macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. on Monday the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for morninghour business and 2 p.m. for legislative business. with votes rolled until 6:30 p.m. We will consider several bills under suspension of the rules. A list of these bills will be announced by the close of business tomorrow. On Tuesday. the House will meet at 9 a.m. for morninghour business and 10 a.m. for legislative business. On Wednesday and Thursday the House will. meet at 10 a.m. for legislative bisiness. On .Friday there will be no votes in the House. . .
Date: 2007-09-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Thank you very much. I thank the gentleman for yielding. The gentleman will note that we did a lot of incredibly good work this week. passing the SCHIP bill. the Childrens Health Insurance bill. passing the flood insurance bill off the floor this afternoon. passing the CR just yesterday. So there has been an incredible amount of good work done this week. And as far as the bills that you referenced. we will be planning to conference with the Senate as soon as they signify that they are ready to do that. and will be working diligently with them to bring those bills to the floor when the conference is complete and ready.
Date: 2007-09-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Id be happy to answer the gentlemans question. We are reviewing all of those bills and want to make sure that. obviously. the House is on equal footing with the Senate. And when we are ready to go to conference. we will certainly join them and make sure those bills are brought to the floor in as timely a fashion as possible.
Date: 2007-09-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Thank you. As far as the gentlemans reference to the military quality of life bill at the beginning of your remarks. I will remind the gentleman that we did pass. in the military health care and veterans bill. the largest single increase in health care in the 77year history of the Veterans Administration. So we are certainly doing everything we -can to expand access to health care and improve the quality of life of our military veterans. Referring to the gentlemans question about the trade adjustment act and Peru. Ill remind the gentleman that the Ways and Means Committee did conduct a markup this very week. We are fully engaged in working on the Peru trade agreement and will be working on the trade adjustmentact simultaneously to the free trade agreement with Peru.
Date: 2007-09-27
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that the business in order under the Calendar Wednesday rule be dispensed with on Wednesday next.
Date: 2007-10-01
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. rise today to -recognize the Wings Over Houston Airshow in Houston. Texas for its contribution to the city of Houston. local communities. and the military by fully supporting H. Res. 691. Wings Over Houston is about to give its 23rd annual show and in those 23 years. the show has continued to bring attention to the history and future of the United States Armed Forces. and its veterans and active duty members while becoming one of the top events of its kind in the country and one of the largest in Metropolitan Houston. An estimated 70.000 to 90.000 people are expected to enjoy the air and static displays this year which will not only help to support many nonprofit and charitable organizations. but help to fund the Wings Over Houston Scholarship Program and Aviation Career Education summer camp. This familyoriented international event is housed at Ellington - Field. Originally built in 1917. the field was integral in flight training for both world wars and was one of the airfields selected to maintain a large military force after the end of WWII. It currently is home to local presence of NASA. Texas Air National Guard. Coast Guard. the National Guard. as well as being used for other aviation purposes. Wings Over Houston not only brings local and international tourists to Houston. but also generates awareness of U.S. Armed Forces by showing a vested interest in education and supporting local students through the scholarship program. That is why I support H. Res.
Date: 2007-10-01
Speaker: DONNA CHRISTENSEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

from the Virgin Islands and G.K. BUTTERFIELD of North Carolina leading the legislative weekend. We had dozens of important legislative seminars. foreign affairs. armed services and veterans. transportation. health care. education. housing. social services. financial issues. civil rights. voting rights. Every aspect of legislation that you can imagine. we had the nationally recognized experts. They were open to the public. the public had an opportunity for questions and answers and input. These were great workshops. I participated in four of them. The town hall forum entitled "The Cradle to Prison Pipeline" that talked about the unfortunate situation where so many of our young people start off and gradually. slowly but surely. get in trouble. drop out of school and end up in prison. and how with appropriate investments. strategic investments we can change that pipeline to a cradletocollege pipeline. which is so much better for humanity. so much better for our communities. and that we could do that in a cost effective way. I participated in a budget forum where we had budget experts talk about the fact that in 1993 we began eliminating the deficit. By the year 2000 we had gone into surplus. And. in fact. in 2001. we had a projected $5.5 trillion surplus over 10 years. and how. unfortunately. over the last few years we have converted that $5.5 trillion surplus to a $3 trillion deficit. a swing of $8.5 trillion. And how. with appropriate changes and some of the changes were trying to make in Congress today. we can change that back to where we have the surplus and save Social Security. invest in health care. education and other important investments. We had a great workshop on education with the education brain trust. We had one session on desegregation of schools and how. notwithstanding the Seattle and Louisville cases. we can still. with a little hard work. make sure those schools are desegregated. We focused on the importance of early childhood education and the elementary and secondary education and Higher Education Act. We were able to make sure that we invested appropriately in education to make sure that we have a better community. We also had another workshop on the judiciary. juvenile justice and the importance of making the choice between reducing crime and playing politics. We need to make sure that we reduce crime. You were very active in law school admissions. to make sure that law schools admissions policy was not discriminatory. . Great Workshops. judiciary. education. budget. The other important workshops. It was a great educational weekend. Madam Chair. I would like to thank you for your hard work and leadership and also the ability to bring us together so that we could discuss the great work that was done over the weekend. Thank you very much. and I yield back.
