macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1982-11-30
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. It is with great respect that I rise to pay tribute to our colleague. West Virginia Representative ROBERT MOLLOIAN. who is retiring at the end of this Congress. It will be difficult for those of us present at the convening of the 98th Congress to accept the fact that our colleague will not be among those taking the oath again. As this gentleman concludes his distinguished and illustrious career he leaves behind him a proud record of service to the people of his State as well as the Nation. His ability and steadfastness as well as his keen knowledge of the legislative process will be sorely missed not to mention his guidance and friendship. With ROBERT MOLLOHAN go my good wishes for all the best the future holds.e
Date: 1982-12-01
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Madam President. during yesterdays session I introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 128. relating to this Nations monetary policy. for myself and 40 of my colleagues. The names of those cosponsors were inadvertently omitted would now like to include the names of those Senators who have cosponsored this resolution with me: Senators BAucus. BENTSEN. BIDEN. BOREN.
Date: 1982-12-02
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: 1982-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I would expect that my colleagues are familiar with the report which appeared in this mornings press concerning the involvement of the Brazilian Ambassadors adopted son in a shooting in a Washington. D.C. bar. or in the area of a bar. this past Monday night. According to the District of Columbia police. Antonio Francisco da Sil. veira. Jr.. the adopted son of Brazils Ambassador to the United States. was asked to leave the bar for disorderly conduct. at which point he reportedly shot an employee of the bar. The victim of the shooting is in the hospital. recovering from at least three gunshot wounds. The assailant was arrested by the District of Columbia police. but he was soon released. and charges against him were dismissed because. under the provisions of international law. he "enjoys" absolute diplomatic immunity from being prosecuted for any crimes he commits while he is in this country. No Senator can do this. Mr. President. A Senator can be arrested for speeding if he is not on his way to a session or leaving a session to go back home. He can certainly be arrested for a felony. I think the provisions of the Vienna Convention notwithstanding. this is a tough position to defend or explain to the people of this country. At a time when our citizens are concerned about the intolerable level of violent crime in our society. it seems inconceivable that a violent act of this naturesuppose the person who was shot should die. What then? Can the person be arrested? Can he be put in jail? Can he be sent to the penitentiary through due process? Can he be deported? What can be done?
Date: 1982-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I do not recall the age of the son. Mr. President. but he certainly had no business carrying a gun. no matter what the age.
Date: 1982-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I thank the distinguished acting Republican leader. As I said. in a time when our citizens are concerned about the intolerable level of violent crime in our society. it seems inconceivable that a violent act of this nature will go unpunished merely because the offender is the relative of a foreign dignitary. If this can happen. they can come in. they can burn down our houses if they want to. they can shoot us on our streets. they can mug us. they can rob us. they can rape. they can murder. and they cannot be arrested. We have to make clear to the Brazilian Government in the strongest possible terms that this kind of conduct certainly cannot be tolerated in this country. What about our own citizens in foreign countries? I am sure we have Americans languishing in foreign jails right now. having been charged with crimes. in some jails. perhaps. without being charged with crimes. I do not know. At a minimum. Brazil should either waive their diplomatic immunity in this case. or require the immediate return to Brazil of young da Silveira. To do any less would be an affront to the people of this country. It should also be in the best interests of Brazil to offer reparations for any and all damages which were caused. Finally. Mr. President. I believe it is incumbent upon our own Government to aggressively seek these results. I know nothing about the argument that ensued. I know nothing about who was in the right or who in the wrong. But it seems inconceivable to me that the relative of a diplomat can carry a gun in this country and shoot an American citizen and cannot be arrested. cannot be brought to trial. can just be turned loose on the streets. Mr. President. I intend to pursue this further. I hope I shall have the support of the majority leader and others on that side of the aisle. This is an intolerable situation.
Date: 1982-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. if something is not done to redress this kind of incident. is it not possible for relatives of foreign diplomats to come to this country and commit acts of violence against the leaders of our Government? Suppose they commit terrorist activities. Do they have immunity from arrest? I think we have to have a clarification of this. I for one intend to puriue it. and I hope that we would. as I say. have the assistance of our own Government in aggressively seeking these results. Article 37 of the.excerpts from the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Immunity states as follows: The members of the family of a diplomatic agent forming part of his household shall. If they are not nationals of the receiving State. enjoy the privileges and immunities specified in Articles 29 to 36. All articles 29 to 36 are not before me. but article 29 reads as follows: The person of a diplomatic agent Is inviolable. He shall not be liable to any form of arrest or detention. Article 31 states: A diplomatic agent shall enjoy immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the receivIng State. Article 32 states: The immunity from jurisdiction of diplomatic agents and of persons enjoying immunity under Article 37 may be waived by the sending State. It seems to me that when we entered into that Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Immunity. articles of which said that "members of the family of a diplomatic agent forming part of his household shall. if they are not nationals of the receiving State. enjoy the privileges and immunity specified in articles 29 and 36." one of which is "the person of a diplomatic agent is inviolable. He shall not be liable to any form of arrest or detention." we should have had our heads examined right then and there.
