macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-11
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of House Resolution 1294. expressing support for designation of the first Saturday in May as National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day. to honor those who are serving and those who have served in the noble and self- sacrificing profession of explosive ordnance disposal in the United States Armed Forces. Although clearly a work of Hollywood drama meant for entertainment purposes. the Academy Awardwinning film. "The Hurt Locker." has brought new attention to our Nations EOD technicians. While the action shown in this film is intense and very gripping. there is no question that when it comes to explosive ordnance disposal. truth is even more compelling than fiction. For this reason. I. along with my colleague from Oklahoma. Representative BOREN. introduced House Resolution 1294. to recognize the real contributions that explosive ordnance disposal technicians have made to our Nations military since the United States first began its bomb disposal program over 69 years ago. On average. there are over 4.000 brave men and women serving as explosive ordnance disposal technicians within the four services. EOD techs are responsible for the location. identification. neutralization. and disposal of hazardous explosive items and devices. They are on the front lines in the global war on terrorism. protecting their fellow troops from conventional explosives. nuclear weapons. and improvised explosive devices. As my constituent and the executive director of the EOD Memorial Foundation explains. EOD technicians "are people who voluntarily take that long walk into uncertainty" every time they go to dispose of a bomb. This resolution also supports observing the first Saturday in May as National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day. This date was selected to coincide with the annual EOD Memorial Ball. This years ball. which happens to have been the 42nd annual one. was held in Fort Walton Beach. Florida. on May 1. and I understand that it was a wonderful success. selling out all of the tickets that were available. Because the EOD Memorial Foundation is headquartered in my district in Webster. Florida. I have had the great honor to meet many of these warriors. I have learned that the ties that bind the EOD community together extend far beyond the battlefield. The EOD community is a family. and when even one part of that family is lost. the rest of them come together to support and assist those left behind. In 2009. 16 EOD technicians lost their lives serving our Nation in battle. Another EOD warrior was killed taking apart an IED just within the last week. This resolution honors those men and women who courageously. selflessly. and graciously face the real dangers posed by traditional and improvised explosives. With that. I urge my colleagues to join myself and Mr. BOREN in honoring those American warriors and supporting House Resolution 1294.
Date: 2010-05-12
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Today. Id like to congratulate the players and coaches of the Allen Americans Hockey Team for capturing the Southern Conference championship title. This is the first time a firstseason team has accomplished this. After a stellar inaugural. winning season. the minor league hockey team earned a slot in the playoffs. They won two playoff series against Laredo and Odessa. Their final postseason game against the Rapid City Rush ended in a double overtime battle. Its no surprise they sent four players up to the American Hockey League. The Allen Americans play at the Allen Event Center. and folks should be proud to have such an accomplished. dedicated team representing their community. Ive seen themand theyre good. I had the privilege of cheering on the Americans last season and I look forward to attending more games in the future. I wish the team and its players all the best. Congratulations. God bless you. I salute you. As the fans like to cheer: Dread the Red!
Date: 2010-05-12
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Madam Speaker. I want to thank my friend. Mr. PERLMUTTER. for reminding us of the Clinton years. I was elected to Congress when President Clinton was elected President. Two years later. we. the Republicans. captured the majority here in the Congress. and I remember how we had to fight tooth and nail to balance the budget. President Clinton never submitted a budget with a deficit less than $200 billion a year. I remember ad infinitum his budgets at least had $200 billion of deficits. It used to be. Madam Speaker. that $200 billion was a lot of money for a deficit. And I remember how this Congress had to fight day in and day out. and we finally achieved. in very arduous negotiations with the executive. a balanced budget. So thats the record. I would like. at this point. to yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished ranking member of the Rules Committee from California .
Date: 2010-05-12
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Madam Speaker. we have great differences. great disagreements often here on the floor of this House. Rare is the occasion when there is no debate. when there are no differences. Muftiah McCartin enjoys the admiration of all Members on both sides of the aisle who have worked with her. She personifies the best of this institution. She personifies competence. professionalism. and courtesy. And as someone who has had the privilege of working with her. I thank her for her service and commend her for her professionalism. competence. and that courtesy. So the best to you. Muftiah. and your family as you move on to other endeavors. You are an example of the wonderful men and women who have through the years made possible what this Congress gets accomplished. And so I join all of my colleagues in wishing Muftiah the best. I yield 3 minutes to my distinguished friend and colleague from Georgia. Dr. BROUN.
