macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1990-10-25
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

The gentleman will yield. your understanding Is correct. Nothing in this bill affects in any way the scope of section 205 of the Federal Railroad Safety Act. The amendments made by section 4 of this bill to section 105(a) of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. and by section 13 to section 112 of the act. do not address whether preemption of state hazardous materials laws pertaining to the railroad industry is addressed by section 205 of the Federal Railroad Safety Act.
Date: 1990-10-25
Speaker: THOMAS A LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. the gentleman is correct. The preemption provisions of this bill. sections 4 and 13. do not address that issue.
Date: 1990-10-25
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that the amendment in the nature of a substitute be considered as read and printed in the RECORD.
Date: 1990-10-25
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk enroll by hand the Senate bill. S. 2936. as amended. which was just considered. and that in the engrossment of the bill. the Clerk be authorized to correct section numbers. punctuation. and crossreferences. and to make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the actions of the House in considering this bill.
Date: 1990-10-26
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 2065. as amended. and recommend its passage by the House. Tropical deforestation is a matter of concern to many around the world. Its effects. both locally and globally. are poorly understood. What is known. however. is that the conversion of tropical forests to nonforest uses is rapidly reducing the quantity of these once vast forests to a small percentage of their former range. The U.S. Forest Service in the Department of Agriculture is recognized. worldwide. as the leading source of professional expertise on matters related to forest management. research. and protection. H.R. 2065 would simply permit the Forest Service to share their vast knowledge and expertise with others who need it to help to understand and better protect the vanishing forests of the tropical regions of the world. The Institute of Tropical Forestry in Puerto Rico and the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry have demonstrated expertise in matters related to tropical forestry. For the past several decades. these institutions have served as a source of training. demonstration. and outreach for those interested in protecting and better managing tropical forests. H.R. 2065 would formally recognize these institutions and authorize a specific mission and direction for their activities. In addition. H.R. 2065 would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to mansage the Caribbean National Forest as a model for the proper management and conservation of tropical foreats. In order to enhance the Forests ability to fulfill this missionpaticularly as it relates to providing opportunities for international outreach. study. and trainingthe bill would provide for the construction of additional facilities. Finally. H.R. 2065. as amended. provides the Forest Service with general authority to provide international assistance to promote better understanding and managament of tropical forests and related resources. Mr. Speaker. the Corrnittee on Agriculture. which has jurisdiction over matters related to forest management. and the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. with its jurisdiction over insular areas. have teamed up to put together a bill that can help to stem the tide of tropical deforestation. This is a good package which can begin immediately to help avert the destruction of our important tropical forest resources. Tile II of the bill includes a provision to direct the Secretary of Agriculture. through the Extension Service. to develop a program to promote better understanding of the legal requirements and Proper methods for disposing of unwanted agricultural chemicals and agricultural chemical containers. This program is an important element in our efforts to promote safer and more environmentally sound farming practices throughout rural America. Mr. Speaker. I urge support for H.R. 2065. as amended.
Date: 1990-10-26
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill to authorize the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984.
Date: 1990-10-26
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan . the chairman of the full committee.
Date: 1990-10-26
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. in yielding back the balance of my time. I would like to extend best wishes to the gentleman from Kansas. We have had an especially close personal relationship for the last 4 years. He is the ultimate gentleman. a person who is easy to work with. He has been a full partner. He has been entitled to. and has received. the respect of all the Members in the House. but he has been especially a friend to those of us on this side of the aisle in this subcommittee. I will certainly miss the close relationship with the gentleman from Kansas
Date: 1990-10-26
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks. and include therein extraneous material. on the Senate bill. S. 1893. the bill just passed.
