macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1993-01-05
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. the world is watching us. and I am concerned that the debate has turned into an area that we should not even be discussing or even thinking. We cannot go tell the Soviet Union how to have freedom and justice. we cannot force countries that we will cut off your funds unless you have votes. unless you have representation. My interpretation is if you are enfranchised as a U.S. citizen by birth or by acquisition. that gives you full equality with every other American. and we should not be talking about numbers. I think some of us may want to go back. if you will forgive me. when some remember separatebutequal was legal.. the poll tax was legal. women not voting was legal. Mr. Speaker. I think some of us feel that maybe those were the good old days. I think the world should know that an American has a right. and it has been said too many times. but I repeat it. because I saw the casket of a Puerto Rican under a U.S. flag. By God. If that did not win him the right to be represented. his people to be represented here. I.do not know what will.
Date: 1993-01-05
Speaker: THOMAS S. FOLEY (democrat)
Chamber: H

Speaker. U.S. House of Representatives. H2 . the Capitol. Wa3htngton.. DC.. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: This letter is to inform you that. pursuant to the authority vested in the Committee on House Administration by Rouse Resolution 423 (102nd Congress). and other laws. rules and regulations. the Committee has directed the following effective just prior to noon on January 3. 1993: 1. All functions. entities. duties and responsibilities under the House Postmaster are transferred to the Director of Nonlegislative and Financial Services. 2. There is established an Office of the Director of Nonlegislative and Financial Services. which office shall be comprised of the Director of Nonlegislative and Financial Services (Director) appointed pursuant to House Rule 52. an Executive Assistant to the Director to be appointed by the Director. an Administrative Assistant to be appointed by the Director. and a Director of House Postal Operations to be appointed by the Director. subject to the following requirement: the Committee directs that the initial appointee to the position of Director of House Postal Operations shall be the person serving as House Postmaster immediately prior to the abolition of the position of House Postmaster by virtue of the transfer made pursuant to paragraph I above. 3. Until otherwise provided by law. the above positions under the Director. and all positions transferred to. or created for the Director. are hereby approved by the Committee and the Director pursuant to the criteria established in the House Employees Positlon Classification Act and other applicable laws. rules and regulations. The Committee will establish the appropriate grade and level for the positions so transferred or created. By copy of this letter. the Clerk of the House has been authorized and directed to disburse from the contingent fund or other appropriate account. such sums as may be necessary for salary disbursement for the above personnel. and for supplies and materials reasonably necessary for the operation of the Office of the Director of Nonlegislative and Financial Services until otherwise provided by law. With my very best wishes. Sincerely. CnARLIE Rosz. Chairman.
Date: 1993-01-06
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. a few minutes ago the gentleman on the other side made a number of statements that were sadly incorrect. Let me first say that we from the territories. we Delegates. thank the House for extending to us the vote in the Committee of the Whole. It was a proud moment for this body. this democratic body. Mr. Speaker. the mistake that was made is that the people of my district pay Federal taxes. We pay it at the Federal rate. I file it on the same form that every other Member in this House files it on. It is called the mirror tax system. It mirrors identically the taxes that are paid in my colleagues States. that all of us pay. and any time that we raise the taxes on the American people. we raise the taxes on the American people in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mr. Speaker. all tax increases apply .to us. so we have a stake. as do my colleagues. in bringing this deficit down.
Date: 1993-01-26
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of House Resolution 20. Drugs are the scourge of our Nation. They are killing our youth. Our war against the drugs has been woefully inadequate. There was not enough talk about this problem during the Presidential election. and this is the first signal we axe going to send to the American people that we are going to strike the flag on the fight that we wage against drugs here In this Congress by eliminating the select committee that has done an outstanding job. Mr. Speaker. as a member of that select comnilttee. I can tell you that under the chairmanship of the gentleman from New York . the committee has--since 1976. Its inception--done an outstanding job. It has demanded that the Federal agencies be held accointable for the funds that they allocate for drug programs. and It has remained in touch with the communitybased organizations to monitor their successes within their respective communities. Mr. Speaker. my community Is on the drug route. I represent the Virgin Islands. this beautiful paradise. but I can tell you that my community. just as your community. has been impacted by drugs. I hope that you will support this rule and that you will support the reauthorization of House Resolution 20.