Date: 2010-05-12
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I thank my friend. Mr. PERLMUTTER. for his courtesy and for his management on the majority side of this rule. While reiterating that I am so pleased that Members on both sides of the aisle have joined to commend and wish the best to Muftiah McCartin. with regard to the legislation that we are bringing to the floor with this rule. I would say. Mr. Speaker. while not minimizing its importance because I think its obviously dealing with a very important set of subjects that enjoy bipartisan support in this Congress. I would bring to the attention once again of all Members what we saw last week with legislation onI believe it was a $6 billion tax credit to allowI remember it was a credit for home refurbishings. brought to the floor by my good friend Mr. WELCH. And I noticed at that time aI think it was a change in attitude. I was impressed. I was certainly impacted by what I perceived as a change in the Congress on what normally I think would have faced little opposition. Certainly it would have been expected that that legislation would have faced little opposition. We sawwhat I saw. what I perceived was a ground swell of concern on the spending. You know. refurbishing ones home and encouraging citizens to refurbish their homes to keep them energy efficient. you know. thats not something that in itself would have opposition. It was the spending that touched a nerve because of the moment were living. And so with the legislation that we bring to the floor today that is being increased from the basic spending by about $20 billion. I certainly would not be surprised if we see a similar nerve being touched. That doesnt mean that the subject is not of great importance. Science. education. keeping the U.S. leading edge. cutting edge in so many ways. that is obviously something that has enjoyed bipartisan support. and it should. But I think the majority is failing to sense that moment that the Nation at large and the Congress now is finally manifesting or reacting to. There is concern about the path we are on with regard to spending. Having said that. I again thank Mr. PERLMUTTER for his courtesy and management of this rule. as well as thanking all who have participated in this debate today. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-05-12
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

I thank my dear friend Ms. RosLEHTINEN and also my friend Mr. ENGEL for their help in getting this resolution to the floor and their strong support of this important resolution. I take this opportunity. Mr. Speaker. to congratulate the United Kingdoms new Prime Minister. David Cameron. as he. as head of the Conservative Party. forms a new government with the Liberal Democrats. We wish him and all of the British people all the best. Its important that we in Congress take the time to recognize that great friend and ally of the United States. It is important that we recognize the special friendship and all that the United Kingdom has done to stand with the United States. This resolution recognizes the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States. It points out the strong influence that English philosophers. economists. jurists and other leaders have had on American political thought. on the United States legal system and on our government. This strong special relationship. founded on our shared history. continues into the modern day. The United Kingdom has repeatedly demonstrated the strength of its camaraderie with the United States. Within the last decade. the United Kingdom joined forces with us against the Taliban as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. and U.K. soldiers have fought alongside American soldiers in Iraq. The United Kingdom has suffered a tragic loss of life as a result. As of March. 273 U.K. military and civilian personnel have given their lives in Afghanistan. and 179 have given the last full measure of devotion in Iraq. I am very proud. Mr. Speaker. to have introduced this resolution. highlighting the strong ties that bind our countries together. The United Kingdom is a great friend and ally of the United States. Reflecting on our relationship. Winston Churchill said. "In this century of storm and tragedy. I contemplate with high satisfaction the constant factor of the interwoven and upward progress of our peoples. Our comradeship and our brotherhood in war were unexampled. We stood together. and because of that fact. the free world now stands. Nor has our partnership any exclusive nature: the Atlantic community is a dream that can well be fulfilled to the detriment of none and to the enduring benefit and honor of the great democracies." During the most trying times in the history of the United States. we have had no truer friend than the United Kingdom. I sincerely hope that our futures will continue to reflect our histories. deepen our friendship and continually refresh our commitment to the shared values of the rule of law and democratic principles. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important and. I believe. timely resolution.
Date: 2010-05-13
Speaker: TIM MURPHY (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsylvania

Madam Speaker. when it comes to exploring for Earths natural resources. there can be no compromise on safety. The recent catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico reminds us that the safety of our workers and the environment cannot be taken for granted. There are 3.500 oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Accidents are extremely rare. and our goal needs to be zero tolerance. We are better off having high standards and drilling for our own oil than crossing our fingers and hoping that other countries will adhere to our standards. We have to pursue safe drilling. and use our own resources to clean our air. land. and water. The U.S. can reap between $2.2 trillion and $3.7 trillion in revenues and use our own offshore oil and gas to fund cleaning up our Nations waterways. build energy efficient transportation systems. and invest in clean coal. nuclear. wind. solar. geothermal. and other renewable energy sources. H.R. 2227 does just that. We create millions of jobs. dont borrow money from China. stop sending billions to OPEC. and dont raise taxes. So instead of running up record deficits. instead of having millions without jobs. lets get Americans back to work and pass H.R. 2227. the American Conservation and Clean Energy Independence Act. America cant keep waiting.
