macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1992-05-12
Speaker: DAN BURTON (republican)
Chamber: H

House of Representatives. Washington. DC. DEAR MR. BURTON. I am in the Boy Scouts of America. I am taking a merit badge that requires me to write one of my congressmen and talk about a national issue. Here in Seoul. Korea. I am writing you because I just came from Fort Harrison. Indiana. Indiana also has to do with a topic that I want to write about. The OneHundredth Anniversary of the Pledge of Allegiance I have not seen or heard of anyone mentioning that this year is the 100th anniversary of the Pledge of Allegiance. Benjamin Harrison was the Hoosier. the only Hoosier. elected President. He introduced the Pledge of Allegiance to the school children of America on October 12. 1892. He felt that this was necessary because he wanted to connect it with the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. We should be proud that our Hoosier President did more than any other American President to instill respect for our flag. I would like aside from celebrating the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America. to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. So. as my congressman. could you make it known to the Congress that this year Is the 100th anniversary and I would wish that Congress could somehow make it known nationwide. Thank you for your time. Sincerely.
Date: 1992-07-24
Speaker: VANDER JAGT (republican)
Chamber: H

Madam Chairman. this amendment would exempt voting units from the requirement of providing bilingual ballots where the number of voters affected is fewer than The amendment arises out of a situation In Clyde Township in Allegan County In my district where there are 83 Hispanics of voting age. They are not migrant workers. They are assimilated into the community. Their kids go to school. play on the sports teams. sing in the choir. attend the churches. And over the past elections. Spanish ballots have been provided. And not once. not once has anybody ever requested a bilingual ballot. Under Michigan law. it Is the township that has the responsibility of conducting the election. It costs this little township $1.000 to print the ballots In the primary. $1.000 to print the ballots in the general. The total budget of the whole township for everything Is $250.00. So though $1.000 sounds tiny to us. It is an enormous financial burden to them. When the township clerk first discovered she had to do this a number of elections ago. the county clerk took mercy on this poor little township clerk and did the ballots for her with paste and Scotch tape. perforated the ballot on her sewing machine at night. They now go to a professional printer. and that is the $1.000 subsequent cost and no one has ever requested a Spanish ballot. They feel that to the extent that they can facilitate voting. it would be far more effective to provide Spanishspeaking Interpreters and interpreters who teach Spanish at a nearby college have volunteered to do this. So It seemed to me. Madam Chairman. that this House should make It clear that we do not just want to impose burdens. even where they are unnecessary and where there is a more low cost efficient helpful way. helpful not just to the township but also helpful to the recipients. I again repeat that in no election has anyone ever requested one of these ballots. and they feel very strongly. in this harmonus community. that It would be far more helpful to provide an interpreter rather than to go through the cost of printing the ballots that no one uses. I would like to ask either the chairman of the community or of the subcommittee. what Is the intent behind this law?
Date: 1992-08-10
Speaker: B MPERS (republican)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. we would object to our amendment being set aside so the amendment of the Senator from Arkansas could be offered. but we certainly not only would not object but encourge him to begin debate on the amendment. Frankly. I think his amendment validates the rolicall vote Friday evening on SDI. At least it gom a long way toward it. We are more than happy to hear his debate.
Date: 1992-09-21
Speaker: PHIL BRINDLEY (republican)
Chamber: H

Matri--Churchill Corp.. 5903 Harper Road. Cleveland. OH. DEAR MR. BR DLEY: Your proposal to fill our requirements on this RFP has been evaluated and. in this Instance. was not selected for an award. We thank you for participating in our machine tool procurement and appreciate the effort made by you. Your name and a copy of your proposal will remain on file for assistance in preparing bidders lists for future machine tool requirements. Sincerely.
Date: 1992-09-22
Speaker: HAMILTON FUSH (republican)
Chamber: H

