Elson for the servIce he has performed. for the dedication he has shown. and for the devotion to the Senate and to duty he has so well demonstrated. He has known our sorrows and he has shared in our happiness and he has served with us. He has prayed for us. he has prayed with us. And he has set a fine example of a Chaplain of the U.S. Senate. le has been thoroughly dependable and we have learned. long ago. to count on Dr. Elson as being the epitome of dependability. Tennyson said we are a part of all that we have met. we are all somewhat the better If we have had the opportunity to work with and to serve with the Reverend Dr. Elson. In closing. I think that I would probably be justified in presuming to say that I can speak for all of my colleagues when I say to Dr. Elson that we hope that he will return. that he will be back with us from time to time. and that we will continue to be in his prayers. To his lovely wife. we also express the hope that we shall get to see her from time to time and that life for both Dr. Elson and Mrs. Elson will be even more beautiful and more rewarding as the days come and go. I think of Alexander Popes words as we bid this formal farewell to*Dr. Elson: Thou wert my guide. philosopher. and friend. Mr. President. how much time do I have remaining?
Date: 1981-01-29
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I yield 3 minutes to the Senator from Alabama and the remainder of my time to the majority leader.
Date: 1981-01-29
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Will the Senator be willing to obtain that order now. so that Senators may know that they will be able to proceed with such statements. if the majority leader has no reason not to make such a request?
Date: 1981-01-29
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. I say to the distinguished majority leader that I am attempting to inquire on my side of the aisle as to whether or not there is any objection to proceeding with the nomination of Mr. Trent and. in accordance with the majority leaders wishes. also inquire as to whether or not any Senator seeks a rolleall vote on that nomination. if it is proceeded with today. The majority leader may wish to qualify his request at the moment to allow him to proceedif the matter is clearedwith that nomination before morning business begins. I will have a response for him soon on -ay side.
Date: 1981-01-29
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. within the last couple of days. both President Reagan and Secretary of State Haig have addressed the issue of international terrorism. They have addressed It forcefully and have given it the solid attention and consideration which it deserves. During the ceremony honoring the return of the hostages. President Reagan said. "Let terrorists be aware that when the rules of international behavior are violated. our policy will be one of swift and effective retribution." And yesterday. during his press conference. Secretary Haig was quoted as indicating that in terms of priorities. "International terrorism will take the place of human rights...." I think it is clear that these stern warnings and comments are in keeping with the mood of the country and are designed to convey the mood to the world at large. In a sense. we have declared war on international terrorism. just as the previous administration. in a similar sense. declared war on human rights violations. In these "times that try mens souls." both declarations are needed. In the best traditions of hoping to fashion a bipartisan foreign policy. I join in supporting the President and the Secretary of State in their determination to focus attention on the terrorist issue and to balance the national concern on it with the equally justifiable national concern about human rights violations. Obviously. we need to look at both sides of the coin.
Date: 1981-01-29
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. could the majority leader place a specific time for the report to be available on Monday?
Date: 1981-01-29
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I say to the distinguished Senator that the Democratic cloakroom has contacted the offices of all Senators on our side. There is no objection to proceeding with the two nominations in question and to confirming the nominations by voice vote. and it probably will take only a minute to do this.
Date: 1981-01-29
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

The Senator sitting in the Chair is a very nice man indeed. He is one of the finest of gentlemen. a great Senator. and my friend. but I will say it is his turn to sit in the chair.
Date: 1981-01-29
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. and I shall not object. the resolution by Mr. STEVENS provides as follows. as I understand it: First. Severance pay would be calculated based on the rate the individual was paid on November 1. 1980. or the next earlier date the employee was on the padroll. This will avoid the possible abuse of employees being given big pay increases after the election and the severance pay being calculated on those rates. Second. All eligible employees must have served at least 6 months (183 days) in the Senate during calendar 1980. Under the current resolution. the requirement does not extend to all emPloyees to be covered. Third. The third change provides that no severance pay shall be paid to an employee who immediately secured another Federal position. Those employees who were employed for a period. for example 20 days. would receive a pro rata share of the 30 day maximum. that is 20 days severance pay. Fourth. The one new provision is a cutoff date of April 1. 1981. The changes proposed by Senator STLVENS. as I understand them. will reduce the cost and concentrate the severance pay on those who need it the mostin other words. the unemployed. Am I correct?
Date: 1981-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I yield now to the Senator from Mississippi. including the time yielded to me by the majority leader.
Date: 1981-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I take this time to Inquire of the distinguished majority leader as to what the program will be for the rest of the day and for the rest of the week. it he Is able to tell us.
Date: 1981-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