Date: 2007-10-01
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. last week the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation held its 2007 Annual Legislative Conference. Each year. I have convened the Science and Technology Braintrust. The Braintrust is a discussion forum aimed at bringing together Americas brightest minds to share idea on how to diversify our science and technology workforce. I have remained committed to hosting this Braintrust each year. because I believe that engaging young people in the fields of science and technology is one of the most important things we can do for the future success of America. With India and China producing more than five times the number of engineers. computer scientists and information technology professions in 2005 than we did. our nation is losing its competitive edge. The Sciene Committee ushered through a $33.6 billion package of Innovation policies that are designed to help early career researchers. better train math and science teachers. and encourage industry and universities to partner with local high schools to improve science instruction. Having a dialogue with students and with the science education community is another way to exchange ideas and assess the needs of our population. My Braintrust consisted of two panels. The first panel consisted of highlevel individuals who have risen to great heights in technology and engineering fields. They proviaed an executive perspective of the educational experiences - that are needed for tomorrows hightech graduate to be globally competitive. Panel 2 featured bright. innovative minds from individuals who work with technology in unique ways. The goal was to convince everyone here that a career in math. science or engineering can be fulfilling. challenging and fun. Madam Speaker. more than 150 local. African American high school students attended my Braintrust. and many of them participated in the discussion by interacting directly with the panelists. It is my feeling that a few hearts and minds were changed that day. in the Science Committee hearing room. If only one student was influenced toward a career in science. technology. engineering or mathematics. I will be satisfied. This focus has been a major goal of my work as an elected official. In the 1990s. we responded to the digital age with breakthroughs in computer science and information technology. Tomorrows greatest challenge will be to reet the needs of the Innovation Age. We must compete at a global level.
Date: 2007-10-02
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speak�er. I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill to award a congressional gold medal to Michael Ellis DeBakey. M.D.
Date: 2007-10-02
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on S. 474.
Date: 2007-10-02
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague. Congressman BURGESS. for it was he who called this piece of legislation to my attention. And he has been steadfastly with me throughout the process. and I am honored to have worked on this piece of legislation with him and Congressman
Date: 2007-10-02
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. on September 13. 2007. Muslims in America and around the world celebrated the commencement of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Id like to thank Chairman LANTOS. Congresswoman RoSLEHTINEN. Congressman MEEK. Congressman ELLISON and the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association for their continued support and leadership on this historic bill. The two best that I know are on my staff: my chief of staff. Murat Gokcigdem. a Turkish American. and Illham Jaffer. legislative assistant. H. Res. 635 recognizes Muslims around the world and commemorates them during their holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is observed in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Of the Abrahamic faiths. Islam is a faith that places great emphasis on knowledge. therefore. it is a faith of reason and peace. The month of Ramadan is a time of heightened spiritual awareness. family bonding. communal service. and worship. and selfrenewal for Muslims everywhere. It is the month of fasting from sunrise to sunset for over 1 billion Muslims throughout the world. During this month. Muslim Americans are appreciative of Americas tradition of diversity. The community displays its appreciation by reconfirming its duty to ensure human dignity and a better future for all. The Muslim American community contributes to the vibrant growth of American society and culture. Muslim Americans play a significant role in our Nations political process. economic growth. scientific development. free enterprise. religious tolerance. law enforcement and homeland security. American pluralistic ideals. democratic institutions and multiculturalism are expanded and strengthened by the contribution of Muslim American civic participation. During this holy month. Id like to say Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims.