Date: 1993-02-03
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. today I am introducing legislation which I hope will focus the attention of Congress on a crisis of national proportions. Thanks to Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 and Hurricane Hugo in 1989. which devastated my district of the U.S. Virgin Islands. especially the Island of St. Croix. and caused hundreds of millions of dollars of damage in Puerto Rico and the Carolinas. and thanks to Hurricane Andrew which caused so much damage in Florida that 1992 is the worst year for property and casualty losses. insurers are now unwilling to write policies in areas where there is the threat of hurricanes or tornadoes. Millions of Americans In the Islands. along the coasts. and in tornado alley from Texas to Illinois In the Midwest. cannot obtain Insurance on their homes. In some areas of this country. both conventional and FHA loans have come to a standstill because Insurance is unavailable. In my own district of the U.S. Virgin Islands. homeowners insurance capped out last September and since then almost no one has been able to buy a home because lenders will not give mortgages on homes that are not insured. Private Insurers are also leaving Florida in droves. It is clear this countrys private Insurance industry can no longer respond to the need. As a result. Mr. Speaker. we should examine the possibility of establishing a windstorm insurance program. similar to the Federal Flood Insurance Program. so that it once again becomes available and at prices people can afford. The bill I am introducing today takes the first step in solving our national Insurance crisis. by directing FEMA to develop such a plan and submit a report to Congress within 90 days of passage. FEMA is asked to look into: Establishing an affordable windstorm Insurance program. sharing coinsurance between the Federal Government and private insurance companies. finding incentives for private insurers to reenter the market. making savings in disaster relief costs if the Federal and private sectors provide insurance together. and. establishing mitigation programs that reduce windstorm damage. Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues. especially those from the coastal States and areas affected by tornadoes. to support this bill. This will be the first step in opening a dialog and drawing up a Federal windstorm insurance program to prevent economic disaster in those areas.
Date: 1993-02-03
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Chairman. I would like to thank the distinguished chairman for yielding 2 minutes of his time for me to address this Chamber on H.R. 1. the Family and Medical Leave Act. As a new member to the Education and Labor Committee and as a cosponsor to H.R. 1. I am extremely proud to stand before you today in support of this bill. I support this bill because I believe that we need to put an end to the days when struggling families are forced to choose between the health and wellbeing of their families and the demands of their Jobs. Those Members who oppose this bill will argue that the Government should not be mandating this benefit and that leave policies should be provided only If employers are willing. and employees choose to accept this benefit. However. the fact is that employers are not currently providing this benefit to employees and people are continuing to suffer. I appeal to my colleagues to look at this bill for what it really is. It sets a basic standard by which employees must be treated by their employers. This bill is not a Government giveaway. nor Is it some pork barrel project that benefits one small segment of the population. American workers can and are competing in the world economy. We should provide comparable benefits. By passing this bill. we will fulfill our first obligation as public representatives. That obligation Is to set the ground rules under which we all must work. It creates a standard of decency by which we can all expect to be treated. even when times are not their best. We have seen the result of the absence of a family leave policy and it is time to set the record straight on the direction we are going and the value we place on the working women and men of this country.
Date: 1993-02-04
Speaker: LES ASPIN (democrat)
Chamber: S

Secretary. DOD. The Pentagon. Washington. DC. DEAR MR. SECRETARY: I write with the strongest of objection to the fact the President wishes to change the Militarys rules re INE. MD. gay individuals. uary 12. 1993. I served as an enlisted man with world War 11 and Korean service. I have watched the great improvement in our services the past an Army Cap- decade. you to do ev- It Is simply wrong to create special rules residentElect or circumstances for the gay. These people ban on homo- choose their life style. Will we see special ve this action Army units exclusively of gays or perhaps an ative effect on air force wing manned by gays? How do you d readiness as expect our military leaders to develop pride. ifidence in our morale and teamwork with their officers and men with special rules and or treatment? everyone has Homosexuality is immoral. It contributes ary. The mill- to the present problem of AIDS in our counhandicapped. try. As a person I would not want to serve in a military that has special rules for gays. I would not want my children to serve either. Aboard ship the quarters are close. In training. work and combat our men and women must depend on one anotheto perform duties. I would not want to rely on an individual or group that I knew to be gay. It is just as shameful that apparent political expediency results in such requests. I am saddened to think our nation must stoop to such low depths. Please remember our military is vital and should be treated honorably. not shabbily. Also. I remind you New York. San Francisco and the Washington beltway are just part. not all of America. Cordially yours.