for his leadership and support of this issue. Mr.. Speaker. H.R. 3204 would make it clear that noncommercial taping of music by consumers is not a violation of copyright law. The debate over home taping of records goes back to 1970 when Congress first extended copyright protection for records but this legislation will end the 22yearold debate and make It clear that home taping does not constitute copyright infringement. The problem is that Japanese manufacturers are about to begin importing Into the United States copying equipment making it possible to make quality. copies- of music discs. The compromise contained in H.R. 204 provides that such new equipment will have a chip that will prevent any copying of the copies made by the new equipment In other words. you can make as many noncommercial copies as you wish from the new machine but you will not be able. mechanically. to make a copy of the copy. The bill also sets up a royalty fund by charging a fee for the sale of blank discs. not blank tapes. and sets a fee on each piece of new disc equipment sold In the United States. For the new equipment the royalty Is 2 percent of the transfer price with a minimum fee of $1 and a maximum fee of $8 a machine. For blank discs the royalty fee is 3 percent of transfer price. Video recording equipment would not be affected. nor would dictation machines. telephone answering machines or professional recording equipment. American music Is the music of choice all over the world. However. pirating and taping have become an enormous problem for the American music community. Taping presently displaces sales amounting to about $1.5 billion a year. about onethird of the industrys annual revenues. and salesare the only means by which record companies are paid. The impact of displaced sales is obviously felt first by copyright owners and creators who earn their income from the sale of their prerecorded music. But it hurts everyone in the end because less music is produced. The releases of new albums have declined by 43 percent since After months of debate with the interested parties I believe we have legislation that Is good for all the industries involved and it is also good for the consumer and the country. These new taping machines that are about to be shipped to this country will revolutionize existing taping technology. The new machines will capture and preserve recordings with near perfect fidelity. If this legislation is not enacted the displacement of sales caused by taping is sure to experience a quantum leap. I am not aware of any opposition to this bill. It has the support of industry. the Copyright Office. the consumers and the administration. I urge your support. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 1992-09-30
Speaker: VANDER JAGT (republican)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. it Is certainly with mixed emotions that I join my colleagues in saluting my good and dear friend. and Michigan colleague. BILL BROOMFIELD. Carol and I are delighted to wish him and his lovely wife Jane all the very best during retirement years that. I hope. will be as pleasant as the years of friendship we have shared. But I share with many of my colleagues. and. I am sure. foreign affairs specialists In governments around the world. the sense of loss which his leaving will visit upon this bodys contribution to sound U.S. foreign policy. For 30 years BILL BROOMFIELD has listened. and digested. and contributed to the foreign policy and the foreign affairs structure of the United States. In the recent past. as the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. his steady insight has been invaluable as the Nation has witnessed the fall of communism and the rise of a new era of freedom around the world. His coming to Congress during the administration of a general who both brought victory on the fields of war and warned of the tyranny of an unsettled peace is a fitting beginning to a career which contributed. in no small measure. to ending that tyranny and sowing fields of peace and prosperity for nations around the world. I have. of course. a special affection for BILL as a colleague and mentor from Michigan. His decade in the House before my arrival prepared him to be a wise and generous counselor--and a leader in our delegation over the years. The combination of his prudent diplomatic skills and wise judgment have been a true well of inspiration for the consideration of my efforts to well and ably represent not only the people of Michigans Ninth District and our State. but the Nation. BILL BROOMFIELD is the man In whose image the decorum of this House is reflected: A gentleman. a thoughtful man. and a man of God. family. and country. This body will miss his wise counsel. the Nation will miss his leadership. and we. most of all. will miss him. Again. Carol and I hope that he and Jane will enjoy a long and happy retirement secure in the knowledge that he and they have served well.
Date: 1992-10-01
Speaker: LARRY COUGHLIN (republican)
Chamber: H

JOE KOLTER. and DICK SCHULZE only the best of health and happiness In the coming years. I also extend to them my heartfelt gratitude for allowing me to join them In service to the citizens who make the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that great place it is.
Date: 1992-10-02
Speaker: JOHN PAUL HAMMERSCHMIIDT (republican)
Chamber: H

of the Public Works Committee. and HELEN Dxa CH BENTLzy. ranking member on the subcommittee. for their help and support on this issue and others that came before us. This bill should be familiar to many of you. Title I strikes titles I through VIII of the existing Public Works and Economic Development Act and replaces them with provisions substantially similar to bills which overwhelmingly passed the House in the last five Congresses--by 340 to 82 in the 102d. It improves existing legislation and provides grants for new construction or improvement of public facilities as well as grants for revolving loan funds to assist business growth. for economic development and strategy planning. and for technical and management assistance. Titles VIII. IX and X of the existing law are retained. Title IX. has long been one of EDAs most active and flexible programs. It provides economic adjustment assistance to help areas overcome longterm economic deterioration [LTED] as well as areas threatened or impacted by sudden and severe economic dislocation (SSED] such as military base closures. major plant closings. defense industry cutbacks. and natural disasters. In fact. EDA is currently operating under an agreement with the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment using $50 million provided in the Defense Authorization and Defense Appropriations Acts of the last Congress specifically for defenserelated adjustment activities. Funds were also recently made available in the Supplemental Appropriations Act for title IX assistance to States and local communities affected by Hurricane Andrew and Typhoon Omar. Title II of H.R. 4157. amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act. It provides for the Appalachian Regional Commissions Development Highway System and the area development programs and adds three counties in Virginia to the legal definition of the Appalachian region. Authorizations for the Public Works and Economic Development Act programs would be $300 million for each fiscal year 1993. 1994. and 1995 for development. planning. and economic adjustment programs and $26 million annually for salaries and expenses. For ARC. annual authorizations for the 3 fiscal years would be $144 million for highways. $37.5 million for area development programs. and $3.8 million for administrative expenses. Given the present state of our economy. the need is greater than ever for this Federal effort to assist disadvantaged rural and urban areas promote economic growth and help the private sector create new jobs. Alsb. as our economy increasingly is involved in worldwide markets. it is imperative that we pursue a variety of strategies to help all areas of the country become competitive in the global economy of the 21st century. I urgently request your support in passing H.R. 4157. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 1992-10-02
Speaker: BOB MICHEL (republican)
Chamber: H

