macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1993-07-14
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to state continued support for the Presidents economic plan and to encourage the conferees to move quickly and decisively in their deliberations. As Democrats we know that there is no free lunch. The Republicans have failed to come up with a credible plan. yet they still demand more cuts In spending without explaining which cuts they want to make. First of all. the same people who are asking us to make cuts are the ones who are calling on us. saying we need to vote for the RTC. We need to vote for the space station. I voted for the space station. but I am willing to pay for it. and that is what the reconciliation is about. Today. 100 Members of the Congress will- be chosen to shape the future of our economy by finalizing the budget plan. As this process continues it is Important that the American people clearly understand what the goals of the Democratic plan are: First. we aim to reduce the budget deficit by $500 billion over 5 years. Second. we want to encourage the growth of small business by providing incentives for investment and expansion. Third. we want the plan to be fair by asking those most able to pay to pay their fair share. In the Houston area which I represent this plan will mean more jobs by increased investments by small business and help for our real estate market which is still in recovery from the 1980s.
Date: 1993-07-14
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I rise against this amendment for the simple reason that the chairman of the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. the chairman of the Committee on the Interior and the gentleman from Texas in the well are working on a possible solution to the whole ecosystem. to the whole problem of the forest lands in the Pacific Northwest. We are going with scientific evidence. We have to finish our work. This is no way to legislate. This is no way to send a message to the Forest Service. We are going to do it in the Congress and the way to do it is the right way with the technical information necessary. I appeal to you not to vote for this amendment. let us legislate a proper solution. This is no.way to legislate.
Date: 1993-07-14
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. on June 29. during the vote on the Myers amendment to H.R. 2491. rollcall 289. I was unavoidably detained due to a previously scheduled meeting with a constituent. Had I been presefit I would have voted "no" and I ask unanimous consent that the RECORD reflect my intentions on this vote.
Date: 1993-07-21
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. this amendment is a fight we do not need to have. This amendment tries to separate us. National service is not designed to replace any current employees. All we need to do Is to recognize what this amendment does. It is just to drive a wedge in our efforts to provide national service. one of the most popular pieces of legislation that has come before this Congress in many years. We need to pass a good bill. a bill that is needed for our country and for our young people. National service is a threeway win for our country: It provides job experience for those youngsters. it provides needed service to our neighborhoods. and It helps repay those student loans. We know a number of students who graduated. whether they be from proprietary schools. or vocational schools. or from 4year schools. or 2year schools. that they are under a debt. They would like to have some of that debt forgiven by giving community service. This bill allows that. This amendment separates us. If we continue this separation by adopting the Ballenger amendment. it will harm the national service effort. The Ballenger amendment. If adopted. will possibly cut people who have jobs. That is not our intent. We do not need to have more unemployment. The support for this bill includes many corporations. and I would not expect some of the corporations that have been listed as supporters would support a bill that actually gives veto power to organized labor. In fact. there is a letter that is provided. In fact. It was Chairman FORD. and although it is addressed to Senator FORD. I would like to paraphrase it. The American Red Cross supports H.R. 2010. the National Service Trust Act: "We welcome your continued efforts to enhance opportunities for all Americans to serve their communities. We particularly appreciate the proposed acts strong emphasis on renewing the ethic of civic responsibility. engaging in locally based and diverse organizations In a system of service delivery that is both decentralized and nationwide. facilitating the replication of existing successful service programs and providing service opportunities for stipended and nonstipended participants. and for persons of all ages." I will not read the whole letter. but it is signed by Elizabeth Dole from the American Red Cross. I hardly expect we would see the support for this bill if the Ballenger amendment were really needed.