Date: 1982-12-02
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. on behalf of Mr. RANDOLPH. I ask unanimous consent that S. 2925. the performing arts labor relations amendments. be star printed showing the corrected language of the bill inasmuch as. unfortunately. it appears that portions of the text were inadvertently omitted.
Date: 1982-12-02
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentleman from Illinois. the distinguished minority leader. for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the distinguished majority leader: I understand that on next Thursday the Rules Committee will take up the regulatory reform measure. If a rule comes out on that measure next Thursday. is there a possibility or probability that that bill could come up the beginning of the following week?
Date: 1982-12-02
Speaker: W EAVER (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentleman from New York. Mr. Speaker. there were extensive questions asked in hearings in the Interior Committee on this issue. I personally asked many. Other Members askcd many questions of the various governmental and industry witnesses. and the Interior Committee. the legislative committee with jurisdiction over the NRC. deliberated this issue in committee and passed favorably this amendment in another bill.
Date: 1982-12-02
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I hasten to add my praise and heartfelt thanks to our dear friend. JACK BRINKLEY. for the magnificent contribution he has made to this Congress and the Nation. It has been my distinct privilege to serve with JACK BRINKLEY on the House Veterans Affairs Committee where he has demonstrated a concern for the Nations veterans unmatched in its intensity and commitment. Over the years we have worked together on a number of key legislative items affecting the welfare of Americas veteran population. I am going to miss his advice and good counsel on the committee. but more important. millions of our veterans will miss his service to their cause. JACK BRINKLEY represents a great area of this country. His constitutents. like JACK. are very patriotic and have an abiding love of our leloved country. In the great tradition of men like Carl Vinson and Richard Russell. it is good to know that one of their fellow Georgians. JACK BRINKLEY. can fill their shoes as a successful defender and promoter of an adequate national defense. Many of us in this House have been afforded the honor of visiting Fort Benning. a legendary Army installation vital to the Nations defense. and located In JACKS district. In fact. I feel certain that there are many in this body who "put in some time" at Fort Benning long before coming to the House. Some of the most outstanding American military leaders of this century are vitally linked to Fort Benning. JACK BRINKLEY is a main reason why Fort Benning continues to be a testing and training ground for our best combatready troops. JACK BRINKLEY has made many friends in this body. His quiet and unassuming manner. perception and understanding the issues. and a keen wit have endeared him to his colleagues. In my judgment he is just too young to retire. but I have a feeling that JACK will continue to put his expertise and experience to good use for his State and Nation. I have enjoyed my service in the House with JACK BRINKLEY. and I look forward to our continued association and friendship.e
Date: 1982-12-03
Speaker: JOHN L. BURTON (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I to would like to compliment Chairman YATES and JOE McDADE. the ranking minority member. for the tremendous insight they have had toward the situation in the district that I have been privileged to represent for 8/2 years. They have done great work for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the Point Reyes Seashore. Better than giving you a fair hearing. they always gave you something that would benefit the people of this Nation. I appreciate that. SID and JOE. very much. and the kindness that you have extended to me.
Date: 1982-12-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I have cleared this request with the distinguished majority leader. I ask unanimous consent that the time for morning business be extended for not to exceed 1 hour and that Senators may be permitted to speak there in.
Date: 1982-12-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

May I say parenthetically. at the beginning. that I am going to make another in my series of speeches on the U.S. Senate. but I am very willing to yield the floor at any time if another Senator wishes to address the body. or. at any time additional legislation is scheduled to be taken up. I will yield the floor.
Date: 1982-12-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I believe there is about 3 minutes left in morning business. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
Date: 1982-12-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. that matter has been cleared with Mr. LONG and others on this side of the aisle. so there is no objection.