Date: 1990-10-26
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman from California for yielding the time. and I congratulate him and the gentleman from Illinois for their important contributions. Mr. Speaker. I also rise in support of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990. This is an important initiative that will provide consumers with standardized nutrition labeling information so that they can make informed choices in the packaged food products that they purchase in grocery stores. As my distinguished colleagues. Mr. WAXMAN and Mr. MADIGAN know. one of the major concerns that I initially had with this legislation was the labeling requirements of fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh seafood. and what compliance burdens would be imposed on supermarkets that sell these items. Back in July. just prior to the August recess. I was pleased that we were able to put together a compromise on the coverage of raw agricultural commodities and fresh fish which now has been agreed to by the Senate. The compromise is reasonable and fair to the supermarket industry and consumers alike because it will allow for the competitive marketplace to come forward with voluntary nutrition programs for a set period of time before any mandatory requirements are triggered. In my opinion. this is the preferable course of action because it will encourage creativity and will allow information to be presented to consumers in many different formats. Under this approach. I predict that in a very short period of time the supermarket industry will devise a wide range of ways in which to convey nutrition information to their customers. I commend Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. MADIGAN. as well as Mr. McMILIAN of North Carolina. and Mr. DINGELL for working together with the supermarket industry in fashioning this commonsense compromise on fresh fruits and vegetables and raw fish. I urge my colleagues to vote for the nutrition labeling bill.
Date: 1990-10-26
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill to address immediate problems affecting environmental cleanup activities.
Date: 1990-10-26
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on S. 3187. the Senate bill just passed.
Date: 1990-10-26
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to implement the national objective of pollution prevention by establishing a source reduction program at the Environmental Protection Agency. by assisting States in providing information and technical assistance regarding source reduction. and for other purposes.
Date: 1990-10-26
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. if the gentleman will yield. the gentleman is correct. We are aware that EPA is involved in pollution prevention efforts that are not covered by this legislation and are funded separately. This legislation would not limit those activities. and we encourage the agency to proceed with them but not at the expense of the pollution prevention work and funding specified in this legislation.
Date: 1990-10-26
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

That is also correct. The bill makes it quite clear that nothing in this legislation should be construed as limiting EPAs existing authorities.
Date: 1990-10-26
Speaker: THOMAS A. LUKEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous matter on the bill just passed.
Date: 1990-10-27
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the chai man for yielding. Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this legislation. There was one particular point that we were concerned with. That was very graphically demonstrated last night. I now think we have positive legisla tion. not that those of us who have and are sensitive to immigration and what it can do and not do. but the fact is that those who have worked in good faith and in good conscience have now given us something that we can support. I now ask them in the kindness that they have shown us. to continue working with us. and that the enforcement of this legislation be in the spirit in which we have passed it and that we continue working in that endeavor so that the enforcers have the sensitivity and the humanity necessary to see that immigration law is not a vindictive law. is not a law that prejudices anyone. but rather have an orderly ingression of people into our country.
Date: 1990-10-27
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. several provisions would authorize technical. already appropriated. and additional assistance to the insular areas to survive and recover from natural disasters. The need for these measures became apparent after Hurricane Hugo. The bill also includes an authorization requested by the administration to complete the Guam Hospital. a special process for the disposal of excess lands on Guam. and expansion of the existing authority related to projects to decrease insular dependence upon imported fuels.
Date: 1990-10-27
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that the amendment In the nature of a substitute be considered as read and printed in the RECORD.
Date: 1990-10-27
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. the amendment would delete provisions that would have authorized insular areas to use funds appropriated for oLher purposes for disaster relief. make technical amendments. substitute authority to transfer some 3.073 acres of land on Guam for the disposal process in the Senate bill. broaden the authorization for medical facilities on Guam to be consistent with the Interior appropriations bill. make the authority for insular purchases through the General Services Administration that has been granted annually since 1950 permanent. authorize implementation of an option for the future use of water island in the Virgin Islands proposed by the Interior Department parsuant to the 1986 omnibus insular areas act. and authorize a study of insular water. sewer. and power needs. enable airlines in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands to be contracted by Federal agencies.
Date: 1990-10-27
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the Senate bill just considered and passed.