Date: 1993-07-22
Speaker: AUSTIN MURPHY (democrat)
Chamber: H

all of the vouchers of the gentleman from Illinois DAN ROsTENxKOwSa information that should not be obtainable in this way. It Is obtainable and it is being circulated behind closed doors. Let me tell my colleagues that In a Xerox machine controlled by the maJority we found copies of portions of the Rota testimony. Now somebody deny these exist. please. on my time. because what is going on around here is the same old inside game. The gentleman from California piously stood up and said. "We dont want to obstruct justice." Let me tell my colleagues that last July that was the very argument for not having the Republican specifics printed. My goodness it was said. we are going to thwart justice if actual facts are put in the report. Yet. we discussed for over 30 pages the mechanics and operations of the post office. Yet somehow on September 21. Mr. Speaker. the U.S. attorney indicted Joanna ORourke. and the articles talked about how much the details about her activities were In the Republican report. But. she got indicted and she is being punished.
Date: 1993-07-22
Speaker: PETE GEREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to. the Michel resolution. Partisanship is a plague of this House. It is always aggravating. sometimes ridiculous. sometimes dangerous to the rights and responsibilities we are here to serve. The Michel resolution is an example of partisanship that falls into the latter category. My colleagues. the matter before us is not and must not be political. We are talking about a criminal investigation. There Is nothing more fundamental to our ideal of Government that that criminal Inquiries be above politics. The Gephardt resolution says that we give all of the records in dispute to the Attorney General of the United States. the highest law enforcement official in our land. The Michel resolution says we turn these records over to a bunch of politicians. For the life of me. I do not understand how this is even a close call. Mr. Speaker. there is a criminal investigation underway. a credible criminal investigation underway. Do you want to see justice done. or do you want to grandstand and possibly compromise the effort to do justice? This is not a RepublicanversusDemocratic matter. It cannot be. Vote "no" on Michel.
Date: 1993-07-23
Speaker: CHARLIE ROSE (democrat)
Chamber: H

which is dated July 20 of this week. It says this: We have concluded that many House Post Office files are unaccounted for. that there are broad categories of files such as Mr. Rotas. correspondence files from later years that were not included in either the task force materials or In the existing House post office files. I say this now because I do not want the membership to believe there is an ongoing investigation In the Ethics Committee when indeed there is not. and I ask only for Members to be aware that the House Ethics Committee does not have a complete file. and apparently nobody else does either.
Date: 1993-07-23
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. the Republicans have become the crazy old aunt in the basement that Ross Perot talked* about during the campaign last year. They suffer from delusions of imaginary spending cuts that never materialize. They spend their days having conversations with the longgone ghosts of the ReaganBush years. Last week. we saw how serious the Republicans were about budget cutting. We coined a new word-"Republicans." Last year. Americans told the Republicans to turn but the lights because the party is over. Well. the lights are still out and the Republicans are fumbling around in the darkness with a plan that will not work. The Republicans are now asking us if we have ever heard of a country that taxed itself into prosperity. While I do not know of any country that has. I can show you one country and two Republican Presidential administrations that have borrowed themselves into a near economic disaster. The Democrats have always been the party of the people. the party of inclusion. and the party that offers hope to Americans on their way up. The Presidents economic plan will mean growth in the economy and a reduction in the budget deficit. Lets get on with the budget process and leave those who would do nothing but whine and complain behind us.
Date: 1993-07-27
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker and my colleague. I have sat through the whole debate. and I am perplexed and frustrated with the trend of the discussion. The bulk of the moneys utilized in this legislation will go to help agriculture. We have paid for it already. In the past 12 years the Committee on Agriculture has reduced expenditures by $52 billion. We are asking here for S3 billion. We have given $4 billion every year for the past 4 years. and I say to those who stand liere and say we have to be fiscally" responsible. we have to find out where the money has to come from: We gave you the money. Its already there.
