macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1981-03-03
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. in the annals of mankind there are but a very few individuals who surpass the goals and expectations of their time and generation. Today we are here to pay tribute to one of theseour colleague Gladys Spellman. In this day and age Gladys Spellman is a most rare and precious individualone of our most illustrious membersa true believer in the basic concept of liberty and justice. There are so many things I could say about this great and gentle woman. In her there is -a combination that I doubt can be reproduced. Her chemistry is such that it fits no formula. nor could all the elements be readily identifiable. There is the friend. the wife. the politician. Within are the energy. the wit. the basic honesty. the intelligence and the spark of life. There is the loyalty to her friends. the reverence to basic human rights. the unyielding loyalty to her beloved country. What a great woman. and yet how humble. kind and understanding. The adjectives are endless. Let it suffice to say for now that there is but one Gladys Spellman and her expertise will be hard to duplicate. There is a saying that nobody is indispensableGladys Spellman Is.. All of us collectively who have had the privilege to know Mrs. Spellman are better citizens and better persons for that opportunity. Now it is our turn to afford her our support and our prayers.e
Date: 1981-03-03
Speaker: ST GERMAIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the opportunity on this sad occasion to be allowed to express a few sentiments concerning our dear colleague. Gladys Spellman. Gladys served on the House Committee on Banking. Finance and Urban Affairs. As a member of this committee. I have had the opportunity to work with and observe Gladys over the years she has been in Congress. Few individuals. if any. carried out their responsibilities to their constituents with greater skill or dedication then did our colleague. Gladys Spellman. Few individuals. if any. understood and had more compassion for the needs of the people of their district and the country. Few individuals. if any. understood fully. as did Gladys Spellman. the fact that by providing for the needs of individuals do we provide for the needs of all. Although Gladys Spellman served only a few years in the Congress. few people with much more service will have left a greater mark on this body. Her charm. her compassion. her sense of fairness and dedication to this institution will always be remembered by all of us. It is with sadness indeed that we will no longer have the opportunity to work with this great lady and accomplished legislator.e
Date: 1981-03-03
Speaker: ST GERMAIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speake. today I along with our colleague from Ohio. Mr. WYLIE. am introducing legislation to restrict the property and casualty insurance activities of bank holding companies. As many of you know. we have considered this issue actively for the last two Congresses. In 1978 the House approved a provision to limit bank holding company insurance activities but the issue was not resolved in the Senate given the end* oftheCongress legislative crunch. In the 96th Congress the Banking Committee again addressed the issue. The bill. H.R. 2255. was reported out of the committee early in 1980 and was passed by the House on June 12. 1980. by a vote of 333 yeas to 25 nays. The Senate Banking Committee held hearifgs on the bill and on July 31. 1980. reported the bill with amendments to the full Senate. However. the Senate did not act on the bill and it consequently was not enacted by the Congress. Recently the bill as it was reported by the Senate Banking Committee last year was introduced into the 97th Congress. With the introduction of the house bill today I am hopeful that this issue can be resolved in a timely fashion. The House of Representatives has a clear record on this issue. This bill is needed to insure that the Nations independent insurance agents do not suffer as a result of the economic power of the biggest financial conglomerates.e *
Date: 1981-03-04
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I decry the recent proposal by the administration calling for cutting medical programs for veterans. The proposal would immediately begin with the elimination of 5.000 medical personnel in fiscal 1982 and lead to a 20.000person reduction by 1986. This is far more than a wanteelimination proposal. it will directly and detrimentally affect healthcare treatment for veterans of our armed services. Moreover. this proposal contradicts the policy we heard during the Presidents message to Congress when the President assured the American people that veterans programs would not be cut. Medical care provided to veterans by the Veterans Administration comprises a vital part of the social safety net espoused by the administration. These proposed cuts. along with the cuts proposed for medicaid. will severely undermine the healthcare support system we have established for this group of Americans to whom our society is so Indebted. Mr. Speaker. I am proud to have served in our Armed Forces. I am particularly proud to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands in this Congress. because the young men and women who are my constituents have joined and served in the Armed Forces in proportionally greater numbers than most other regions of our United States. These people do not deserve to have their expectations for benefits dashed. We should not allow the promises our Government made to them to be broken. I urge my fellow Members to strongly resist any attempts by the President to cut medical services for veterans. or any other benefits relied on by those who have sacrificed to defend our country.
Date: 1981-03-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I would appreciate it if the majority leader would do so. I do not know of any need for the time. but I would like to have it. and if the majority leader desires to have it yielded back. I will be glad to do that.