Date: 1993-02-04
Speaker: RICHARD G. DARMAN (democrat)
Chamber: S

Director. Office of Management and Budget. Washington. DC. DEAR RICHARD: This letter is in regard to United States assessed financial commitment for Somali aid. Before the United States spends one cent for the Somali project. a full cost estimate should be conducted. To this date. I have seen no cost projections for troop intervention and protectorate costs in Somali. I request that the Office of Management and Budget conduct a study of the best case and the worst case scenarios concerning Somali aid projections. I am disturbed by the U.N.s altered position on the financial assessment for protectorate costs. food aid. and longterm Somali aid commitments. The position has changed. leaving the United States as the primary financial supporter of the project. Other countries besides the United States should pledge monetary support for troop intervention in Somalia. The United States should not be forced to foot the whole bill. The American people deserve to know what we are getting into. Without the financial involvement of more countries. the United States could be assessed as much as 80 percent of the protectorate costs and the military assistance. There is absolutely no reason for the United States to pay the lions share of the cost. particularly without a full assessment of the projects cost. I believe that. at the very least. a cost assessment should be prepared. I would appreciate it if you could contact me concerning my request as soon as possible. Should you have any questions or comments. please do not hesitate to contact Ann Waltner of my staff at 2245842. Thank you very much for your consideration of this matter. Sincerely.
Date: 1993-02-16
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to rise In support of House Joint Resolution 101. to designate the week of February 21 through February 27. 1993. as "National FFA Organization Awareness Week." The National FFA Organization Is one of our Nations most successful nongovemment programs to help young people become more productive and responsible citizens. FFA Is dedicated to fostering character development. agricultural leadership and responsible citizenship among students enrolled In approved agriculture education programs at our Nations high schools. Todays FFA Is not limited to leadership training programs for future farmers. It also exposes high school agriculture students to career opportunities in agriscience. agribusiness. forestry and other agriculturerelated professlons. It Is also an organization whose members believe in the future of American agriculture. Several years ago. In the wake of the height of the farm crisis of the early 1980s. I was a speaker at the annual convention of the national FAA organization. It was a time of great troubles in the agricultural economy. Yet when I asked the rhetorical question. "Is there a future for young people in American agriculture." the answer from the crowd of thousands gathered in the convention center was a deafening "yes-" Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to join with my colleagues in extending official recognition to the accomplishments and contributions made over the years by the national FAA organization and Its members and alumni. I urge passage of this resolution.
Date: 1993-02-16
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to submit for printing In the CONGRESSONN. RECORD. pursuant to rule XI. clause 2(a) ofte noes of the House. a copy of the rules of the Committee on Agriculture. which were adopted at the organizational meeting of the committee on January 7. 1993. The rules were agreed to by a unanimous voice vote. I Appendix A of the committes rulem. prescribing the form of a proxy rouired by the rules. Is Included In this submission. Appendix B of the committee rules Incudes excerpts tmm the nes of e house reveiant to t op.eration of the committee. Appendix C Includes relevant exce from the Congressiona Budget Act of 1974. In the Interests of minimizing printing costs. appendices B and C are omitted from this submission. RuLaS OF TH COswrrr oN AGRICULTURE
Date: 1993-02-24
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. on March 6. 1993 the emergency authorization for unemployment benefits passed by the last. Congress will expire. H.R. 920 will extend unemployment benefits for those out of work for up to 6 months. Although some say we are in a recovery. the fact is that 9 million Americans remain unemployed. Two million of these persons have been unemployed for over 6 months. As these persons exhaust their State unemployment benefits they will be eligible for assistance under this extension of benefits. We have heard a lot of talk about a stimulus package. however. this extension of benefits is the best way to make that stimulus felt by those most In need. Until the economy grows and more jobs are created. the best stimulus we can give to a struggling family is the assurance of a roof over their heads and a meal on their table. Currently. about 1.5 million Americans are receiving benefits. Every month between 250.000 and 300.000 people will exhaust their state benefits and need assistance under this act. The total appropriation for this bill is $5.6 billion for fiscal years 1993 and No additional benefits would be paid beyond 1995.
Date: 1993-02-24
Speaker: COLE MAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr.. Speaker. I ask unanimous- consent that the name of the gentlewoman from Illinois [Mrs. CoLwIs1 be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 118. The. gentlewomans name was place&: on. th- bill mistakenly due to an administrative error.