Date: 1982-12-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. 2 years ago the Congress enacted legislation to phase in periodic and systematic review of social security disability cases. This legislation was intended to improve the administraLion of the disability program. by insuring the removal of beneficiaries from the disability rolls who had medically recovered and could return to productive employment. The reviews were to be phased in over time so that State agencies would be able to prepare for greatly increased workloads. However. when the Reagan administration took office. it moved to accelerate the review process. In the past year. hundreds of thousands of diabled Individuals have had their disability benefits abruptly terminated. with little advance notice. only to have benefits reinstated after many months of waiting to appeal the termination decision. Many of those whose benefits were cut have never seen the State examiner. but have had their case decided by a review of their file. which often does not contain recent or pertinent medical Information. The waiting period for a review of the termination decision can be as long as a year. And. for many peoplewho are without other incomethis Is simply too late. Seriously ill people are forced to sell their homes or take other desperate. irreversible actions. Regrettably. most of us in this body have heard of suicides by individuals. who grew terribly despondent during this waiting period limbo. Other people have actually died from their disability during this time. I know of one constituent of mine. Mrs. John Carter. whose plight was highlighted by the Charleston Gazette for the people of the State. Mrs. Carter attempted to go back to work when her disability benefits were cut. She worked less than 3 days before she collapsed. Mrs. Carter aggravated her disabilities In her employment attempt and subsequently underwent surgery. It is unclear how permanent the health damage will be. I ask unanimous consent that the August 29 article on disability from the Charleston Gazette be printed In the RECORD at the conclusion of my remarks.
Date: 1982-12-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. may I say. for the information of the majority leader. that three measures are cleared on this side. including Calendar Order Nos. 942. 943. and 945. if it will be of help to him.
Date: 1982-12-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. may I ask the distinguished majority leader what his plans are for the rest of the day and for Monday?
Date: 1982-12-03
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I thank the majority leader. For the record. may I say that there are no objections on my part to proceeding. though there are some problems on my side of the aisle.
Date: 1982-12-06
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. there will be no objection from this side on the conditions that have just been set forth by the distinguished majority leader.
Date: 1982-12-07
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. December 13. 1982. will mark the first anniversary of the brutal military crackdown in Polp..d. aimed at smashing the solidarity labor union movement in that country. The imposition of martial la" by a military dictatorship exposed for all the world to. see. the transpart ncies of MarxistLeninist regimes who are fearful of their own populations. One only has to recall that solidarity began as a small. almost obscure. union in the shipyards of Gdansk. It had grown to encompass more than 10 million industrial workers from the coal miners of Silesia to the factory workers in nearly all the major cities of Poland. It had even spread to the rural areas. where the normally docile peasant farmers began organizing their own solidarity unions. The emergence of solidarity in Poland represented a threat to the Soviet leadership. Poland a year ago was not Hungary of 1956. which the Soviets invaded to suppress a revolt of intellectuals and students. Poland a year ago was not Czechoslovakia of 1968. where Soviet tanks were used to roll back the liberalization of the "Prague Spring." Poland a year ago was not Afghanistan. a neutral. third world country for which the Soviets have always had imperialist designs. The Poland of a year ago was a Poland comprised of 10 million industrial workers and peasants who wanted a greater voice in the running of their unions and a greater voice in controlling their own destinies. And this created a dilemma for the Soviets. It Was a one thing to turn guns on students is and intellectuals. It would be quite an- v other to turn guns on the proletariat. h the socalled foundation of the Communist state. 5 Faced with this dilemma. the Soviets C turned to the Polish generals. Either c General Jaruzelski was to crack down c on the Polish people or the Soviets C would intervene and do so themselves. c General Jaruzeiski imposed a military t dictatorship. solidarity was banned t and its courageous leader. Lech 1 Walesa. was Imprisoned. and the c Polish people were once again relegated to facing the grim reality of a cor- 1 rupt and repressive government. s Mr. President. as a cosponsor of Senate Resolution 501. I believe it represents the strong sentiments and concerns of all Americans. I believe it is appropriate to set aside December 12 as a demonstration of our solidarity with the people of Poland.