Date: 1981-03-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. every year the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) comes to Washington to formally present its views to the Congress. I wish to submit for the RECORD Senator CRANSTONs statement to the group. given at this years annual meeting on February 24. Every Member of this body is aware of Senator CRANsToNs compassion and understanding in respondinr to the needs of our wartime veterans. There are now some 2.3 million veterans receiving serviceconnected disability compensation. Understandably. this program is of major importance to our Nations veterans. Senator CRANSTON. as chairman and now as ranking minority member of the Veterans Affairs Committee. has been an eloquent spokesman for those men and women who have endured hardship and sacrifice in the service of our country. His effective leadership has resulted in significant improvements in many different veterans programs. The statement follows:
Date: 1981-03-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. I only reserve the right to object to indicate for the REcORD that it was the majority leaders pronouncement earlier today that the Senate would only proceed but that it would not take further action on this measure today. Am I correct?
Date: 1981-03-05
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. reserving the right to object. I wonder whether the distinguished majority leader would substitute the name of Mr. DODD for the name of Mr. WILLIAMs.
Date: 1981-03-06
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. Prestdent. I am pleased to be able to report that the Senate made substantial progress last year in developing and passing small business legislation. Among the major bills that were enacted into law in this area in 1980 were: A requirement that Federal paperwork be cut by 25 percent within 3 years (Public Law 96511). A set of tight constraints on issuing Federal regulations. with a provision for a separate tier of lessdemanding standards for smaller businesses and small towns (Public Law 96354): An increase in strength for the Office of Advocacy at the Small Business Administration. to give small firms throughout the country a greater voice in making Government policies (Public Law 96302). and The most extensive securities deregulation In 40 years. to make it easier to raise venture capital (Public Law 96477). All of these new lawsas well as farreaching proposals on tax reduction. product liability relief. and innovation which were developed in the Senate last yearwill make the burden of Government on business lighter. As a result. the energies of our independent business community will be released to create new Jobs. products. and services. This activity will greatly benefit the Nations economy. We have come a long way in addressing the pressing problems of small business. and in resolving many of the most important ones. These advances could not have been realized without the hard work of the Democratic Task Force on Small Business. Their ability to formulate a broad range of legislation. and willingness to hold hearings and advocate and manage these bills made the critical difference. Gaylord Nelson. who chaired the task force. and the other members of that group deserve tremendous cr edit for their fruitful efforts. This year leadership of the Democrats on the Small Business Committee has passed to the able hands of SAM NUNN. I am confident that under his guidance. and with strong bipartisan participation. the Senate will continue to work for legislation to help the 14 million owners of small businesses and family farms in this country.*
Date: 1981-03-10
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Madam President. I was saddened to learn that. at approximately 745 a.m. today. Mary Katherine Babb Randolph. the wife of our distinguished colleague Senator JENNINGS RANDOLPH. died after a lengthy illness. I am sure that all Senators join me in extending to Senator RANDOLPH and his family our deepest condolences. As is the case with so many Senators wives. Mrs. Randolph possessed a brilliance and creativity in her own right. Throughout her long illness. she continued to be a valued helpmate to Senator RANDOLPH and an inspiration to all who knew and admired her. Mrs. Randolph belonged to a politi. cally active and prominent West Virginia family. Her grandfather had been State auditor and Republican candidate for Governor. An uncle served in both houses of the West Virginia State Legislature. And her father was mayor of her hometown. Keyser. and had been a member of the Board of Governors of West Virginia University. Prior to her marriage to JENNINGS RANDOLPH. Mary Katherine Babb had achieved a wide reputation as a social worker. She was renowned for the tenncity and compassion she displayed in taking care of orphaned and abandoned children in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia as an employee of the State Board of Childrens Guardianrs. Known as "The Welfare Lady." she "compassed Heaven and Earth" in search of her charges. traveling by train. car. bus. and riverboat. and even fording mountain streams on foot in remote rural areas. looking for children in need. In 1933. shortly after his election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Mary Katherine Babb married JENNINGS RANDOLPH. In the course of her husbands career in the House and Senate. and in the private sector. Mrs. Randolph became the friend and confidant of numerous congressional and senatorial wives. and was closely associated with Eleanor Roosevelt and seven subsequent First LadiesBess Truman. Mamile Eisenhower. Jacqueline Kennedy. Lady Bird Johnson. Pat Nixon. Betty Ford. and Rosalynn Carter. Mrs. Randolph was a unique embodiment of grace and achievement. brilliance and sensitivity. Her friends in Washington and West Virginia will genuinely miss her. Madam President. my wife. Erma joins me in extending our thoughts and sympathies to Senator RANDOLPH. and his sons. Jay and Prank as we share in their loss. February 18 had been the Randolphs 48th wedding anniversary. and last Sunday was Senator RANDOteIs 79th birthday. Though we mourn the passing of Mrs. Randolph. we can be thankful for the long and rich union of these two friends of ours who have contributed so much to Washington. West Virginia. and America. We shall not soon forget the kindness and courage of Mrs. Randolph. and we count it a privilege to have known her.
