macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-21
Speaker: LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to remember the men. women. and children who lost their lives in the September 11. 2001 terrorist attacks on America and to honor the heroic efforts of our first responders on that fateful day. It is more than fitting that the resolution before us today remember the innbcent victims of September 11 and pay tribute to the countless first responders who at their own peril responded to the horror of that day. It is unfortunate then that the Republican leadership has chosen this solemn time to play politics and divide this House by inserting into this legislation references to several controversial and partisan pieces of legislation. It is true that Democrats and Republican disagree over the policies of the administration and the Republican leadership. These policy differences include the Republican budget cuts in time of war. the failure to ensure the safety of our seaports. the failure to fully inspect aviation cargo against terrorist attacks. and the failure to provide our first responders with critical resources and equipment to adequately respond to a disaster. It is also true that Democrats have a new direction to address these and other security concerns and the failures of this administration to adequately prepare our country for another large scale disaster. But the Republican leadership dishonors the spirit of this solemn anniversary by including divisive language in this resolution. Controversial issues. such as certain provisions of the PATRIOT Act and the Border Protection Act. have no place in a resolution that commemorates the events of September 11. 2001. And I deeply regret that my Republican colleagues have unnecessarily cast a shadow on this solemn anniversary. On the fifth anniversary of the September attacks. let us remember 9/11 not with political shenanigans but by respectfully remembering those who lost their lives and by honoring them with legislation that provides real homeland security for the families and friends they left behind and all Americans.
Date: 2006-09-21
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise in support of H. Res. 982 which offers this Chambers support for National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness week. This year. National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week occurs September 18 through September 22 and gives us a time to reflect on the need for the increased education and awareness needed to promote early detection and the proper treatment of this disease. Peripheral arterial disease. which is a narrowing of the arteries that results in reduced blood flow to the limbs. affects between 8 million and 12 million Americans. Americans suffering from peripheral arterial disease find themselves at increased risk for heart attack. stroke and lower limb amputation. Unfortunately. most cases of peripheral arterial disease are asymptomatic. causing too many Americans not to know that they have the condition. That is why this resolution and this Chambers support for National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Week are so important. If we can shed light on this devastating disease. more Americans will become educated about their risk factors and get the party detection and treatment to avoid the painful heart attacks. strokes and amputations that too often befall our loved ones. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this important resolution. E1795
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise to explain my votes in opposition to H.R. 5059 and H.R. While I agree with the substance of these bills. I strongly opposed the decision of the House Republican leadership to use these important bills as part of an effort to play politics with the environment. The Republicans had an opportunity to vote on the New England Wilderness Act . bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate last week that would designate wilderness areas in both New Hampshire and Vermont. Instead they chose to separate the New Hampshire wilderness areas into two pieces of legislation and refused to include the Vermont wilderness in either bill. They apparently did this to hand a victory to the Republican representative from New Hampshire but deny Rep. SANDERS a legislative win on the eve of his upcoming Senate election in Vermont. Shame on them. By putting these bills on the Suspension Calendar. the Republican leadership ensured that wilderness bills in New England will not be signed into law this year as it is virtuallig impossible to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate bills given the amount of time left in this legislative session. The New England Wilderness Act enjoys the full backing of the two states bicameral. tripartisan delegation. It is disappointing that in the final days of this Congress. Republicans are abusing their power and the American people are paying the price.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. at the outset. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia . even though he is in support of the bill.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. let me thank my colleague from Michigan. the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. Mr. CONYERS. for his leadership on this and for pointing out the law enforcement agencies that are opposed to this important legislation and in favor of the arguments that we put forth in opposition. And. again. I just cite from David DiBetta. who is the president of Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association ATF division. who said: "This bill would be crippling to their efforts to enforce our gun laws."
