macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. this morning. I ask all my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 92. commemorating the 50th anniversary of Project Head Start. launched in the White House Rose Garden on May 18. 1965. as bold and audacious in its scope design and as a project to launch against those who lived in poverty. President Johnson said: "We set out to make"-and to contain certain"that povertys children would not be forevermore povertys captives." This means that nearly half of the preschool children of poverty will get a head start on their future. These children will receive preschool training and prepare them for regular school in September. They will get medical and dental attention that they badly need. and parents will receive counseling. Again. we have set out to make certain that povertys children would not be forevermore povertys captives. Today. 160.000 enrolled in Early Head Start. 910.000 enrolled in Head Start. 20.000 American IndianAlaska Native children. 4.000 American Indians. 32.000 migrant or seasonal workers. and 40.000 homeless children. We must continue this infrastructure. and I want to thank AVANCE and the Harris County School District in my district because they believe in helping children. Mr. Speaker. I conclude by thanking those who have fallen in battle for the United States of America as we memorialize them on Memorial Day.
Date: 2015-05-21
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I simply wanted to respond to the statement that we have to rely on Russia. We are relying on Russia because we wont pay for it in this country. but we are willing to allow a private commercial spaceship to fly at the expense of the government and at the risk of every person who would hire a trip. We are paying them to take supplies to a space station because we refuse to fund space station flight for human flight from this country.
Date: 2015-05-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I thank the gentlewoman. I thank the managers of this bill. including the majority leader. I just want to say that I come from Space City. Houston. Texas. has as its mottoits defining moment besides railroadsis Space City. I served 12 years on the Science. Space. and Technology Committee. and I had a strong commitment and continue to have a strong commitment to human space explorationin particular. the research that is garnered out of that mighty effort. I have traveled to most of the NASA centers across the Nation. and I have seen outstanding researchers. There is no reason for any of us. Democrats or Republicans. to oppose the idea of space exploration and. in this instance. commercial space exploration. What I will say to you. Mr. Chairman. and to my good friend. the majority leader. let us walk stepbystep together. Certainly. I am concerned as someone who offered and wrote legislation to promote more safety on the International Space Stationproudly solegislation that was ultimately passed and I believe has made the space station more enduring. to be able to suggest that this bill limits to a certain extent the safety requirements that I believe would make this industry a better industry. to say also that we are highlighting or offering the commercial space industry over the investment in NASA. which I have great concern. as we look forward to the implementation of the Orion and the opportunities for further space exploration. I would want to make sure that this legislation does not undermine our work with NASA and. frankly. that the safety elements that are so important. not only to the civilian populationbecause I have commercial space entities in Texas just a few hundred miles away from Houston. Texas. but I also have the NASA Johnson Space Centerand I would want to know whether or not there is a conflict between the safety requirements that we have to implement and the safety requirements and security requirements in commercial space exploration.
Date: 2015-05-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

The other thing that I would offer to suggest. as this bill moves to the Senate. is the investments that are made. the profits that may ultimately be made by commercial space exploration. it would be appropriate to use those moneys to invest in R&D and the Federal Government for it to continue its very important. unrestrained research that has been so mighty to helping so many different people under NASA. I want to thank the gentlewoman for yielding. but I would ask the question: Can we not provide a safety matrix for commercial space exploration as we have done in the public sector?