Date: 1981-03-10
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I have no further use for the time that has been allotted to me under the order and the time that has been yielded to me by the distinguished majority leader. and I therefore yield it back.
Date: 1981-03-10
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

such recommendations having been transmitted to Congress by the President. and I ask unanimous consent that they be placed on the calendar.
Date: 1981-03-10
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Madam President. I extend my thanks to the distinguished majority leader for his courtesy in molding the request which he has just made to conform with the necessities on this side of the aisle.
Date: 1981-03-10
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Madam President. I think most of us agree with President Reagans stated objective that we do not want any government coming into power in El Salvador owing allegiance to Havana or Moscow. However. I think we also should agree that totalitarianism. regardless of its coloration. is an anathema to the United States. Therefore. I was disappointed with the Presidents reluctance during his press conference last Friday to state unequivocally that all military and economic aid would be cut off to El Salvador if a rightwing coup toppled the government of Jose Napoleon Duarte. This administration has spent considerable time and effort to enlist the sympathy and support of our friends and allies for halting the flow of arms to the leftist elements in El Salvador. Yet. little has been said of the clandestine flow of arms to rightest elements in El Salvador. some of it coming from the Salvadoran exile community in the United States. I think few would disagree that the threat to the Duarte government from the right is as real as the threat from the left. Mr. President. I think it would be a mistake for U.S. policy throughout this hemisphere if we did not make it perfectly clear that rightwing terrorism is as unacceptable to us as leftwing terrorism. Our efforts in El Salvador are to foster moderation in the hope that eventually a truly pluralistic society can emerge from that strifetorn society. Yet. we undercut that effort if the focus of our concern is only on the left. By refusing to clearly spell out that a rightwing coup would be unaccpetable to us and would result in an immediate air cutoff. we are sending the signal that a rightwing government would be preferable. Therefore. I think it is imperative that we lay it on the line with the right as well. so there is not any misperception of U.S. Intentions should they undertake a coup. I think having done so. the Presidents stated policy of supporting the forces of moderation in El Salvador will be strengthened and will be received with a much higher degree of credibility MJar*ch 10. 1981 COD throughout the hemisphere than is now the case.
Date: 1981-03-10
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I take the floor at this time to ask the distinguished majority leader what the program is for the rest of the day and for the rest of the week. If he would enlighten us. -
Date: 1981-03-10
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

In the alternative. if the Senate does not complete both of those measures. will there then be a session on Friday?
Date: 1981-03-10
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. on March 4. I attended a dinner given by the West Virginia Society in honor of Congressman Harley Staggers S 1974 Col of West Virginia. On that occasion. Col. John F. Nicholas. Jr.. a member of the West Virginia Society in the District of Columbia and delegate to the National Association of State Societies. offered a prayer which those of us who have chosen public service should find to be particularly applicable and inspiring. I ask unanimous consent that Colonel Nicholas prayer be printed In the RECORD.
Date: 1981-03-11
Speaker: WILLIAM J. COYNE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. March 15 marks the fourth anniversary of the imprisonment of Anatoly Shcharansky. I want to join my fellow colleagues today in expressing my deep concern over the plight of Mr. Shcharansky. Anatoly Shcharansky was born in 1948. He graduated from the Moscow Institutes physics department of computers and applied mathematics inf June 1972. Mr. Shcharansky was denied a visa in the early 1970s by Soviet authorities on the grounds that it was against state interests. This. despite the fact that he has never engaged in any sensitive work. From that time on Anatoly Shcharansky was unable to obtain employment. Anatoly and Avital Shcharansky were married in July 1974. Mrs. Shcharansky was forced to emigrate to Israel shortly after their wedding. She now lives in Jerusalem. hoping that someday soon her husband will be permitted to join her. Mr. Shcharansky joined other Jewish activitists in 1976 to establish the Moscow Watch Committee. which attempted to monitor Soviet compliance with the Helsinki agreements. He was accused in the Soviet newspaper Izvestia. of working for the Central Intelligence Agency. Anatoly *Shcharansky was picked up by the security police in March 1977 and was held incommunicado in Moscows Lefortovo Prison until his trial in July of 1978. He was convicted of treason. espionage and. antiSoviet agitation and subsequently sentenced to 3 years in prison followed by 10 years in a labor camp. Ida Milgrom. mother of Anatoly Shcharansky. recently received a letter from her son dated February 2. 1981. In it he told her that all meetings with family members have been canceled for 1981. and instead of two letters per month as previously permitted. he may now write only one every 2 months. The treatment of Anatoly Shcharansky is in blatant violation of the Helsinki agreement. I urge the Soviet Union to comply with the Helsinski agreements and release Anatoly Shcharansky.e
Date: 1981-03-12
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: 1981-03-12
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I announce that the Senator from California . the Senator from Massachusetts . and the Senator from Louisiana . are necessarily absent. I further announce that. if present and voting. the Senator from California would vote tnay."