Date: 1982-12-07
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I am introducing legislation to improve and facilitate the administration of Justice in the Federal judiciary in my home State of West Virginia. In recent years. the judiciary has been increasingly burdened in West Virginia by a disparity of caseloads between the northern and southern districts. by the retention of a "swing" Judgeship position which must serve the entire State. although Judge Haden. who serves in that position. is also the chief judge for the southern district. and by the inclusion of several counties in each of the districts that would be better included. because of the regions geography. in the States other Judicial district. In brief. the bill which I am introducing would transfer Wood and Wirt Counties to the southern district. with Braxton. Webster. and Pocahontas Counties being shifted to the northern district. The "swing" judges designa tion would be eliminated. with Chief Judge Haden being permanently located in the south. Judge Kidd would be transferred from the southern to the northern district. and the temporary judgeship would be abolished. This change will not cost the Federal Government any additional money. The southern district will be reduced from 4/2 to 4 judges. and the northern district will be increased from 1/ to 2. The judicial caseload for the northerm district has greatly increased in recent years. The Statistical Analysis and Reports Division of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts issued a judicial workload profile for the year ending June 30. 1982. in which the northern district for West Virginia was ranked as 15th in the Nation in the total number of civil filings. There has been a 24percent increase in the courts caseload In the past 5 years. nd the current caseload of 1.233 cases i 12.6 percent larger than in the pre- lo bus year. This formidable burden S as been shouldered by 11 judges. The bill that I am introducing is S upported by the Federal District ourt judges in the State. by the Cirult Council for the 4th Judicial Ciruit. and was Initiated by Chief Judge harles A. Moye. Jr.. chairman of the g Iubcommittee on Judicial Statistics Of a he Committee on Court Administra- p ion of the Judicial Conference. I be- S ieve that this bill will alleviate the p difficult situation that exists in my i Rtate. and I commend it to my col- 1 eagues for their favorable considera.ion.I Mr. President. I ask unanimous con- t sent that the bill be introduced under the joint cosponsorship of myself and my senior colleague . s
Date: 1982-12-07
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I have no need for additional me. I yield 4 minutes of the time alcated to me to the distinguished enator from Wisconsin.
Date: 1982-12-07
Speaker: JOHN L. BURTON (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. first of all I would like to commend the subcommittee chairman. JOE ADDABBO. for what has been a long and sometimes lonely fight on this committee to bring some sense to the military spending in this country. and I hope that we are on the verge of a victory for the subcommittee chairman and for the people of this country. To call this weapon. the MX. a peacekeeper. only a person that would think about taxing unemployment insurance wculd have the inimagination to do that. The only way that we can have peace in this world is to have nuclear disarmament. not to spend billions of American tax dollars on something like the MX missile. Missile experimental is what MX stands for. and certainly that is what it is. They have. gone through I do not know how many different kinds of basing modes. I personally like Jimmy Carters railway track the best because we know that Amtrack and Conrail were in trouble and there is a way they could have utilized some of these tracks around the country and made the trains run on time by putting the missiles on them. Then. of course. the Soviet Union never would have known where the missiles were because trains never ran on time and nobody ever knew in the Northeast whether the trains would be stopping or not. and the Russians would have been throughly confused. But I will have to join with my friend. the gentleman from Oregon. LEs AUCOIN. in talking about Dense Pack. My good friend. the gentleman from Florida. C. W. (Bura) YOUNG. who talked about Pearl Harbor. that was the initial Dense Pack at Hickam Field. and we see what happened when the Japanese attacked us. Certainly if the Albanians would attack the Dense Pack MX missile. we would have trouble there because they could wipe them out with one blow. So I would really hope that my friends who believe In fiscal responsibility and are concerned about an evergrowing budget. evergrowing budget deficits. would take a look at the potential $200 billion tab.
Date: 1982-12-07
Speaker: JOHN L. BURTON (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the Speaker and the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union for the purpose of considering this bill. and I would like to close by saying that those who are concerned with balanced budgets and those who are concerned with deficits. we can save a potential $200 billion
Date: 1982-12-07
Speaker: WILLIAM J. COYNE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. Chairman REUSS has been the kind of Congressman who makes one proud to be in politics and proud to be a Member of the House. Even before I came to Washington. when I served on the Pittsburgh City Council. HENRY REUSs was one of the few persons in Washington who was alert to reforms being carried out in my city. He wanted to probe what we were doing and find out if policies that were proving beneficial in our area could be helpful to other cities. For anyone interested in urban affairs. Chairman REUSS was a fount of knowledge. His understanding of local tax issues. urban transportation. metropolitan governance. and land use matters was impressive. He has also been a great innovator. He was not afraid to pursue littleknown or unpopular causes. And when he pushed for a new approach. it was evident that he had researched it thoroughly. His national reputation as one of the keenest thinkers in the House is well deserved. I count myself fortunate to have known and worked with Chairman REUss. The House ivill be a poorer place for his leaving. But it is also a richer place for his having served so long and so well. As we bid him farewell. I know I join my colleagues in expressing the confident hope that we in this House and in the country at large will still have the benefit of his counsel for many years to come.*
Date: 1982-12-08
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Madam President. I have no need for the time so generously offered by the majority leader. so he may yield it back or reserve it.