proudly wears the Bronze Star. which you guys both have. and under it the Purple Heart. which you both have. Let us go to BOB and say BoB. instead of having our conference call over in room 2167. arguing about how we are going to create our leadership when we may be smaller than we are right now if the President does not close this gap. and I do not care if it is 9 points. or 21 points. the clock is ticking. and we are running out of time. let us have our conference call right here on the House floor. Sunday. or Saturday evening in front of all of America and discuss these issues. Because I can tell you what some of our sharper Members are traveling around the country like me for challengers and making most of the speeches for President Bush. they are agreeing with me that we may lose 48 Republican seats or more. about 10 or 12 incumbents and about 30 other challengers by one point. a negative coattail. In other words. President Bush not only not having coattails. but a deadening effect on our races. And we will have plenty of room in the little snack bar to get a hot dog or a tuna sandwich. because there are going to be about 143 of us. which is what was here when I came under President Jimmy Carter and watched our economy and the misery index go right in the dumpster. Will you help me ask BOB. and I am saying it openly so that all Americans can write to their Republican Congressmen and say get on the floor Sunday night. when the election is 29 days away. and help support Congressman DoRNAx and these Navy and Air Force heroes discussing what we are up against. this impending disaster. if Ifshin is the head of the transition team picking Americans for 70.000 Jobs across this country. What about doing that Sunday evening. DukE?
Date: 1992-10-05
Speaker: BOB WALKER (republican)
Chamber: H

serves in that role. On any number of issues. BILL DANNEMEYER. on the very important Committee on Commerce. where there are so many goodies to be ladled out and so many concerns to be met. has been the conscience of the House and that committee on many. many occasions. Mr. Speaker. the gentleman has made his mark here in Congress. and. BILL. we are going to miss you and obviously wish for you and your wife all the best after you leave this body. I am sure it will not be the end of things for you. You will be just as active in your home State of California. We do wish you well.
Date: 1992-10-08
Speaker: BOB STUMP (republican)
Chamber: S

as well as the other members of the House committee. for their great cooperative spirit in working with our committee to reach an agreement on this Important legislation. For their assistance and fine work In developing this compromise agreement. I also thank House Veterans Affairs Committee minority staff members Sarah Boyd. Tina Alvarado. Carl Commenator. and Kingston Smith and majority staff members Greg Matton. Ralph Ibson. Pay Ryan. and Mack Fleming. In addition. with regard to the drugpricing provisions. I thank House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman. JOHN DINGELL. and ranking Republican member. NoRM" Lam. as well as that committees Health and the Environment Subcommittee Chairman. HENRY WAxMAN. and ranking Republican member. WILLAM DANwEMEYER. for the thoughtfulness and cooperation they displayed In developing a compromise agreement on these provisions. Great thanks axe also due to Senate Finance Committees Chairman. LLOYD BENTSEN. and ranking Republican member. BoB PACKWOOD. For their tireless efforts in pursuit of this agreement. I also extend thanks to Barbara Pryor. Ellen Dondski. and Tamera Stanton of Senator ROCKF& FELLERS staff. John Coster and Chris Jennings of the Special Committee on Aging staff. Marsha Simon of the maJority staff and Ann LaBelle of the minority staff of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Phyllis Albritton of Senator MnKULSlis staff. David Balland of Senator SIMPSONS staff. John Bradley of Senator MuKOWSKIS staff. .Marina Weiss and Janis Guerney of the majority staff and Roy Ramthun of the minority staff of the Finance Committee. and - Donald Shriber. Karen Nelson. and Andreas Schneider of the majority staff and Howard Cohen of the minority staff of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. We also owe a debt of gratitude to Charlie Armstrong and Mark Mathiesen of the Senate Legislative Counsels Office and to Noah Wofay and Edward Grossman of the House Legislative Counsels Office for the painstaking care and skill they devoted to the drafting of this legislation. Finally. I acknowledge and thank the many VA officials who were so very helpful in the development of this measure. especially Louise Rodriguez. Chief of Clinical Pharmacy/Quality Management. VAs Pharmacy Service. for her enormously valuable assistance on the countless complex issues with which we had to deal over the past year. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs Jo Sherman and Congressional Relations Officer Nurit Erger for their excellent work. and the acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tony Principi. a great friend of veterans. who has devoted a great deal of his personal attention to this issue. Mr. President. I ask unanimous consent that the explanatory statement on this compromise agreement prepared by the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees be printed in the RECORD at this point.
Date: 1995-01-11
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. this January. as we work for and with America. we will vote to put responsibility. accountability. and respectability back in the Congress by finally passing a balanced budget amendment. Many on the Democrat side want us to specify budget cuts before they agree to it. I think they are just using this as an opportunity to invite their good friends. the special interests. to come in and save their favorite projects from elimination. As we have seen in the past 40 years. we can debate all day about how to balance the budget and never actually do it. We need to set the record straight. The balanced budget amendment is about discipline. We need a mechanism that forces the Congress to balance it every year. For 40 years we tried it the other way. All we got was more spending and more taxes. Now it is time for Congress to live like everyone else in America. on a budget.
Date: 1995-01-23
Speaker: NATHAN DEAL (republican)
Chamber: H