Date: 2007-10-02
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. on September 13. 2007. Muslims in America and around the world celebrated the commencement of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. I would like to thank Chairman LANTOS. Congresswoman RoSLEHTINEN. Congressman MEEKS. Congressman ELLISON. and the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association for their continued support and leadership on this historic bill. The two I know best are Murat Gokcigdem who is Turkish American and my Chief of Staff and lily Jaffer. Pakistani American and my Legislative Assistant. House Resolution 635 recognizes Muslims around the world and commemorates them during their holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is observed in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Of the Abrahamic faiths. Islam is a faith that places great emphasis on knowledge. therefore. it is a faith of reason and peace. The month of Ramadan is a time of heightened spiritual awareness. family bonding. communal service and worship. and selfrenewal for Muslims everywhere. It is the month of fasting from sunrise to sunset for over one billion Muslims throughout the worid. During this month. Muslim Americans are appreciative of Americas tradition of diversity. The community displays its appreciation by reconfirming its duty to ensure human dignity and a better future for all. The Muslim American community contributes to the vibrant growth of American society and culture. Muslim Americans play a significant role in our Nations political process. eco.nomic growth. scientific development. free enterprise. religious tolerance. law enforcement. and homeland security. American pluralistic ideals. democratic institutions. and multiculturalism are expanded and strengthened by the contribution of Muslim American civic participation. During this holy month. I would like to say Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims.
Date: 2007-10-02
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H

as well as the 30 other cosponsors for introducing this important and timely piece of legislation. I would also like to thank Chairman LANTOS for his leadership on this issue. This important legislation brings us together in celebration with our Muslim brothers and sisters. during this. their holy month of fasting and spirituality. Since the tragic terrorist attacks on the United States of September 11. 2001. patriotic. lawabiding MuslimsAmericans of the Islamic faith have been targeted by threats and incidents of violence. The House of Representatives has rebuked and condemned such actions from their very inception. with their September 14. 2001 resolution condemning bigotry and violence against American Muslims. and must continue to do so. It is important during this period of international uncertainty and apprehension to look to our commonalities. recognizing universal values that transcend culture. nationality. and religion. The Muslim American Community has grown in size and prominence. and is an integral part of the fabric of this nation. The Muslim population in North America is characterized by its diversity. Some 80 nations are represented in the mosque communities of the United States. including a variety of traditions. practices. doctrines. and beliefs. Muslim Americans share the same values and ideals that make this nation great. These include ideals such as discipline. generosity. peace and moderation. In no month is this more evident than in the month of Ramadan. when more than a billion Muslims all across the world renew their bonds to family and friends. to neighbors and colleagues. and most of all to God. Ramadan is a special time of prayer and fasting. contemplation of Gods greatness. and service to those in need. Mr. Speaker. it is in the spirit of equality and sharing that we must recognize the universal values of family. community. and faith that we all share. By recognizing the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world. the House of Representatives may demonstrate solidarity with and support for the members of the Muslim community. both within the United States and throughout the worid. By supporting this legislation. we may convey our respect to the Muslim community and commend the vast majority of Muslims within the U.S. and across the globe who have rejected the misapplication and misinterpretation of their religion. As a cosponsor of this legislation I feel that this is an issue we must address and I therefore strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.
Date: 2007-10-02
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H. Res. 635. a resolution recognizing the commencement of Ramadan. the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal. This resolution also commends the Muslims in the United States and across the globe for their devotion. Ramadan demonstrates the strength of each Muslims faith with a month of prayers. fasting. charity and self reflection. It is a beautiful observance each year by those who believe in Islam. . It is important to have resolutions like this that recognizes and shows respect for one of the worlds most significant religions. Islam. and the nearly 1.5 billion Muslims throughout the world. Following the September 11th attacks. I am sad to say. there was an outbreak of bigotry and violence against ArabAmericans. American Muslims and Americans from South Asia. Intolerance is not an American value and Congress must show its support for the community of Islam in the United States and throughout the world. I would like to thank Congresswoman EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON. Congressman GREGORY MEEKS and Congressman KEITH ELLISON for introducing the resolution and working to bring it to the House floor today.
