macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1999-04-12
Speaker: JAY DICKEY (republican)
Chamber: H

Doug Tanner. sort of their picture taken with him. thinking had me on a list. and we got together- about all of the efforts that Governor Wallace had done at the schoolhouse door and everyplace else. Yet you had forgiven him. peace in your heart. He knew that he had erred. he had asked for forgiveness and in fact he came around. As we read your book. JOHN. and listen to your words. your wonderful words about leading the nonviolent effort. to see the courageous struggle that you went through and to visit the sites. whether they be in Montgomery or Birmingham. to see where Rosa Parks was taken off that bus. to look in the church where Dr. King first spoke or first became a minister. to see the shrine in the basement of the four wonderful. beautiful little girls who were killed with a bomb on a Sunday. to go through that wonderful museum in Birmingham. to see really. to touch the jail cell. to see the bombedout bus that you and others had ridden at some point. to walk through that park. to see the dogs with their fangs out and to learn from Bernard Lafayette that in fact one of the German shepherds had a goldplated tooth that the police riled up when he charged those kids. We are so thankful for the work that you did to really help change America for the better. The reason that this pilgrimage was so important was for us to know where we are going. we have got to know where we have been. We know where we have been now. those of us that were not from there. and we know that we never ever want to go back. Yet there is work that we have to do. As Republicans and Democrats. as Members in this Chamber and the other and across the country. we have to make sure that there is no room in our hearts for hatred. for bigotry or racism. It is your footsteps and it is your leadership and it is your grace that allowed us to see the path that you took that helps give us the conviction and the courage and the perseverance to continue that path. o We are so appreciative of that love and of that work. JOHN.
Date: 1999-04-14
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. it is that time of year again: Tax season. Let us be honest. our current tax system is economically destructive. impossibly complex. overly intrusive. unprincipled. dishonest. unfair and inefficient. This madness must stop. That is why I will reintroduce the tax freedom bill today that will repeal the 16th Amendment to the Constitution and deny the Congress the ability to lay and collect taxes on income. except when the Congress declares war. We must replace the current tax system based on a vision of America that places the individual. not the government. at the center of society. My bill to replace the 16th Amendment brings us one step closer to replacing the current system and restoring freedom to the American taxpayer. It is way past time to enact a tax system that embraces freedom for all Americans.
Date: 1999-04-14
Speaker: GARY MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of the conference report on the budget. When we compare this to where we started with the Presidents budget. we have come leagues from where we started. I have listened to some of the rhetoric. and obviously many have been beamed up who really look at the facts and figures. We do protect Social Security. The President wanted to spend Social Security money on his programs. We provide for Medicare in this budget. The President did nothing for Medicare. In fact. he stifled reforms. We provide for tax relief. The President wanted to raise taxes. We are keeping the budget caps. The President wants to break budget caps to spend more money. In the past year. all we have heard is the rhetoric from the other side of the aisle about saving Social Security. yet they have done nothing to do that. Where is the rhetoric now? Where is the reform? Or was it just politics as partisans present it. This side of the aisle and the budget we have before us saves 100 percent of Social Security money. $137 billion this year alone aside for Social Security over 10 years. It sets aside $1.8 trillion. The Presidents budget saves 62 percent. spent $58 billion this year alone. and over 10 years only set $1.3 trillion aside. Medicare has been provided for in this budget. My colleagues talk about chopping the cherry tree down. The President chopped down $11.9 billion over 5 years out of Medicare. We cut through this process $778 billion in taxes on the American people over 10 years. The President wanted to raise taxes by $172 billion over 10 years. This is what the Congressional Research Service has to say about the Senate and House budget resolution before us. I will quote them. "The committee report calls for maintaining the discretionary spending caps. cutting taxes. increasing spending for defense and education." I will quote again. "increasing spending for defense and education. and restricting the uses of Social Security surpluses." We have come a long way from where we started. and I wish this could be a bipartisan support. I encourage an "aye" vote.