Date: 2009-01-06
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. for 100 years. the motion to recommit has really been sacrosanct in this House. and the essence of representative democracy is. yes. rule by the majority with respect to the rights of the minority. -Today. history will record that in this rules package by the majority. the severe limitation of the right of the minority to offer an alternative in legislation. this severe limitation of the motion to recommit. is a sad. unfortunate. and wholly unnecessary step that takes a very strong. a very significant step toward unaccountability. So it is really a sad day for this House. that the House. the leadership. the majority leadership. would commence this Congress by retrogression. by taking such a significant and unfortunate step towards unaccountability. severely limiting the option. the ability of the minority to offer an alternative known for 100 years and respected in this House as the motion to recommit. D 1500
Date: 2009-01-14
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

I thank my friend. It is unfortunate the rule is closed. It is such an important issue we are discussing. For example. a new member of the majority party came before us in the Rules Committee. Mr. KISSELL. with a very thoughtful amendment. It was rejected. not permitted for debate. That is unfortunate and unnecessary. Now. I had said last year. Madam Speaker. that I wasnt going to support a major expansion of SCHIP until legal immigrant children were included. because we should not discriminate against legal immigrants. I represent South Florida. I represent hundreds of thousands of immigrants. So I made clear. I am not going to support an expansion of SCHIP until they are included. Well. they are in the legislation that we are going to vote on today and so I am going to vote for it. I commend the leadership for having included it. and I think the Senate has to do the same. As I said before. it was a sine qua non for me. Until legal immigrant children were included. I wasnt going to support an expansion of SCHIP. So. it is a good day. We are going to have a vote on this program that is going to include thousands of children and their moms who unfairly have been excluded. And. by the way. that affects kids in school and the other children in school. When the children who are sick have to go to the emergency room or when they are sick in the classroom. they affect all the kids in the classroom. It just doesnt make sense. And they are legal in this country. Anyway. I am going to be supporting the legislation today.
Date: 2009-01-14
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise today in strong opposition to a provision in this bill that would have drastic consequences for hospitals in my district and hospitals around the Nation. Everyone in this Chamber can agree that health care in this country needs transformation. America has always been a leader when it comes to medical research. training the best. the brightest. and providing superior care. We need to make sure that tradition contirnaes. Physicians across the country have decided they can provide better health care to more people by engaging in the process. Some doctors have decided to play a role in the care delivered in the hospitals in their community. and studies show that this has resulted in higher quality care and higher patient satisfaction. Physicianowned hospitals employ highly skilled workers. They are an engine in the local economy. and language in this bill will devastate most of them. I say most. because a handful of hospitals located in special congressional districts will have rights that hospitals in my district and the majority of others will not. Why do .only a handful of Members of Congress receive the privilege of a carveout for their hospitals? Many facilities have poured millions of dollars into constructing hospitals that will be forced to shut down becuse of this bill. Baylor Hospital in particular in my district is in the process of adding additional operating rooms and hospital beds to serve the community needs. This local hospital wont be able to complete the project because of this bill. I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to work with me to see that all existing hospitals and thos*e under development are treated the same in this legislation. No carveouts. no special privileges. It has to be all fair and all the same. Physicianowned hospitals have proven over and over again they spur greater choice and offer higher quality care to patients. These hospitals all deserve the right to be abld to continue to serve their community. That is the American way.
Date: 2009-01-14
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Madam Speaker. first of all. let me state that I support health insurance for children. As a matter of fact. it was my bill on the floor of the Senate where we created KidCare. Where did the money come from? It was from a historic vote that I cast to be able to go after the tobacco companies for settlement. Thats Where the money came from originally for the SCHIP program. but the bill we have before us today is not a bill that taxpayers can support. First of all. there is no prohibition against crowdout. In other words. it pushes children off of private insurance onto the government program. and it does allow States to continue for at least 2 years the enrollment of adults. It actually does nothing to prohibit illegal aliens from being on the program. and thats something that taxpayers are very concerned about. Additionally. Madam Speaker. there is no incentive here. really. to go after and to have lowincome children covered by this bill. For those reasons. I oppose it.