Date: 2015-05-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 22. line 19. strike "and". Page 22. line 23. strike the period and insert ". and". Page 22. after line 23. insert the following: (iii) facilitate outreach to minority- and womenowned businesses on business opportunities in the commercial space industry. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 273. the gentlewoman from Texas and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
Date: 2015-05-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Let me thank the manager of the bill. the chairman of the full committee. and the ranking member of the full committee for the hard work they do on issues that are important to our Nation and their service to this country. Let me also thank the gentlewoman from Maryland
Date: 2015-05-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chair. I thank Chairman SMITH and Ranking Member JOHNSON for their efforts to advance our nations space exploration horizon. I am a firm believer that commercial and government unmanned and manned space exploration complement each other. The Internet was initially a federal government research and development project that transitioned to a commercial and public resource that has in less than 2 decades fueled economic opportunities for thousands of U.S. companies large and small. The transition to commercial space exploration will need the collaboration and support of the Federal government to be sure that it is inclusive. safe and profitable. The commercial space industry must yield opportunities for all U.S. businesses. which is why I am offering Jackson Lee Amendment Number 5. The Jackson Lee Amendment requires that the provisions of the bill that address future legislation also lay the foundation for the commercial space industry to include work on how to effectively conduct outreach to small business concerns owned and controlled by women and minorities. I have worked hard to help small business owners to fully realize their current and future potential. That is why I support entrepreneurial development programs. including the Small Business Development Center and Womens Business Center programs. These initiatives provide counseling in a variety of critical areas. including business plan development. finance. and marketing. Outreach is key to developing healthy and diverse small businesses in all sectors of the economy. There are approximately 6 million minority owned businesses in the United States. representing a significant aspect of our economy. According to the most recent available Census data. minority owned businesses employ nearly 6 million Americans and generate $1 trillion dollars in economic output. Women owned businesses have increased 20% between 2002 and 2007. and currently total close to 8 million. My home city of Houston. Texas. the home of the Johnson Space Center. is also home to more than 60.000 women owned businesses. and more than 60.000 African American owned businesses. Just as the national highway system and rural electrification has led to opportunities for communities to participate in the national economy. so will federal investment in our nations infrastructure and capacity in space exploration pave the way for a new era of economic growth and opportunity. I ask my colleagues to vote for the Jackson Lee Amendments. I would ask that my amendment be accepted. and I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-05-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Let me conclude. Mr. Chairman. by saying that womenowned businesses have increased 20 percent between 2002 and 2007. They currently total close to $8 million. According to the most recent available Census data. minorityowned businesses employ nearly 6 million Americans and generate $1 trillion in economic output. My home city of Houston. the home of the Johnson Space Center. is also home to more than 60.000 womenowned businesses. 60.000 African Americanowned businesses. and multitudes of minorityowned businesses. I would offer to say that. if we can include this amendment. that outreach to these entities under this commercial space exploration legislation will be adding more jobs to the American economy. I ask for the support of the Jackson Lee amendment. and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Texas .
Date: 2015-05-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 22. line 19. strike "and". Page 22. line 23. strike the period and insert ". and". Page 22. after line 23. insert the following: (iii) facilitate the participation of the Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM. American Association for the Advancement of Science. Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation Program (LAMP). Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCUUP) of the National Science Foundation. Emerging Researchers National Conference in Science. Technology. Engineering and Mathematics. the University of Floridas In stitute for AfricanAmerican Mentoring in Computing Sciences. the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. the National Indian Education Association. and other institutions. organizations. or associations as the Secretary of Transportation determines to be useful in investigating the feasibility of developing programs for fellowships. workstudy. and employment opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 273. the gentlewoman from Texas and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
Date: 2015-05-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chair. my appreciation to all of those who are on the floor today. My amendment speaks to discussions that this Congress has had over many. many years on the question of science. technology. engineering. and math and. in particular. working with more vulnerable communities. My amendment would facilitate the participation of HBCUs. Hispanic Serving Institutions. National Indian Institutions. in fellowships. workstudy. and employment opportunities in the emerging commercial space industry. I remember some years ago that we developed a fellowship for graduate and Ph.D. candidates at Texas Southern University to interact at NASA Johnson. It was a very effective effort. and certainly. wellreceived by those who were able to participate. That is. again. investing in universities and colleges that interact. again. with vulnerable populations or do outreach to minority students and expose them. again. at graduate level and undergraduate level to science. technology. engineering. and math. For over two decades the Nation has known that the economy will be driven. not by the hammer and anvil. but by the ingenuity and hard work of our Nation. Therefore. the imagination that fuels invention is so valuable to the wellbeing of our Nation. My amendment would follow in that spirit by increasing awareness among underrepresented groups in STEM employment and education opportunities and. I would hope. would create partnerships between the commercial space industry and our HBCUs. our Native American Institutions. Hispanic Serving. and allow workstudy and employment opportunities in this growing and emerging commercial space industry. I believe it would be an excellent partnership and would be an excellent contribution to the economic engine of this Nation. I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment.
