macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-13
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I come to the floor today to remember and honor the people who lost their lives in the September 11. 2001. terrorist attack. The victims of September 11th came from all walks of life and each and every one of them is sorely missed by the friends. family. and this country. I would also like to honor the many brave first responders and volunteers that selflessly rushed to help save lives during the attack. and everyone who has worked to help individuals. families. cities. and our whole country start to recover and heal in the months and years since September 11 th 2001. Today the House was supposed to bring up a bill to honor the victims of 9/11. and all those who helped to respond after the attack. Instead. the Republican Majority has brought up H. Res. 994. a politically divisive bill. A bill which is more of an exercise in selfcongratulation. than a solemn and respectful memorial. I regret to say it. the Majority has. once again. chosen to use this occasion to score political points. to drive a wedge between Americans by talking about politics. instead of bringing us together as we were on This is not a time for partisanship. This is a time to come together to honor the people who gave so much on 9/11. If we are going to use this occasion to talk policy. then we should be.looking ahead. Talking about what we can do in the future to prevent another terrorist attack. like passing a law which implements ALL of the 9/11 Commission recommendations. There is much left that needs to be done on that front: We need to ensure that all cargo and people passing through our border are screened and accounted for. We need a law to increase the security of our rail and mass transit systems to ensure that we do not experience an attack like the ones that occurred in Madrid. London. and Mumbai. We need to ensure that our law enforcement agencies have interoperable communication so that they can respond quickly and work together to save lives during any incident. Together. I am confident. that we can implement all of the 9/11 Commission recommendations and prevent future terrorist attacks. And if we do that. we will truly honor the memories of 9/11.
Date: 2006-09-13
Speaker: NANCY PELOSI (democrat)
Chamber: H

and Chairman BARTON and Ranking Member JOHN DINGELL for their help in moving this expeditiously to the floor. I also want to thank all my colleagues from New York who unanimously supported this renaming. but particularly I want to thank the dean of our delegation from Long Island and Queens County. Representative GARY ACKERMAN. as well as CAROLYN
Date: 2006-09-13
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Well. thank you. Mr. RYAN. It is wonderful to be here again with both of you. as we take the floor each night to talk to our colleagues and any Americans that might be within the sound of our voices. Last night. we had the opportunity to talk about and reflect upon September 11 and its commemoration. and we had a commemoration of sorts on the floor this evening. Mr. RYAN and
Date: 2006-09-13
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

I will just jump in on one thing. As you watch. what they are doing unfold. because. again. we always remind people we dont have any control over this process right now. Hopefully. after November 7. we will be given that opportunity. because the American people. we know. want a new direction. But.
Date: 2006-09-14
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I come to the floor today disappointed that we once again are debating a bill that will not be a real solution to our Nations border security and to our immigration problem. This summer the Republican leadership held hearings all around the country under the pretense of learning about what was needed to secure our borders. The various hearings received extensive testimony. but one of the things they told us was that fencing alone is not an adequate solution. The simple fact is that fences are not the silverbullet solution that the Republicans are painting them to be. It will not add more Border Patrol agents. who are the ones that do the real work at securingour border. And it will not add more detention space for people who are apprehended. There are no more DAs. no more judges. it wont process these people. I am also concerned that the bill does nothing to secure the northern border. Just think about it. when you plug one place. people come in through other places: our coasts. our airports. our northern border. This summer I attended a hearing on the Washington StateCanadian border. and it was very clear that the northern border has major problems. considerable challenges. And what does this bill do to help the northern border? They are going to do a study. I am going to tell you something. the people who were before our committee did not ask for a study. They asked for more Border Patrol agents. They asked for help from unmanned vehicles. They didnt ask for a study. The fence proposed today is not cost effective. A lowball estimate based on an estimate from the Department of Horheland Security says $9 million per mile. So it would cost almost $7 billion to build the 730mile fence. In contrast. with just $360 million. we could hire. train and equip the 2.000 Border Patrol agents that would make it operational and secure at the borders. the ones that we said we were going to hire in the 9/ 11 act. So today we are not discussing a comprehensive bill like the substitute drafted by my colleague. Mr. THOMPSON. the ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee. the one that gives technology. personnel. equipment to monitor and secure every mile of the border 24 hours a day. 7 days a week. Unfortunately. the Republican leadership would not allow an upordown vote on that amendment. I am a strong supporter of border security. and today. today I wish we were voting on a strong border security bill. I want to work with my colleague on the other side of the aisle. but I cannot support this bill. It will cost billions of dollars. take many years to implement. and it still wont solve our border security problem..