Date: 1999-04-15
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. when the Democrats controlled Congress during 1982 to 1993. they voted to increase taxes on hardworking -Americans by $666 billion. The new revenue was not used to put toward the debt or used to eliminate the deficit. it was used to increase the size and scope of government. History has shown us that every time Congress increases taxes they also increase spending. This year President Clinton has proposed to raise taxes by $174 billion over the next 10 years. This Tax Limitation Amendment will provide a safeguard for taxpayers and force the Congress and the President to reduce spending and return the surplus to its rightful owner. the American taxpayers. Americans are overtaxed and the government is too big. This Tax Limitation Amendment will solve both of these problems. Mr. Speaker. when the Democrats controlled Congress during 1982 to 1993. they voted to increase taxes on hard working Americans by $666 billion. This new revenue was not put toward the debt or used to eliminate the deficit. Instead. it was used to increase the size and scope of Government. And history has shown us that every time Congress increases taxes. they also increase spending. This year. President Clinton proposes to -raise taxes by $174 billion over the next 10 years. What this tax limitation amendment will do is provide a safeguard for taxpayers and force Congress and the President to reduce spending and retum the surplus to its rightful owner--the American taxpayer. Not only will they get a smaller. more efficient Government. but also protection from higher taxes. The President and everybody else who is against this amendment is simply admitting they cant control their spending habit. and they still want the option of heaping the burden onto the American people. But. at a time when taxes surpass the amount that families pay for food. clothing and shelter combined. something must be done. Americans are overtaxed and the Government is too big. The tax limitation amendment will solve both of these problems. It is time for Congress to quit taking money from the hard working families of America. They deserve to keep what they earn. The money is not ours. we did not earn it and we should not waste it. Help Americas familiespass this amendment.
Date: 1999-04-15
Speaker: GARY MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise to speak in support of House Joint Resolution 37. the "Tax Limitation Amendment." The question isHow hard should it be for government to take someone elses hardearned money? We know it is very easy for government to spend the money it has taken. but how hard should it be to take an American workers money? I think it should be very difficult. We should be absolutely sure before allowing the government to take money someone else has earned by their hard.work and sweat. I do not know if a twothirds vote of Congress should be enough to take an American workers money. but I strongly support it as a minimum requirement. Just look at the growth of Federal taxes: Families paid just 5 percent of income in Federal taxes in 1934.Today. the average family pays over 20 percent of its income in Federal taxes. That is the highest peacetime rate ever and the highest overall rate since WW II. 18 of the last 19 Democrat controlled Congresses passed tax hikes. including the $241 billion hike in 1993. Just during the Clinton Administration taxes have grown by over 54 percent. from $1.154 trillion in 1993 to $1.784 trillion in 1999. State and local income taxes are increasing at the same time so that Federal. State. and local taxation is a record 32 percent of national income. The Founding Fathers created a Republic. instead of a pure Democracy. to protect citizens basic rights from the "Tyranny of the Majority." I believe it is a basic right to keep what you have earned. and I believe it should take more than 51 percent of Congress to take money from 100 percent of Americans. I encourage each of my colleagues to support the "Tax Limitation Amendment."
Date: 1999-04-15
Speaker: GARY MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise to speak in favor of H.R. 1376. Our American soldiers are far away from home. fighting for our interests. They are giving up time with their families. birthdays. anniversaries. holidays and other special days. If.they have to give up all the "good" days. the least we can do is postpone one "bad" day for them. American soldiers in combat zones should not have to worry about tax day. H.R. 1376 gives our soldiers in combat. or in hazardous duty areas. tax benefits. They will not have to pay taxes on hazardous duty combat pay. They will not have to file tax returns until 180 days after they come back. God forbid this should happen. but if one of our soldiers dies. their survivors will not have to pay estate taxes or the soldiers income taxes. They will not have to pay income taxes on income earned in a combat zone..They will not have to pay the 3 percent federal phone tax. which none of us should have to pay. We all worry about todaytax day. We all dread filling out or taxes and seeing how much of our hard earned money goes out of our pockets and to the government. Our soldiers have enough to Worry about without having to worry about taxes. When I think of Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez. Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone and Specialist Steven Gonzalez. who are now prisoners of war being held in a hostile European country. it puts this all in perspective. It is absurd to think of those three sitting there having to worry about tax day. Please support H.R. 1376t is the least we can do.
Date: 1999-04-20
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to bring special attention to an outstanding individual who is making a real difference in the lives of children in my district. He is Principal Tom Leyden of the Plano Independent School District in Plano. Texas. Tom Leyden was recently named the Texas principal of the year by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. This honor qualifies Mr. Leyden for eligibility as the National Principal of the Year. which will be announced in October. Tom Leyden is a shining reminder of what a difference our local officials can make in the lives of our children. I am proud to represent Tom Leyden. and I plan to do everything I can to make sure we help all the Tom Leydens of America by keeping the Federal Government out of their way and putting education back in the hands of local principals. parents. and teachers.