It the Senate has not completed action on the debt limit extension by the close of business on Friday. Is It the Intention of the distinguished majority lesder to have the Senate in on Saturday or Monday or would the Senate go over until the following Monday?
Date: 1981-02-03
Speaker: M OYNIHAN (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. almost from the moment the United Nations was created. Americans have disagreed over how we should conduct ourselves In that organization. Its affairs have always been of the most intense Interest to us. not merely because of the large American role in creating the U.N.. but because it embodied a great deal that the United States hoped to achieve in the* world. Onlyof late. with the appearance of a majority in the General Assembly that seemed hostile to democratic. principles. have some of us tried to shrug off the U.N. as a peripheral arena of world politics. This has not been My View. and for the current number Of Commentary magazine I have written an analysis of the Ideas that have for tile past 4 years held away over American policy at the U.N. It Is more than a discussion of ideas. however. It records their consequences as well. Unfortunately. the record Is not a happy one. In this period. the hostility to American purposes that we had seen before In the General Assembly became Increasingly powerful In the Security Council as wellin other words. In the body that matters within the U.N. This happened in large measure owing to American acquiescence. with the result that the Security Council Itself became the Instrument for an assault on the principal achievement of President Carters foreign policythe Camp David peace treaties. This piece treats past policy. but it looks to the future as well. for the United States has now to deal withthe United Nations as we find It. We must deal with the burden of a series of resolutions that coine close to denying the legitimacy of Israel as a state. they represent. at the same time. a Major obstacle to the American pursuit of peace In the Middle East. To dismantle the Indictment of Israel. and to retake the initiative in pursuit of peace will require the most disciplined and patient diplomacy. I ask unanimous consent that this article. "Joining the Jackals: The U.S. at the U.N.. 19771980.." be printed in the RECORDl.
Date: 1981-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. and. I will not object. Mr. HEFLIN has discussed this request with me. and there is no objection.
Date: 1981-02-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I move to lay Mr. BAKER. Mr. President. I move to that motion on the table. reconsider the vote by which the resoThe motion to lay on the table was lution was agreed to. agreed to. Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. I move to lay
Date: 1981-02-04
Speaker: DAN BRADLEY (democrat)
Chamber: H

Legal Services Corporation. Washington. D.C DEAR MR. BRADLEY: Enclosed are two memoranda written by Alan W. Houseman. Director of the Research Institute of the Legal Services Corporation. These memoranda. written on Legal Services Corporation letterhead. clearly detail the lobbying and political activities which have been and will be carried out by the Corporation. its employees. and grantees in an effort to influence legislation reauthorizing the Legal Services Corporation that the 97th Congress will consider. I am hereby requesting copies of all memoranda drafted by the Legal Services Corporation staff which concern legislative and/or political activities. Additionallly. I am requesting that the lobbying and political activities that were enumerated in the memoranda of December 10th and December 20th be Immediately terminated. Additionally. an investigation should be conducted to determine whether further administrative action needs to be taken against any of the employees Involved which. according to the December 10th memorandum. could be quite extensive. I will be looking forward to your prompt attention to this matter and to your early reply. Sincerely.
Date: 1981-02-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I thank the distinguished majority leader. Mr. President. I would be happy If the Senator would yield me some of his time. I want to yield it to Mr. PaoxasntE.
Date: 1981-02-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I thank the majority leader. Mr. President. I yield such time as he may require to Mr. PRtOXMIRE.
Date: 1981-02-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

subsequently said:. Mr. President. I rise to join the distinguished senior Senator from Wisconsin (Mr. PitoxmIREs) In. his remarks. It Is commendable for the Appproprlations Committee. under the chairmanship of the able and distinguished senior Senator from Oregon to have conducted such thorough and farreaching oversight hearings. Undoubtedly. these hearings will be helpful In settng the stage for the work of the Appropriations Committee this session. I am impressed that so many of the new members of the committee tcok the time to partcipate in the hearings. I commend the content of the hearings to all of the Members of the Senate and their staffs wb. have a desire to stay abreast of the constantly shifting economy.
Date: 1981-02-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. the numerous witnesses that appeared before the Appropriations CommitteeTreasury Secretary Regan. OMB Director Stockman. Federal Reserve Chairman Volcker. and CBO Director Rivlin. among others--agreed that tax cuts must go hand in hand with budget puts. Subsequent witnesses sounded a note of caution. however. Budget reductions of the magnitude required to offset a tax reduction are diffiult to achieve. Tax reductions. however. tend to be easy to enact. The great danger Is that Congress will be stampeded into cutting taxes too much and too fast and "Just bet somehow It will all work out." Maybe it will not. Economist Otto Eckstein predicted that if the Congress votes a more realistic defense budget. enacts a capital formation tax reduction.- and then piles a KempRoth tax cut on top of all that. the deficit would be between $100 and $115 billion in fiscal 1983. The scenario wouldin the words of Federal Reserve Chairman Volckercause us to be "swamped by Inflation and high interest rates."
Date: 1981-02-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. there are two orders for the recognition of Mr. CRANSTO20 and Mr. MATSUNAGA. I ask unanimous consent that that time be vitiated and placed under my control.
Date: 1981-02-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I suggest the absence of a quorum and ask that the time be charged against the time under my control.
Date: 1981-02-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I ask unanimous consent that I1 may reserve the remainder of my time. I believe I have about 10 minutes remaining.
Date: 1981-02-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I wonder if we could have a chance to get the word out so If there Is a request for a rollcall vote-
Date: 1981-02-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I believe I reserved my right to object. I certainly have no objection to that and I just want to make sure that we were going to give adequate notice to our respective sides with respect to a roilcall vote. I have no objection.
Date: 1981-02-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Reserving the right to object. Mr. President. I do so only to thank the majority leader for making this request. There is a Member on my side who had to leave the office. I understand. because of an emergency and he will not be. back until 1: 30 p.m. today. So I appreciate having that time set. I have no objection. Mr. President.
Date: 1981-02-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. there will he no objection on this side to proceeding to the bill. This side will not ask that the Senate go over to a new legislative day in this instance. It is the desire to proceed with the action on the debt limit extension. and therefore. there Is no objection to that.