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I also rise in support of this legislation. H.R. 3508. and commend Chairman DAVIS and Representative NORTON for working to bring this important bill to the floor today. In addition to the items that the chairman mentioned. I would just add that it also contains a requirement that all legislation passed by the D.C. Council be accompanied by a fiscal impact statement. It deals with provisions that would revise the pay cap for nonjudicial court employees to make them more consistent with the .way Federal court employees are paid and reimbursed in the Federal system. It also provides additional budget flexibility authorizing the District to continue spending up to 6 percent of its own funds of unappropriated funds throughout the fiscal year without coming to Congress to be a part of the annual supplementations process. Again. I commend the chairman for his leadership. as well as Ms. NORTON. I urge the adoption of the legislation. H6980 cc
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I think it is very important and appropriate that we recognize the sacrifice and service of Captain Petty and Major Hecker in this way. I urge adoption of thisresolution. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. It is appropriate we recognize Curt Gowdy in this way. We know he was the voice of the Red Sox. as well as the announcer on many other sports events. Mr. Speaker. I urge adoption of this bill. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I also urge my colleagues to support this resolution. where we recognize the PGA of Ameridas efforts to spread the game of golf and also for the PGAs many charitable works and their efforts to expand and -include more people in the game of golf.- both through their work with the Special Olympics. as well as their reaching out to people who have served our country in the Armed Forces overseas. Also I would like to note that they have served our troops through programs such as their partnership with the National Amputee Golf Association. which offers golfing activities for wounded soldiers. These are just a few of the many programs that have been offered by PGA of America and the PGA Foundation. I urge adoption of the resolution.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I also commend Mr. FOLEY for his leadership on this issue. and yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. for thousands of Americans. a doctors diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is a devastating occasion that can send patients and their families into a whirlwind of depression and despair. Every year. more than 33.000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. and even more startling is the fact that the overwhelming majority of those patients will die of pancreatic cancer. Only about 4 percent are currently expected to live beyond 5 years. As Mr. DAVIS said. pancreatic cancer *is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the United States. After years of research. we are not significantly closer to understanding what causes pancreatic cancer. Most cancers are caused by environmental. dietary or lifestyle factors. and most pancreatic cancer is believed to be no different. However. the specific link between the onset of pancreatic cancer and any one or a combination of these extraneous factors has yet to be determined. A significant body of research is developing around a possible hereditary link in pancreatic cancer. but even the results of these studies have shown that only 5 to 10 percent of cases have genetic links. Although awareness of cancers prevalence" in the United States improves and medical advances in the field abound. pancreatic cancer has largely been absent from the list of major success stories. Surgical procedures may have. increased the. survival chances of some with the disease. but there has been little momentum in advancing diagnostics o.r nonsurgical oncological treatments beyond palliative care. Mr. Speaker. I think this is an important piece of legislation that draws attention to this devastating disease. We need to make people more aware of it. We also need to make sure that the National Institutes of Health has the resources necessary to continue to work toward finding cures and treatments for pancreatic cancer. all cancers. and so many other devastating diseases that hurt and strike families across our country every year. I urge adoption of this resolution. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to join with the gentleman from Virginia in urging our colleagues to support this resolution. I think it is a fitting way to recognize the distinguished public service of Harry Parrish. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I dont know if it is appropriate just by unanimous consent to keep going with the other resolutions until Mr. WOLF arrives and set this aside momentarily?
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I think it is fitting that we honor the service of Alice Brusich to the postal service by naming this post office in her honor. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to join the chairman of the Government Reform Committee in recommending that our colleagues support this legislation to name this post office in honor of Dorothy and Connie Hibbs for their service. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. let me just again commend Mr. ISRAEL of New York for his leadership on this issue and bringing attention to the disease myositis. Again. as he said. it is important as we raise national awareness about these diseases that we also provide the resources necessary to the NIH and other researchers who are doing important work to find cures and treatments for these diseases. It is absolutely essential that we invest as a Nation in that very important effort and provide them with the resources they need. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I would commend Mr. WOLF for recognizing the service of Harry Parrish in this way. I assure him strong bipartisan support. and I have enjoyed working with him on both sides of the Potomac River on issues of importance to both jurisdictiong. Mr. Speaker. I yield~back the balance of my time.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. as Mr. DAVIS said. Mo Udall was a beloved figure in this country and this Congress. He was a great American. a great Member of Congress. He dedicated himself to preserving our great natural resources and open spaces in this country. protecting our environment. and he had a very quick wit which I think brought smiles to both sides of the aisle. even for those who were sometimes the target of that wit. I want to commend my colleague. the gentleman from Arizona . for deciding to introduce this resolution to recognize the wonderful national contributions of Mo Udall. Mr. Speaker. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona .
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. -Speaker. I urge my colleagues to support this bill as well. and I yield back the balanceof my time.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I also urge our colleagues to support this resoldtion. I want to commend the gentleman from New York . our colleague. for introducing this resolution and recognizing the service of Dr. Stavisky in this way. Mr. Speaker. I yield to him the balance of my time.