Date: 1993-02-24
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. we are gathered today to pay homage to those AfricanAmericans who refuse to be held down. and who resist being held back. This Is not an easy task. Mr. Speaker. for when a range of societal. attitudinal and Institutional forces are arrayed to block your ambitions and stifle your dreams. It takes more than mere wishing to actually break free. It takes more than dissatisfaction with the confines Imposed upon you. And it requires more than the knowledge and conviction that the hardships in your life are not deserved. and that right is on your side. It takes relentless courage. It demands extraordinary Intellect. And it requires that unshakable sense of self that renders petty and vile those who would stand in your way. It also takes time. Mr. Speaker. the tenacity. the courage and the intellect all came together In the giant of a man that was Justice Thurgood Marshall. And he took the time to make a difference. And so. as my colleagues gather to honor AfricanAmericans from all fields of endeavor. I wish to pay homage to this AfricanAmerican and his unwavering commitment to his people and his community--no matter the cost. Threats to his life did not deter himhe travelled some 50.000 miles a year throughout the deadly segregationist South representing black clients and unpopular causes. Overwork did not slow himhe handled as many as 450 cases at a time. And his intellect never waned--he wrote 112 opinions while on the U.S. Court of Appeals. none of which were ever overturned on appeal. And. while Solicitor General of the United States. he argued 32 cases before the Supreme Court. 29 of which he won. A mammoth Intellect by any standards. Mr. Chairman. Justice Marshall was a crusader who neither feared the racist nor was duped by the hypocrite. I never knew Justice Marshall personally. Mr. Speaker. but Justice Sandra Day OConnor says that: His was the eye of a lawyer who saw the deepest wounds in the social fabric and used the law to help heal them. His was the ear of a counselor who understood the vulnerabilities of the accused and established safeguards for their protection. His was the mouth of a man who knew the anguish of the silenced and gave them a voice. He was a man who saw the world exactly as it was and pushed on to make it what it should become. Laurence Tribe. constitutional scholar and Harvard Law School professor called him the greatest lawyer In the 20th century. And our colleague. Chairman KWEISI MFUME of the Congressional Black Caucus said that he gave the Constitution the. power the Framers articulated but did not practice. that Lincoin affirmed but did not perfect. Asked how he would like to be remembered. Mr. Speaker. Justice Marshall simply said as a person who did what he could with what he had. Would that that could be said of us all.
Date: 1993-03-03
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I would like to thank the chairman of the committee and- the sponsors of H.R. 20 for allowing me time to address the House. Mr. Chairman. how important H.R. 20 is. we are not talking about groceries or -automobiles. we are talking about peoples rights. If somebody is forcing theiremployees to buy their groceries or buy their cars at a certain location. then I think they need to go down to the local district attorneys office and talk to that person. because that is how we take care of thattn Texas. In Texas. our State employees have these rights. We have restored these rights. including law enforcment personnel. 4 years ago. and have had no problems since then. Let me relate the reason that I am here today and a cosponsor of H.R. 20. I know of a 37yearold letter carrier who for many years did not have the opportunity to get involved in his elections. He voted like a good citizen would. but that letter carrier wanted to be involved. but he could not because he was worried about losing his job. That letter carrier never did anything but go vote. and I think today it is so important that we pass this and restore that right for that letter carrier. along with all Federal employees.
Date: 1993-03-03
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. one of the most severe problems facing our Nation is the lack of jobs facing our young people. The fact is that people without the hope of a promising job lose the inspiration and drive necessary to become productive members of society. The chance at a college education has remained elusive for many of our young people mainly due to the high cost of higher education. President Clinton has outlined his plan to remedy this problem and will fulfill his campaign promise for job creation with the enactment of a National Service Corps. Our young people will finally have the opportunity to get a college education and will be able to repay the cost of that education by serving their community by teaching. providing police protection. or contributing to the growing need for infrastructure development. This program will offer the flexibility for students to choose to serve either before or after they have achieved their educational goals. We all know that pride in self and community come from having a vested interest in the success of those around you. This program both revitalizes the emphasis in community involvement and removesthe barriers that keep our young people from pursuing higher education.
Date: 1993-03-04
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. most of the farmers. the ranchers and the rural residents I have talked to over the past few weeks support the thrust of the Presidents economic plan. They are willing to be part of a team effort to get this country back on track. All they ask is that the mix of spending cuts and tax increases we vote on here in Congress be fair. The trouble is I cannot explain to my rural south Texas constituents--and particularly the farmers and ranchers in my districtwhy the programs serving their needs are again on the chopping block. but not other programs. I cannot explain why farmers and ranchers must sacrifice twicefirst with budget cuts in farm programs. and then again with an energy tax. and other related taxes that hit agriculture and rural residents harder than almost any other sector of the economy. Mr. Speaker. agricultural spending has been greatly reduced. Over the past 10 years we have voted on and approved agricultural spending cuts totaling $48 billion. Just 2 years ago. we cut farm price support spending alone by an estimated 20 percent. What other entitlement. what other budget function. what other single program has taken this kind of hit? We want to support the House budget resolution. but we want to see fairness in these budget cuts and tax increases. I urge the Budget Committee and the House to treat rural America fairly.