Date: 2010-05-18
Speaker: LAMAR SMITH (republican)
Chamber: H

who serves on the Judiciary Committee. told to a group of us last week. a statistic that he produced. which is very eye opening. We are criticized by the United Nations. We are criticized by China. We are being criticized by Russia. We are being criticized by EU countries over there about our horrible immigration policy. Over the past year. we have brought in legally through the legal process in this country over 1 million immigrants. By the way. that number and more has been going on for just about as far as you can look back in time and see in this country. More than 1 million came into this country last year. You say. why do I mention that? What is the big deal about that number? I have news for you. my colleagues. here it is: That number equals more immigration than all the rest of the world combined. So these people that are criticizing the United States and our citizens. who are acting like we should look to some others as example. there are no other great examples of people who welcome immigrants but the United States because the United States by itself welcomes more than all the rest of the world put together. Now. that ought to make us stop looking at ourselves as evil people. We. through a legal process. bring in more immigrants to our country and welcome them to be lawabiding citizens and come here and help make our country what its always been. the great melting pot of America. and we do it legally. And they wait their turn. They get in line. They fill out the paperwork. They pay the fees. They do all that it takes to get here legally. and they are legal immigrants. and there are more of them than all the rest of the world combined has in their countries. added together. With that as our premise. that we are not evil people. we are people who care about immigrants. Id like to yield such time as my friend. ROB BISHOP from Utah. would like to spend in discussing this matter.
Date: 2010-05-19
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Last week we learned that Uncle Sam ran up the largest deficit for April ever. Equally alarming is that our deficit is being financed by countries such as China. our biggest holder of U.S. Government debt. Equally important. a former Chinese military official recently suggested the Chinese should consider dumping U.S. treasuries in response to the recent Pentagon decision to sell defensive weapon systems to Taiwan. To raise awareness of the threat to our economy and national security of our exploding deficit and debt. yesterday I introduced the ForeignHeld Debt Transparency and Threat Assessment Act. This bill would require a better accounting of debt held by foreign countries and. more importantly. require the President to submit a plan to cut spending should either a particular foreign creditor or the overall debt pose a risk to the national security interests of America. We must not let any other country hold our national and economic interests hostage.
Date: 2010-05-19
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Madam Speaker. I rise to pay tribute to the Salvation Army. and to honor its 125th anniversary in the Sacramento region today on The founder and first general of the Salvation Army. William Booth. was born in economic and spiritual poverty. yet he founded a worldwide organization dedicated to their eradicationan organization that now serves the neediest of the needy in 120 countries. In 1865. the Salvation Army began in the East Side of London. and several years later General Booth sent a few of his followers to establish army roots in America. In 1885. Major Alfred Wells arrived in Sacramento with the determination to follow the lead of General Booth by ministering to anyone in need. Back then. there were many families and individuals looking for work. looking for food and looking for hope. Fast forward to the present time125 years laterand the Salvation Army is still in Sacramento. still reaching out to people who need assistance with jobs. food. and of course. hope. Today. on May 19. 2010. the Salvation Army marks 125 years of service to Sacramento. As they look to the future. they know times may become even more challenging. And yet. they are ready to accept that challenge. Nothing will deter the Salvation Army from continuing its service to the Sacramento community. Over the years as the needs of the Sacramento region have changed. the armys programs in Sacramento have reflected those needs. There have been shelter programs for men. women. and families. rehabilitation programs for those overcoming alcohol or drug problems. programs for emergency and disaster response. and disaster preparedness training. programs providing sports leagues. youth activities. tutoring. and child development centers. and many more. Now. I thank the Salvation Armyon behalf of our communityas it continues its legacy in the Sacramento region.