Date: 1993-07-27
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I thank the distinguished Chairman for yielding. Mr. Chairman. first let me commend and congratulate the Members of the appropriations subcommittee and the Committee on Appropriations as they help farmers. They have also addressed_ the issue of farm workers and seasonal workers who. when the farmers suffer. the farm worker also suffers. I appreciate their sensitivity and interest in this endeavor. Second. Mr. Chairman. as I said on the debate on the rule. I am perplexed and frustrated. This debate should not be occurring. When anyone would ask where is the money coming from. I have stated that we on the Committee on Agriculture have cut expenses by $52 billion In the past 12 years. But I think it would be insulting to ask who will pay for this. The only people who pay in our Government are the taxpayers. And the taxpayers of Iowa. the taxpayers of Missouri. the taxpayers of Kansas. the taxpayers of Illinois. they have already paid. This next quarter there will be enough money to cover this bill from income tax advances from the people of Iowa. I think it is an insult for anyone to stand here and say. but who Will pay for it. The people who always pay. the taxpayers who pay in every quarter. who pay every April. Let me say that I think it is doubly insulting. if we take a person who is drowning and someone asks. throw the rope to him. throw the rope to him. and we ask. but who is going to pay for the rope. when someone is drowning. Mr. Chairman. it is an insult to the taxpayers of this area who now ask for our assistance. Finally. let me say. Mr. Chairman. I had in my area a very minuscule but nonetheless 750 houses under water. I saw the victims talking to the Red Cross. eyes down. face down. almost ashamed to be there. as if they had been the ones- guilt of this Godgiven catastrophe. Godsent catastrophe. We cannot let that happen. They are looking to us for assistance. I keep repeating. I am perplexed. I am frustrated. and I think it is insulting to ask who is going to pay for it to the taxpayers who now are asking for a little relief of the money they have paid through the years.
Date: 1993-07-28
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker and Members. a minute ago you heard my colleague from Texas on the Republican side. SAM JOHNSON. saythat 1969 was the last time we had a balanced budget. Let me remind my colleagues thatwas a Democratic Congress. and that was passed under a Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker. we have Democrat President. Lyndon Baines. heard crocodile Republicans tears Johnson was also from Texas. and. if about the middle class and the taxes we give President Clinton time. he will they are going to be paying under the do the same thing again. Presidents plan.. Mr. Speaker. I would like to set the I want to show you some comparirecord straight on the effects of the sons. This chart demonstrates by inPresidents economic plan on small come groups. starting with the lowest businesses. income group and running to the highThe Republicans have stated time est. showing how much. taxes would and -time again that this plan would have been increased under President hurt small businesses and this is sim- Bushs recommendations to this Conply not true. In fact. most small busi- gress In 1990. By contrast. this chart nesses would be even better off under demonstrates the distribution of tax this plan because they would get a increases by income groups. starting larger tax deduction for the purchase with the lowest to the highest. under of new equipment. President Clintons proposal. The Wall Street Journal recognizes Clearly. if you want a package that that this plan does not target small .recognizes that the poor and the midbusiness unfairly. The Wall Street dle class have already been soaked and Journal reported on July 20 that the the obligation remains for highincome opponents of President Clintons plan people to pay their fair share. clearly have misled. that is right. I said "mis- you would prefer President Clintons led" the public on the effects of the proposal over the disastrous recplan on small businesses. ommendations and policies we followed Members. the information used by under the Republicans in the 1980s. the Republicans has been proven to be Under their policies. the wealthiest 1 false. By passing a fair economic plan percent In this country saw their inwe will allow our economy to grow and come double while 90 percent of famicreate jobs. Last year the Republicans lies in this country lost ground. had a bumper sticker that said "Annoy Mr. Speaker. it is time for a change the Media: Reelect George Bush." Well on that score. we have a new slogan for the Republicans: "Annoy the Greedy. Pass Clintons Economic Plan." INTRODUCTION OF REFORM LEGIS-
Date: 1993-07-28
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. as a member of the committee. and this amendment did not come up in the committee. but having seen lots of actions in Congress and the State legislature over the years. we see not only on this amendment but a number of other amendments you build up a straw man or a bogeyman and say this is going to be a big problem out here. And all of a sudden we are going to take it and solve it. This will not solve the problem of illegal immigration by attacking national service or attacking something In the National Service Act. What we are seeing Is a straw man built up by the Baker amendment and the Cunningham amendment to try and say OK. everybody is frustrated with the illegal Immigration problem. and we are going to take care of that. This will not do It. The gentleman from Indiana talked about on page 55 that you have to be a citizen or a resident alien. and on page 76 of this bill you have to be a citizen or a resident alien to be able to take advantage of national service. How many times do we need to mention it? This does not apply to illegal aliens. This Is not a border patrol issue. We appropriated or voted for last week and the week before the Committee of the Whole $60 million more to police our borders. We cannot police our borders through national service. We are going to hurt the national service issue that is for your and my constituents to make sure that they can have a Job. that they can pay off those loans. that they will also have some type of ability. to be able to show that they can work and provide something to our communities. It is amazing to me that we are seeing these amendments. this one particularly. but a number of other amendments that have come up that are building up. these bogymen from Members who are not going to vote for the bill anyway. They are against national service. And now they are trying to say yes. well. I am against It because it does not solve the Illegal alien problem. Well. it does. The bill itself does that. In summary. I would hope that the Members would vote no not only on the Baker amendment but also on the Cunningham amendment. because we need to address the problems of immigration. but we do not need to address it through national service. We did that last week by $60 million more that we funded.