Date: 2009-01-15
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I want to talk about a high school champion. I rise to congratulate the 2008 state champions of Texas high school footballthe Blue and White Allen Eagles. Last month. the Allen Eagles defeated Fort Bend Hightower 21 to 14 in a stunning second half comeback to win the Texas 5A football championship in Houstons Reliant Stadium. The crowd went wild! Under head coach Tom Westerberg. the Eagles football program has thrived with stellar seasons in 07. 06 and 05 as well. I will insert the names of the top coaches into the RECORD. There is a special story about this team. Each spring. the rising seniors pick a motto for the upcoming season. The players selected: Start strong. Finish strong. Congratulations to the Allen Eagles. Way to finish strong. I salute you. God bless you. and God bless America. Go Eagles! Tom Westerberg. Head Coach. Asst. Athletic Director. Terry Gambill. Asst. Head Coach. Defensive Coordinator. Jeff Fleener. Offensive Coordinator. Jeff Chaney. Special Teams Coordinator. Mike Carter. Strength Coordinator.
Date: 2009-01-15
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H

of fornia changed his vote from "no "aye." So the amendment was rejected. The result of the vote was annou as above recorded. Stated against:
Date: 2009-01-27
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Id like to thank my friend the distinguished gentlewoman from Maine for thetime. I wish to welcome my distinguished colleague to the Rules Committee. She is a very important addition to the Rules Committee. and all of us have had the privilege of welcoming her in the last days. She stated in her statement that she is a new Member. Shes also a new member of our committee. and obviously we are very pleased that she is. Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to this closed rule that. once again. clearly contradicts the majoritys pledge to the American people to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Today. the majority proceeds to consider this legislation here on the floor of the House under a closed rule. That means. Mr. Speaker. that if this rule is passed and this legislation is brought to the floor under it. every Member of this House will be forbidden from offering any amendments to it. And what makes this act even more unfortunate is that this bill did not make its way through the committee process during this Congress. thereby abandoning the critical committee vetting and amendment process. In effect. what the majority is doing is sidelining the legislative process. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Mr. Speaker. may say that they would refute that claim because this legislation was considered in the previous Congress and should be passed quickly. But I bring to my colleagues attention that we have dozens of new Members who were not here in the last Congress and are now not given the opportunity to participate in the usual and proper legislative process. So. something that truly concerns me is that this closed rule may. in effect. foreshadow how the majority will continue to run this House. Considering the fact that we are only in the fourth week of the 111th Congress. and that when we take into account this rule. we count this rule. the majority has already considered four pieces of legislation under closed rules. I am quite concerned that the future will bring closed rule after closed rule to this floor. So. Mr. Speaker. the question is obvious. Will the majority continue its current path of blocking a bipartisan legislative process? Will they break their record of offering 64 bills. as they did under closed rules in the 110th Congress? Or will they change their behavior and open up this legislative process? The majority promised that it would when it achieved the majority 2 years ago. but it has not done so. In fact. as I stated. in the last Congress. 64 billsbreaking all records of all prior Congresses64 bills were brought to this floor under closed rules that do not permit any Members in this House to have thdir ideas considered in the form of amendments. So the facts do not lead to optimism. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2009-01-27
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would remind my distinguished friend that we did make known our protest with regard to the fact that this legislation was in the list of bills that the majority on the first day of this Congress made clear would be brought to the floor without the possibility of amendments. But its interesting. When the Senate considered this legislation. the Senate did authorize and have debate on amendments. And so the question really. I think. is begged. What is the harm in allowing Members of this House to bring forth their ideas and letting this House work its way via the majority. the majority decide. and that way vet the ideas. discuss. debate. and decide which ideas brought forth by colleagues are appropriate and should be adopted. Theres no harm in that. Mr. Speaker. Theres no harm. But. unfortunately. the pattern is continuing. The record was broken in the last Congress with regard to the number of closed rules. with regard to the number of pieces of legislation that were brought to this floor under a structure that did not allow any amendments to be proposed and debated by Members of either party. And that trend continues. So we saw it not only on the first day of this Congress. but we see it today. Already. four bills. in the few days that this Congress has met. the lllth Congress has met already. we have seen four bills brought forth under these structures known as closed rules that do not allow Members of either party from proposing ideas to improve any of the pieces of legislation that have been brought to the floor. I think thats the most unfortunate. I reserve the balance of my time.