Date: 1999-04-21
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. to change the subject a little bit. today. along with the gentleman from Pennsylvania . I will introduce legislation to authorize a memorial to honor our wounded and disabled veterans. This memorial. the only one dedicated to disabled veterans. would give the American people an opportunity to honor and express gratitude to those who sacrificed so much for our freedom. We must never forget the terrifying human costs. physical. psychological. and spiritual. that so many paid that we might be free. They were citizen soldiers. everyday Americans who were willing to make the ultimate. sacrifice. and who offered themselves for the good of all. They should never be forgotten. This memorial will stand forever as a tribute to our disabled veterans and their sacrifices for our great Nation.
Date: 1999-04-21
Speaker: GARY MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. on rolicall No. 95. I attempted to return from lunch to vote. however. there was an accident and I arrived one minute after the vote was taken. This was unavoidable and beyond my control. Had I been present. I would have voted "yea."
Date: 1999-04-28
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. war is a serious undertaking. It should not be used for political reasons. ever. War is a last resort and only used to protect America. her citizens and our vital interests. Despite the humanitarian atrocities in Kosovo. the loss of even one life for a cause that has yet to be articulated or defined for the people of the United States is one too many. The plight of the refugees is tragic. and America should help them. We are a country that can provide relief and direction. ease pain and suffering. and we should provide help. Mr. Speaker. I fought in a war where politicians were afraid to win because of the political fallout. That fear caused me to spend nearly 7 years of my life as a prisoner of war. I would fight again tomorrow for Americas vital interests. but the answer in Kosovo is not to waste American lives. The answer is stop the bombing and provide relief for the refugees. Mr. Speaker. there is a wall among the trees near the Lincoln Memorial that is engraved with the names of many brave soldiers. many of whom were my friends. Families go there to grieve and remember their fathers. their mothers. their sons and daughters. Stop the bombing. We do not need another wall.
Date: 1999-04-29
Speaker: GARY MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Madam Chairman. I rise today in strong support of H.S. 1480. the "Water Resources Development Act." The bill authorizes $4.2 billion for projects and programs of the Army Corps of Engineers civil works program. It responds to pressing water infrastructure priorities. policy initiatives to update existing water resources programs.and opportunities to restore. protect. and enhance the aquatic environment. Specifically. H.R. 1480 authorizes 95 new water resources projects. modifies 66 existing authorized projects. and authorizes the Corps. to conduct 26 studies to address a variety of water resources problems and opportunities. The bill. Madam Chairman. is extremely important to my district. especially to the Chino Dairy Preserve in California. The bill calls upon the Secretary of the Army. in coordination with the heads of other Federal agencies. to provide technical assistance to State and local agencies in the study. design. and implementation of measures for flood damage reduction and environmental restoration and protection in the Santa Ana River Watershed. with particular emphasis on structural and nonstructural measures in the vicinity of the Chino Dairy Preserve. H.R. 1480 also calls upon the Secretary to conduct a feasibility study to determine the most costeffective plan for flood damage reduction an environmental restoration and protection in the vicinity of the Chino Dairy Preserve. Santa Ana River Watershed. Orange County. and San Bernardino County. California. I wish to extend my deep appreciation for the leadership shown by Chairman SHUSTER. Ranking Member OBERSTAR. Subcommittee Chairman BOEHLERT and Ranking Member BORSKI in drafting this important piece of legislation. I ask my colleagues to vote for H.R. 1480.
Date: 1999-05-04
Speaker: GARY MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. let me tell my colleagues who is most impacted by the shrinking power of Pell grants: community colleges. junior colleges and the students they serve. In California. our community college system has 106 campuses. 71 districts and serves 1.5 million students. That is the largest system in the country. dedicated to serving students with incomes below those students who attend our large University of California and California State University systems. They are the ones on the margin who are most impacted by any fee increase or any loss in buying power from the Pell grant. The Pell grant was created to serve as the foundation of needbased student aid. and it is the single most important program for lowincome students served by community colleges. More and more students are benefiting from Pell grants. In 1973. 176.000 students received Pell grants. Under this resolution. almost 4 million students will receive a Pell grant next year. Unfortunately. its purchase power has declined by 25 percent over the past 20 years. The .Presidents last budget actually cut current appropriation levels by $250 million in order to fund his new education programs. The most disturbing part is that if the President did not propose cutting the actual appropriations. we would already be funding a $3.325 grant. Maybe it is the nature of politics to loudly speak in favor of a program when it is new but then take money from it when it is not so new anymore to get credit for creating a new program. All this resolution does is say tliat we will appropriately fund the programs that work. instead of taking money from them to create new programs. This resolution does not propose cutting any other program. Unlike the Presidents budget. we do not propose to cut the Pell grant Program appropriation. Impact Aid. Title VI block grants. or the other programs that are clearly not priorities of the President. . It does not say we should not fund other education programs that do work. It does not aim to pit one group against another. It simply says our highest priority for higher. education funding should be the Pell Grant and CampusBased Aid Programs. which have a proven success record. If my colleagues do not belieire that the Pell grant and CampusBased Aid Programs work and should be our highest priority. then I urge them to vote "no" on this resolution. But I would urge my colleagues to support this program. It supports those lowincome students who mostly need our help. I urge my colleagues to: support existing programs before rushing to fund a new fad. support those lower income students who benefit from the Pell Grant Program. and support community colleges and colleges in your communities. I urge my colleagues to support this common sense resolution.