Date: 2010-05-20
Speaker: TIM MURPHY (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsylvania

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to pay tribute to an American hero. On April 27. the Kennedy family in the Town of Claysville. Pennsylvania. in my district. lost a son and a brother. Sergeant Nathan Kennedy was less than a month away from completing his second tour with the U.S. Army when he was fatally wounded by enemy sniper fire in Afghanistan. Nathan Kennedy was a 2004 graduate of McGuffey High School. where he excelled as a champion wrestler. In 2006. he enlisted in the Army. and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sadly. he was killed in battle on his late mother Penelopes birthday. and Nathan was laid to rest beside her this past Mothers Day. While Sergeant Kennedy returned a few weeks too early. he returned to a grateful group of friends and neighbors standing along the flaglined streets of Claysville to honor his sacrifice. In joining the procession. I will never forget the overwhelming solemn presence of that silent crowd. Not a sound was made during Sergeant Kennedys procession. none but for the strut of the team of horses that pulled the caisson carrying his flagdraped coffin. Although our hearts are heavy in remembrance of Nathan. we may rejoice. because while the small town of Claysville has lost a son. a grateful Nation has gained a hero.
Date: 2010-05-24
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker. I am pleased to support H.R. 5330. a bill to extend the Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act for 10 years. Portions of title II of Public Law 108237. the Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act of 2004. called ACPERAnow thats not a drug or a disease. it is just the acronym for this laware set to expire on the 22nd of June. The expiring sections relate to incentives for companies to participate in the Antitrust Divisions corporate leniency program. Specifically. the expiring provisions allow a company thats entered into the leniency program to request that it be held liable only for the full compensatory damages in a followon civil suit. Normally. as was mentioned by the gentleman from New York. defendants are required to pay treble damages in an antitrust action. This program has proven to be successful in allowing the Antitrust Division to pursue criminal pricefixing cases in recent years. Last year. Congress approved a 1year extension of ACPERA so that the Judiciary Committee could study the issue further. After months of discussions with the stakeholders. we have made some changes to ACPERA to require defendants to disclose more information to plaintiffs in the followon class action suits. These additional cooperation requirements apply only if. one. the defendant has pleaded guilty to a criminal pricefixing conspiracy and. two. seeks the liability limitations that ACPERA provides. Most importantly. the changes in this bill will not affect the Justice Departments ability to prosecute these cases. So for this reason. the Department does not oppose these additional disclosure requirements. This bill provides a 10year extension of ACPERA. Given the success that the program has had in uncovering criminal pricefixing schemes. a 10year extension appears to be quite appropriate. It is crucial that we continue to provide the Justice Department with the tools it needs to ensure that it can protect consumers against pricefixing schemes. With that in mind. I am happy to support this legislation. I hope that my colleagues will support this measure and the Senate will take it up in a timely manner so as to ensure that this authority does not expire next month. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-05-25
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. oh when. oh when will the majority party get rid of its legislative policy of "dont ask. dont tell"? We saw it when we were dealing with the health care bill. where they refused to ask the American people what they wanted and then refused to tell them what was in the bill. Remember? Pass the bill and you will find out whats in it. Now we have a new rendition of "dont ask. dont tell." Dont ask us what our budget is. we dont know what it is. and we wont tell you whats in it. Wait until after the year is over and we add up all the debt and we add up all the deficits and we add up all the taxes and we add up all the spending. Mr. Speaker. its time for the Democrats to get rid of their legislative policy of "dont ask. dont tell." Lets be truthful with the American people and tell them what we are doing to them.
Date: 2010-05-25
Speaker: GARY G. MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. the majoritys failure to pass a budget resolution this year represents a missed opportunity to provide fiscal discipline that is needed to create new job growth in our economy. Since President Obama was sworn into office. congressional Democrats have increased spending by nearly $1.8 trillion. including the failed stimulus bill and the government takeover of health care. To account for the spending binge. the President and the majority have enacted more than $670 billion in tax increases and pushed our Nations debt to an unprecedented $14.2 trillion. Thats $14.2 trillion. Yet the spending continues. This week the House is scheduled to consider another massive spending bill that will do little to create jobs but will. according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. raise the deficit by $133 billion. As spending continues to spiral out of control in Washington. the failure of congressional Democrats to present a fiscally responsible budget demonstrates a complete lack of leadership on the part of the majority.
Date: 2010-05-26
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. a new poll shows that 63 percent of the American public wants to repeal the expensive governmentrun health spending law. Sixtythree percent represents the largest opposition to the law since its enactment. Its no surprise. as the law forces people to hand over their hardearned tax dollars to a private company to buy health insurance or else. As a constitutional conservative. I have to agree with the 63 percent of American voters who want this expensive. irresponsible. overreaching law repealed and replaced. Democrats were wrong on the bills cost. wrong on the effect on jobs. and wrong on the issue of taxpayer funding of abortions. We must stand in favor of repealing and replacing the government health spending bill with real reforms that lower health care costs without subjecting us to any nationalized health plan. America does not want. need. or deserve governmentcontrolled health care.