Date: 2007-10-02
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 3087. and I thank my colleagues. all of you. for getting it here to the floor. I voted for this bill in the Armed Services Committee with bipartisan support. It passed 552. and I think this is the beginning of the way. Im happy that were trying to find a way to move in Iraq. We are here today because after more than 4 years of the Presidents war. it has become painfully clear that the administration didnt adequately plan for this war. Plan. Planning. And this is what this bill is about. And that the administration really didnt understand the substantial investment that it was going to take for American troops beyond the initial invasion. In fact. when the President declared "Mission Accomplished" on May 1. 2003. we hadonly lost 139 of our troops in Iraq. however. since then. 3.660 of our troops have been lost. So the American people have. called for a redeploying of our troops from Iraq. and we need to start doing it. and we need a plan to do that redeployment. So today. with this legislation. Congress is mandating that proper planning be done. so that whenever the redeployment begins. our troops will be brought home safely to their families.
Date: 2007-10-02
Speaker: LINCOLN DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Tennessee

My friend from Arkansas. in the presentation earlier I had intended to discuss the 12 individuals that lived in counties that I represent before they lost their lives in Iraq. Four of those actually were not in my district. but there are 12 individuals that either live in the county I represent or in the district I represent. I made a commitment some time ago that each day that when I said my prayers for those in special -prayer need. that these families would always be a part of my prayer list. And I keep a list of those in my wallet.. of those individuals. I hope I dont have to add a new name. Occasionally Ill have to take this out and redo it and add a name to it. I hope I dont have to add another name until were able to settle and. resolve and bring our soldiers home from Iraq and from Afghanistan. These individuals have honored us and our Nation. and I think that we. as Americans. need to be sure that we honor theirname and their families. and that we keep them in our hearts and constantly in our minds so that we dont ever forget the commitment that they gave. and they gave all for this Nation.
Date: 2007-10-02
Speaker: LINCOLN DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Tennessee

How can anyone in this Chamber or any American let politics. partisan politics. have a play in the decisionmaking as we talk about our young men and women who are willing to give their life and those whove given their lives on the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan? I think that its time. I travel my district and I tell folks that bipartisanship seems to have escaped us here in Washington. I talked to some of the folks who were here years ago and people who visited Washington saying that Democrats and Republicans would get together after a debate. whether they disagreed on certain issues.. but that they would get together after that debate and spend time in the evening as friends or families would spend time together. That needs. we need to recapture that here in the U.S. House. I read a book recently. or a quote in abook recently that was made by that great fellow from Britain. Mr. Churchill. Hed been speaking at Fulton. Missouri in 1951. where he gave his Iron Curtain Speech. And he and two or three other individuals were still on the train and still awake. Mr. Truman. the President. and a bunch of his cabinet and staff had retired for the evening. And they were talking about how the circumstances of our life and circumstances of our birth influenced our success or failures in the world that we lived in. And what Churchill said is that: If I were to be born again. Id want to be born in America. We need to change America to where people like Churchill and others will be saying again: Id like to be an American if I was born someplace today. I dont think thats happening today in the world. Weve got to change that. and I think the partisan rancor that we have here on the floor is prohibiting us from projecting to the rest of the world and to the American citizens the best of America. And I hope that this compact will help lead us all into being less partisan and more bipartisan on this floor and in America.
Date: 2007-10-02
Speaker: LINCOLN DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Tennessee

If the gentleman would yield. what that means is were asking the Iraqis to occupy their own nation instead of our American soldiers. That. in fact. is what were asking. Were asking the Iraqis to be their own policemen instead of the policemen on the beat being the American soldier. I think that should be expected by everyone. regardless of politics.
Date: 2007-10-02
Speaker: LINCOLN DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Tennessee

In essence what that component says is that in a bipartisan way we want to be sure that the Iraqis have a surge in leadership for their own country. take over the control of their own country. that the Iraqis develop the military that they need to occupy their own country themselves. And. secondly. that they become the policemen in the field. on the roads. riding the Humvees. and not our soldiers. I thank my friend from Arkansas for each week that you bring to the American public the views. the ideas of the fiscal conservative Blue Dog Democrats. deficit hawks and defense hawks here on the House floor.