Date: 1999-05-04
Speaker: GARY G. MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise today on this sad occasion to commemorate someone very dear to me. my fatherinlaw. Robert Lawrence Rumsey. SSIONAL RECORD- Extensions o Robert passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 85 on January 28. 1999 at his home in Glendora. California. He is survived by his wife of 64 years. Evelyn Rumsey. his sister Dorothy Lawrence. his three daughters and two sonsinlaw. Charles and Judy Nichols of Huntington Beach. Loretta Rojas of Pomona. my wife. Cathy. and me. He will be deeply missed by his seven grandchildren. six greatgrandchildren. and one great greatgrandchild. Robert was born in Chicago. Illinois in 1913 to Silas and Nellie Rumsey. When he was five years old. he. moved to Los Angeles. California. In 1930. Robert graduated from Manual Arts High School and soon thereafter moved to Detroit. Michigan where he met his beautiful wife Evelyn. The two were married on August 21. 1934. Robert then attended the Ford Motor Company Trade School and graduated with honors. He proceeded to become a master Tool and Die Maker and Mold Maker. In 1941. Robert and Evelyn moved to Southern California and in 1947 began building their home in Glendora. For many years. Robert worked for United Engravers in Los Angeles. Services were held on Monday. February 1. 1999 at Oakdale Memorial Park in Glendora. California. You will be greatly missed.
Date: 1999-05-11
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I want to wish all Americans a happy Tax Freedom Day. Americans are now free frorn the Federal shackles on their income. And. this year. all American citizens worked for the government longer than in any previous year. Today Americans start working for themselves and not the Federal Government. Starting today. the money all Americans earn goes to their families rather than the Washington bureaucracy. This government is taking too much money out of our pockets. In fact. the average American will spend nearly 3 hours of each 8hour working day just to pay taxes. Most of the time. almost 2 hours. will be spent working to pay Federal tax. and the remainder. 54 minutes. will be spent working to pay State and local taxes. For too long the Federal Government has increased taxes on our businesses. our seniors. our families. our children. We need to take our money away from the Federal Government. away from the bureaucrats and give it back to the American people. After all. American workers have earned it. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle believe all working Americans money belongs to the Federal Government. I disagree. It is the money of all those hardworking Americans. and Americans want. need and deserve a refund now. Let us help America. Let us give the people what they deserve: tax relief that is long overdue.
Date: 1999-05-12
Speaker: GARY MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Chairman. I am not here today to talk about the Book of Revelation or the end of time. I rise in strong support of H.R. 775. the Year 2000 Readiness and Responsibility Act. I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia . the gentleman from Virginia . the gentleman from California . the gentleman from Alabama . the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) and the gentleman from California for their leadership on this issue. This bipartisan bill is our opportunity to provide critically needed protections for consumers and businesses to ensure that Y2K computer problems are addressed quickly and that precious resources are not squandered on needless litigation. To minimize the impact of the Y2K bug. American businesses are currently investing $600 billion and working diligently towards reprogramming and replacing their affected computer systems. Unfortunately there is no easy technological fix for this problem. Each computer must be meticulously fixed. tested and retested. Opportunistic individuals are only adding to an already almost insurmountable task by diverting attention and needed resources away from fixing the problem. with litigation. To date. over 80 Y2K lawsuits have been filed and there are 790 letters demanding new Y2K litigation. It is estimated that unrestrained litigation could cost $1.4 trillion. That would only serve to line the pockets of greedy opportunists at the expense of American jobs. H.R. 775 is a very reasonable approach to preventing an explosion of Y2K litigation. This bill favors remediation over litigation by encouraging parties to resolve their differences outside of the expensive court system through alternative dispute resolution. It also places the focus of Y2K problem solvers on a solution rather than fighting in court. At the same time H.R. 775 does not eliminate the normal legal options. Americans who suffer economic or physical injuries as a result of Y2K can still recover 100 percent of their actual damages. Many Y2K computer failures could occur weeks and months before January 1. 2000. That is why it is so important that we pass this legislation immediately and remove the legal obstacles that are preventing good faith efforts toward fixing the Y2K computer problem.