Date: 1993-07-28
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

It was mentioned here earlier that the President just yesterday came out with an aggressive program on illegal Immigration. Here we are the next day trying to attack the cornerstone of the Presidents program on national service. again one of the most popular pieces of legislation we will see in this Congress. is talking about illegal immigration. Again. they are building up a false enemy that we do not need to have on national service.
Date: 1993-08-02
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the chairman for yielding this time to me. Madam Speaker and Mr. Chairman. I appreciate this opportunity. Let me say that what has been said here this morning about members of the National Guard serving their country. that in that respect. three of my National Guardsmen recently were killed .while on their 2week training period at Fort Hood. They died as heroes in a tragic accident. But this exemplifies what is being attempted here in this legislation. because they served during Desert Storm In every phase from training in one area to the actual front. They will be treated as full military service casualties. But the fact that they served during peacetime in the National Guard should not be forgotten. I think this would be a tribute to the three military men who died in the service of their country recently. that they also should receive some of the rewards that we give to all those who serve. I join with the chairman in support of this legislation.
Date: 1993-08-02
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

The military is conducting the necessary investigation. There has been one problem with one of them. They are buried already. Both the Texas National Guard and the Regular Army are working with the families. I am working with the families. The point I wanted to make was that whether you are In the Reserves or in the National Guard. you are always in the service of your country. When you deal in this type of training. you are never out of harms way. and anything that we can do for them I think is merited and more.
Date: 1993-08-02
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

That is perfectly understood. My purpose here is to say that these three signify that they also served and were in harms way. What we do here is for their buddies who will serve similarly and serve their 20 years. that we enhance their position through this legislation. Those who died in this tragic accident will be considered as and receive the benefits of the Regular Army. having died on active duty. That is being handled by the regular military at this time.
Date: 1993-08-02
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

It has been handled as if they were Regular Army. serving on active duty. That is not an issue at this time. The investigation is continuing. My intervention at this point is to thank these gentlemen for what they do for their buddies who served in the National Guard in peacetime and that if they served their 20 years. then they should be compensated similarly. because they are always in harms way. regardless of whether they are just training on weekends or they are training for 2 weeks. but when they wear the uniform of either the Texas National Guard. which translates to the military of the United States of America. they should be treated with the same honor and respect and credits that we can do. This is a measure which in part enhances their position.
Date: 1993-08-04
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today In support of the conference committee report on the reconciliation bill. and I urge my fellow Members to vote for the only credible plan that will create jobs and reduce the deficit. As a freshman. I came to Washington to end the practice of gridlock because the American people are fed up with inaction. Now that we have ended gridlock. the Republicans have moved on to greedlock. Instead of supporting a plan that protects the middle class from higher income taxes. the Republicans choose to protect the greedy who dont want to pay their fair share. The Presidents economic plan will work. It can create 8 million jobs. It will help keep interest rates down and will greatly help our real estate markets and small businesses. By misleading the public and distorting the truth about the Presidents plan the Republicans have engaged in greedlock. By voting in favor of this plan we may not be able to put an end to their greed. but we can at least end the greedlock.
Date: 1993-08-04
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Agriculture be discharged from further considerationof the Senate bill to amend the Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990 to define fluid milk processors to exclude de minimis processors. and for other purposes. and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.