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding. You ask a very important question: What have we done? I think that answer came to us in the form of a thirdparty validator in the form of the New York Times on Sunday with the headline. "Spy Agency Says Iraq War Worsens Terrorism .Threat." The national. intelligence estimate. which is a conglomerate report of all of the spy agencies that operate inside the U.S. Government. and they attribute literally a more direct role to the Iraq war in fueling radicalism than that presented in either White House documents or in a report released last Wednesday by our House Intelligence Committee. Essentially. it asserts that Islamic radicalism. rather than being in retreat. has metastasized. the words in the report. and spread across the globe. We are literally in a situation now where we have our good friends on the other side of the aisle trying desperately to articulate that they are stronger on national security when .every day brings more and more bad news for them in terms of where we are versus where we were 5 years ago. If you recall. a couple of weeks ago we talked about on this floor everywhere we all went on September 11. Our constituents asked us. so are we safer? Are we safer this September 11 and beyond than we were on September 11 5 years ago? I have not seen a more damning assessment with a resounding "no" as an answer than this one. Add to that your question of what have we done. There are so many reports we could spend the entire hour just on the whole issue of -the lack of troops that we have in Iraq and Afghanistan. the assessments that our military experts are doing and desperate messages that they appear to be sending to the administration that are going unheeded. One colonel said his unit equipment levels have fallen so low that they now had no tanks or other armored vehicles to use in training and that his soldiers were rated as largely untrained in attack and defense. That is one of our colonels fighting in Iraq. That is just absolutely inexcusable. It would be different under the Democrats. We would implement our real security plan. We would make sure that the equipment that our troops need would be funded and provided. We would make sure that we have a plan 7t get us through the war. make sure that we stand up to Iraqi troops and have a phased withdrawal of American troops. and that there would be an end in sight.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. DELAHUNT. we talked a couple weeks ago about that handshake and how in the years that I was growing up. that
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

this is not something as it relates to the Democrats proving a point. This is not about proving a point. This is about America. This is about the United States of America. This is about the safety of United States citizens and those that live within the borders of the United States and those that are abroad of our future. and better yet this administration is saying. stay the course with very little or no oversight
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

And you are absolutely right. Mr. MEEK. And we have our interests and we have our intelligence experts saying that staying the course is the wrong approach because we are getting worse not better in terms of the results that we are getting over there. We have our military experts. our generals. that I know Mr. DELAHUNT has the commentary from the generals that ran the operations in Iraq lined up and ready to walk us through. We try to talk about this. This is not. you know. it would be very easy for us to come out on the floor andtalk about what DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZs opinion is. KENDRICK MEEKS. TIM RYAN. BILL DELAHUNT. we are citing the experts. the intelligence experts. the military experts.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

It just does not have to be this way. We have a real security plan that we will implement. After November 7. our Democratic leader. Ms. PELOSI. who will be the* Speaker. who will be the Speaker of this House of Representatives. talks about in the first 100 hours. we will pass legislation that will implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations. That we will make sure that we provide our troops with the equipment that they need. that we will provide the region with the number of troops necessary to get the job done so that we can stand the Iraqi troops up and withdraw our troops. and make sure that we begin to withdraw from the region and develop a plan to make sure that it can sustain itself. It -is just mind boggling that they support a stay the course concept. We have got to implement the plan that is going to work. instead of continuing down this path to absolute chaos.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

So now what we have in summary is the Director of National Intelligence. John Negroponte. who has signed off on this National Intelligence Estimate and said that he agrees with the conglomerate of intelligence agencies who have determined that we are worse off than we were before we entered Iraq and that Iraq has made us worse. and we have our 9/11 Commission chairs. the bipartisan 9/11 Commission chairs who on September 11 reissued their opinion. that they had issued a report card on their recommendations last December which included 10 Cs. 12 Ds and 4 Fs. "What we argued then." they said. "is still true now. Americans are safer. but we are not yet safe." Well. that was the September 11 assessment. Now the National Intelligence Estimate indicates that. no. we are not safer. We were not safe and we are not safer. Here are some of the items that the 9/11 Commission indicated that we should implement that have not been implemented in the 5 years since 9/11. Allocate funding on the basis of risks and vulnerabilities. We havent done that. We have not created and rehearsed State and local emergency response plans. We have not turned over the broadcast frequencies to first responders now. like we should. instead of in 2009 when the plans are to do that. We have not shut down the turf battles. nor increased information sharing among government agencies. The list goes on and on. There were dozens of recommendations that they made. the majority of which have not been implemented. Both the bipartisan cochairs have come together- repeatedly to say. why has this Congress not moved forward with the recommendations? If we take control of this body. as we hope to on November 7. Mr. Speaker. we will implement the 9/11 recommendations. we will implement our Real Security Plan. we will commit to moving this country in a new direction. instead of continuing on the staythecourse mentality. We have got to make sure that we go in the direction that the American people have called for. which is to make sure that we arent interminably mired in the chaos in Iraq. that every single day we dont see more and more of our young men and women killed by suicide bombers and by accidents and by deliberate bombings. All for what? That is what I think the vast majority of -Americans are asking themselves every single day. is why are we there? What are we fighting for? Is it worth it? That is why poll after. after poll comes back where Americans say they dont think the Iraq war was worth it. They certainly wanted us to go into Afghanistan. They certainly wanted us to go in and finish the job there. to hunt Osama bin Laden down and find him. But we dont even have enough troops on the ground in- Afghanistan right now to get that done. That just isnt even possible at this -point.
Date: 2006-09-25
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. MEEK. the sergeant major you are referring to generally. that is the guy you will never see under the direction and control of this institution because they. "they" being our Republican colleagues on the other side of the aisle.
Date: 2006-09-26
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I thank the chairman. Chairman ROGERS. and Congressman MEEK. Mr. Speaker. I would like to paraphrase the great Frederick Douglass. who reminded us that we may not get all that we have worked for. however. we will work for all that we get. Clearly. we have worked to get more Border Patrol agents. It is important that we do so. At the rate of 33 to 1. 66.000 before we can get 2.000. it will take a considerable amount of time to get the number of agents needed. So we should work and we have worked for more Border Patrol agents. However. the record should also reflect. Mr. Speaker.. that we have worked for more Customs and border protection officers. They are the people that inspect people as well as cargo at ports of entry. They are the persons who caught the Millennium Bomber. They need help. too. I thank the chairman for his indication that we will move in that direction. This bill is not all that we have worked for. but it is all that we can get right now. and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. I thank the chairman and Congressman MEEK.