The gentleman is a Democratic cochairman of the Congressional Leaders United for a Balanced Budget. and he has also been a real leader in this fight to get a balanced budget passed.
Date: 1995-02-13
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. on rollcall vote 118 on passage of H.R. 668. the Criminal Alien Deportation Improvements Act. I was unable to be here due to travel constraints. Had I been able to vote. I would have voted "yea."
Date: 1995-02-14
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I hate to see comments like we just heard. Is Washington omnipotent? I doubt it. I would like to quote what the administration thinks of our Governors and mayors ability to fight crime in their own States and cities. The Justice Department said. "The proposed block grant will be dissipated by applying the funds to unwise and frivolous expenditures. with the result that their impact was scattershot. shortterm. and diluted." They continue by saying. "Local officials would be free to engage in 100 percent federally funded spending spree. with no guidance as to how these funds should be spent." Do our local officials need guidance from Washington. DC? I do not think so. A Member of this body said that grants would be just like "throwing dollars down a rat hole." Is he calling our State and local governments rat holes? I do not think they are. Is this not the pot calling the kettle black? A Federal Government that has accumulated a $5 trillion debt is saying that our State and local government officials will go on a spending spree. Well. I do not think Americans want. need. or deserve control from Washington. DC. Unlike some of our Washington crowd. we must have faith in our Governors. our mayors. our police chiefs and every citizen of this country. that they. not some Washington bureaucrat. know best how to fight crime in America.
Date: 1995-02-15
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I am amazed at the comments br our Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State concerning the fact that they are going to recommend vetoing the National Security Revitalization Act. This bill addresses a crisis of paramount importance to our Nation. the defense of America. Not one of our four military services has been left unscathed by the radical defense cuts imposed by the Clinton administration. The numbers are staggering. amounting to almost 65 percent in real spending dollars already. These massive cuts come at a time when the military is being asked to do more with less. in a world that is still very dangerous and unpredictable. I served in the U.S. Air Force for 29 years. and I remember all too well the hollow forces of the seventies. I remember squadrons being grounded due to lack of spare parts. and I remember air crews dying because they lacked the proper amount of training. Now I am hearing those same stories again and again. We as a Congress have no right demanding that our service men and women put their lives on the line at the same time we are slashing the funds they need to perform their mission successfully. We must do everything we can to ensure the safety and security of this Nation and the protection of those who risk their lives for US.
Date: 1995-02-16
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman. the gentleman from New York and others have talked about the costs of the United Nations. but what has not been talked about is we are talking about percentages. 25 percent of an already bloated budget. They are not cutting back on their costs. they are not addressing budget reductions. I had planned to offer an amendment which would have placed a monetary cap of $250 million for the U.S. contribution to the United Nations. Here at home we are making painful budget cuts. we are eliminating- wasteful spending and abolishing unnecessary bureaucracies. The taxpayers have insisted that we change the way we do business here in Washington. and I think that we can accept no less from the United Nations. I believe we have the right and indeed the obligation to require the United Nations to do this. because the American taxpayer provides it with a quarter of its $1 billion plus budget. When we add in peacekeeping. as the gentleman from New York has already said. $2.8 billion. we are already at $3 billion plus. That is too much money. and as the largest donor we are the only country capable of effecting positive change at the United Nations.
Date: 1995-02-16
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the Chairman. I appreciate him yielding time to me to discuss this. and I will take the chairmans suggestion and not offer the amendment today but will. instead. bring it up at the appropriate time. which will be during the State Department authorization process.