Date: 2015-05-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chair. Article 1 Section 8 of the United States Constitution states that "The Congress shall have Power to promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts . . ." Too often the interpretation of these words are only about patents and inventions. but it extends to our nations federal investment in areas of science that open up new avenues for economic and technological advancements. I thank Chairman SMITH and Ranking Member JOHNSON for their work to advance the scientific horizon of our nation. Jackson Lee Amendment Number 6. made in order by the Rules Committee. would facilitate the participation of HBCU. Hispanic Serving Institutions. National Indian institutions. in fellowships. workstudy and employment opportunities in the emerging commercial space industry. For over 2 decades the nation has known that the economy will be driven by the hammer and the anvil. but by the ingenuity and hard work of our nations people. The imagination that fuels inventionis so valuable to the wellbeing of our nation that the founders placed it as a key responsibility of the legislative branch. My amendment would follow in this spirit by increasing awareness among underrepresented groups in STEM employment and education opportunities in the commercial space industry. One of the most enduring difficulties faced by underrepresented populations in the STEM field is a lack of awareness and understanding of the connection between STEM and employment opportunities. In 2012. a survey found that despite the nations growing demand for more workers in science. technology. engineering. and math grows. the skills gap among the largest ethnic and racial minorities groups remain stubbornly wide. Blacks and Latinos account for only 7 percent. of the STEM workforce despite representing 28 percent of the U.S. population. All of our nations citizens must be able to tap into. what has been described in the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program Report as. "The Hidden STEM Economy." This report stated that in 2011. 26 million jobs or 20 percent of all occupations required knowledge in 1 or more STEM areas. Half of all STEM jobs are available to workers without a 4 year degree. and these jobs pay on average $53.000 a year. which is 10 percent higher than jobs with similar education requirements. Houston. Texas. the home of the Johnson Space Center. has the second highest concentration of engineers (22.4 for every 1000 workers according to the Greater Houston Partnership). Houston has 59.070 engineers. the second largest population in the nation. This Jackson Lee Amendment will open up an avenue to allow underrepresented groups in the STEM economy a means of learning about the commercial space industry through the development of fellowships. work study. and employment opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. I ask my colleagues to vote for the Jackson Lee Amendments. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-05-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chair. I would like to thank the gentleman for his support for both of my amendments. And I. again. would indicate that every opportunity we have to grow the economy and expand to those populations not fully included. this Congress should take an opportunity to do. I see. in this amendment. opportunity for jobs. for partnerships. and certainly opportunities for growing the engineers and other talented persons whom we need for. in essence. a new America with a new economy. technologicallybased. I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment. and I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2015-05-21
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I want to thank the gentlewoman. I rise in strong support of Ms. EDWARDS amendment. This amendment offers the possibility of actually accomplishing something worthwhile today and is an amendment that should garner bipartisan support. Just last week. the Science. Space. and Technology Committee reported out H.R. 2262 and H.R. 1508 on partyline votes. Of course. we had moved to markup without any hearings on commercial space issues in the 114th Congress. nor a legislative hearing on either bill. nor a subcommittee markup. It is. thus. not surprising that they could not garner any significant bipartisan support for these bills. And yet. now here we are on the floor. with these same bills. If we take the same path we took in yesterdays consideration of the COMPETES legislation. we will get a similar result. a partisan vote. and a bill that will never become law.
Date: 2015-05-21
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. today. I would like to thank Ms. Sharon Ann Porter for her more than fifteen years of outstanding service to the House of Representatives. in a number of administrative and support roles. Ms. Porter began her career in the House in February 2000 as the Data Entry Specialist under the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Eager to learn and help carry out other duties. Ms. Porter was promoted to Financial Counselor in February 2001. As Financial Counselor she was responsible for the processing of payments as well as reimbursements requested by House offices. including Member. Committee. and Leadership offices. Ms. Porter worked diligently in all her roles. processing a large volume of payments on a daily basis. as well as forming longlasting friendships with her customers and coworkers. Additionally. Ms. Porter has offered her expertise during each House Service Fair. by volunteering extra time to assist with disseminating valuable information to House employees and customers. She was also instrumental in the transition to the new digital document management and electronic voucher submission known as EVoucher. which streamlines services to House offices. Ms. Porters work ethic. diligence. and dedication have made her an invaluable asset to the CAO organization. She has consistently provided excellent customer service to Members and staff. Her outgoing personality. positive attitude. and sense of humor have endeared her to many colleagues and friends. Mr. Speaker. I congratulate Ms. Sharon Ann Porter and I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking her for her distinguished service to the House of Representatives as well as the nation it serves. I wish Ms. Porter and her family all the best as she begins this new chapter in her life.