Date: 1981-03-12
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

I announce that the Senator from California . the Senator from Massachusetts and the Senator from Louisiana are necessarily absent. I further announce that. if present and voting. the Senator from California
Date: 1981-03-12
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. room 8210 in the U.S. Capitol is known as the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Room. There is a plaque to that end hanging in that room. but the room was never formally designated the J. F. K. Room by the Senate itself. I have asked the Rules Committee to research this to be sure that I was correct and the Rules Committee informs me that that is correct. I believe that only the Senate should designate rooms in the Capitol by names. Accordingly. therefore. I am going to offer an amendment that will name the room 8210 the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Room. In that regard. Mr. President. room S211 has long been known as the Lyndon Baines Johnson Room. His picture hangs therein. There is a plaque. I believe. so designating the room. But. here again. the room was not designated the Lyndon Baines Johnsoi. Room by the Senate. Again. I think the Senate should make that determination. I. therefore. send an amendment to the desk which will formally name 8210 in the U.S. Capitol as the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Room and formally designate Room 8211 in the U.S. Capitol as the Lyndon Baines Johnson Room.
Date: 1981-03-12
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I thank the distinguished Senator. I should point out that the plaques that are presently in the J. F. K. Room and the L. B. J. Room were paid for and the moneys for those plaques were taken out of the contingency fund of the Senate. I did not name either of the rooms. and I am not complaining or criticizing anyone else for having named the rooms. I join with the distinguished majority leader that no majority leader should have the authority to name any room in the Capitol. I think this is the property of all of the citizens and I think it should be the Senate itself which should have the authority to name a room after any Senator. living or deceased. The two rooms that I have mentioned have long been known as the J. F. K. Room and the L. B. J. Room. If this resolution is not passed. they will continue to be called the L. B. J. and the J. F. K. Room. I thought that we should do the matter in the proper way. Both plaques were paid for in 1964 and nobody has ever raised any questions about it. I am sure that the majority leader. or majority leaders. whichever the case may have been. who named those rooms certainly did not intend to arrogate any authority to himself that was not proper. I think he must have named them because he felt that it was appropriate. I happen to believe that the Senate ought to do the naming of the rooms. I think that. inasmuch as those names have already been named as they areI do not know of any Senator who would want to take away those designationsit ought to be done in a formal and correct way. I join with the majority leader in stating that we think this is the way it should be done.
Date: 1981-03-12
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I thank the Senator. I congratulate him on his dedication to principle and on his concern that the rooms of the Capitol. numbered as they are. limited in number as they are. should not be named without great consideration and appropriate forethought by the appropriate committees. That has been done in this instance with respect to the resolution which is on the calendar. This resolution. numbered differently but with the same content. was on the calendar during the last Congress. For reasons that I do not mind stating. there were objections to proceeding to take up the resolution. Some of those objections were voiced to me from both sides of the aisle so I did not call up the resolution. But it has been cleared at this time. For the record. may I say I took the matter up. I asked the distinguished majority leader not to call up this resolution on Tuesday of this week because I wanted to take it up before the caucus of Democrats. along with other matters. on yesterday. I took it up before the Democrats and no Senator in that group indicated he wanted to offer an amendment. So. as far as this side of the aisle is concerned. the matter has been appropriately handled and has gone through the appropriate committee process. It has been taken up with my colleagues on this side of the aisle. I thank the distinguished majority leader for his indulgence in allowing the time necessary to proceed as I have indicated. As to the L. B. J. and J. F. K. Rooms. I have already stated that those rooms have been so named. They were designated by the majority leader who was my predecessor. I simply want the Senate to put its stamp of approval on what has already become a de facto situation. as the majority leader pointed out..