Date: 2015-06-01
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. today I missed the following votes: Dingell Amendment. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes" on this bill. Lowenthal Amendment. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes" on this bill. Democratic Motion to Recommit H.R. 1335. Had I been present. I would have voted "yes" on this bill. Final Passage of H.R. 1335. Had I been present. I would have voted "no" on this bill.
Date: 2015-06-01
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today with my colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus in opposition to income inequality in the United States. As millions of Americans remain without work. while others are underpaid or underemployed. it is imperative that we address the growing threat to our country that is income inequality. Since the 1970s. we have witnessed a dangerous trend develop where wage growth for middle and lower income households has become stagnant while incomes at the very top continue to rise sharply. From 1973 to 2005. real hourly wages for the top 10 percent rose by 30 percent or more. whereas the bottom 50 percent of all Americans experienced only marginal real wage increases of a little more than 5 percent. The income gap is further amplified when comparing races. Overall. Caucasian males earn a median income of more than $40.000 per year while African American males average roughly $30.000 during the same time period. Hispanic Americans average just over $26.000 each year. These discrepancies by race are particularly alarming. considering that these figures are even lower for women. The percentage of wealth controlled by the richest Americans is another disturbing fact that is often overlooked. The top 1 percent of Americans own 40 percent of our entire nations wealth. while the bottom 80 percent of Americans share only 7 percent of the nations wealth. In historical terms. the last time our nation faced such a wide income gap was during the 1920s leading up to the Great Depression. Mr. Speaker. while Congress struggles with raising the minimum wage. millions of working individuals and families across the country continue to struggle with stagnant pay and rising inflation. Until we take a serious look at comprehensive reform to curb income inequality. the consequences will continue harming our communities of color. and prove catastrophic for our nations economy.
Date: 2015-06-02
Speaker: WATSON COLEMAN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in memory of Princeton University mathematician John Forbes Nash. Jr.. and his wife. Alicia. two beloved members of the Princeton. New Jersey. community. who died tragically over the Memorial Day weekend. Many of us knew Dr. Nash for his groundbreaking. awardwinning work in mathematics. his practical contributions to economic theory. and his journey to conquer mental illness. Many more learned his story through its passionate portrayal in "A Beautiful Mind." He shared the 1994 Nobel Prize. and had just returned from celebrating his receipt of mathematics highest honor. the Abel Prize. A University of Chicago economist. Roger Myerson. described Mr. Nashs theories as equivalent to "that of the discovery of the DNA double helix in the biological sciences." But in New Jersey. we knew both Dr. Nash and Alicia Nash for their kindness. their humility. their devotion to the community. and the many other ways they remained so down to earth after accomplishments that drew international praise and recognition.
Date: 2015-06-02
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

With that. I ask unanimous consent to withdraw this amendment. The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Texas?
Date: 2015-06-02
Speaker: BRENDAN F. BOYLE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsyl

vania. Mr. Chairman. I think one of the most concerning things about this budget proposal is. without question. the proposal to cut $30 million to NOAA. That represents an approximately 20 percent cut. as my colleague from Colorado was pointing out. Mr. Chairman. I find it interesting that those who would deny the science of climate change often like to say. Well. the jury is still out. we need more research. yet here we are. with a budget that will cut that very research. Mr. Chairman. just a couple of years ago. in my house in Philadelphia. we were riding out a hurricane. Hurricane Sandy ended up becoming Superstorm Sandy. We never imagined that. in Philadelphia. we would be experiencing the kind of hurricane that typically is experienced by Florida and the Gulf Coast States. As even a Republican Governor said at the time. it seems as if the storm of the century is now happening once every couple of years. Mr. Chairman. we desperately need this research. We need this funding. Lets restore NOAA funding.