Date: 2006-09-14
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I want to make my position on this issue clear. I support the construction of a fence to better secure our border and supported its funding in the Homeland Security Appropriations Act. However. this bill simply doesnt. provide for a fence. In a typical example of congressional overreaching and micromanagement. tie bill -specifies exactly how such a fence will be built and the precise location of each segment of the fence. We are neither engineers nor construction managers nor do we know the best alignment of such a fence. We. should simply direct the experts to construct a fence that accomplishes the objective of preventing illegal immigration and allow it to be built in the most costeffective manner.
Date: 2006-09-14
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. despite the huge scandals that have worked this town. this Congress has failed to pass a lobbying reform bill. we failed to pass an ethics reform bill. we failed to deal with the gift ban. we failed to stop the flying on the corporate jets. we failed to shut the resolving door. There has been a shameful lack of accountability. Now. I support greater transparency in the earmark process. I support greater sunshine. But we should get right at the root of the problem and eliminate the worst abuses outright. Now. Mr. EMANUEL and I and others offered an amendment the other day in the Rules Committee to stop the inside dealing and to stop the sweetheart deals. and the Republican leadership said no. What did that amendment do? It was pretty simple. It said a Member of Congress cant take Federal taxpayers dollars and earmark them for an organization that employs their spouse or their family members. They said no to that. It says lets not take Federal taxpayer dollars and steer them to an organization that just employed one of their former staffers. They said no to that.
Date: 2006-09-14
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Thank you. There is a proposal also out there that we have sponsored that I hope you will address and make in order to this particular piece of legislation with respect to prohibiting funds from going to somebody who has an organization. if that person is also the head of a political action committee of a leadership PAC. some simple rules of the game that we should all therefore be able to agree to. I hope. If you didnt take it up in the Rules Committee. maybe we can take it up now today if we all agree that those are abuses that we should end.
Date: 2006-09-14
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. we submitted an amendment to the Rules Committee for its consideration. I am sorry that the chairman decided not to take up the amendment. but what the amendment did was outline the very simple prohibitions that we talked about. to prohibit us from steering Federal taxpayers dollars to organizations that employed family members. that employed former staff members. or where monies were steered through lobbyists and lobbyist organizations that employed spouses or family members or former staff members. The key issue here is trying to end the sort of inside dealing and sweetheart deals that have rocked this town. We have not done that. What worries me about this piece of legislation is that people are going to pass it and they are going to go home to their congressional districts and they are going to tell people: We have cleaned up Washington. that we have stopped the abuses. that we have done something about the nexus between lobbying problems and the earmark process. when in fact we havent done it. The earmarks have skyrocketed since the Republicans took control of Congress. and yet they have also refused to adopt a rule that we proposed for a payasyougo budget. The President and others complain about earmarks. but he hasnt vetoed a single bill except the stem cell bill. We keep hearing about the problems on the spending side. and yet every one of the bills that has gone through this Congress has been signed by the President. Again. the only bill he has vetoed is the bill dealing with stem cell research. So if we are serious about fiscal accountability. lets adopt the payasyougo rule that has. been proposed by the Democrats. and lets adopt the measures that I talked about that we submitted to the Rules Committee that would end the worst abuses. And I still dont understand why the Rules Committee failed to take up and consider those proposals. I thank my colleague from New York for the time. Lets send a signal to the people around this country that we recognize the abuses that have taken place. that we are going to do something real. lets not just pretend we are doing something. There is some momentum to do things here. We are not taking advantage of it. Lets do that.
Date: 2006-09-14
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today. in support of our nations Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This past July. I was able to offer on the House floor a resolution recognizing National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week. The week of September 10th is officially HBCU week. I am pleased to be able to join with my colleagues today to recognize these fine institutions of higher learning. For over 170 years. our Historically Black Colleges and Universities have been on the forefront of preparing our nations youth for a bright path and successful future. Originally founded for the purpose of providing educational opportunities for African Americans. HBCUs have profoundly changed the American economic and social climate. The fact is that until 1964. HBCUs rep-. resented one of the only opportunities African American students had to obtain a degree in higher education. HBCUs have changed the face of this nation and have opened the door for many generations ofAfrican American students. Today. Americas HBCUs continue to provide excellent educational opportunities to all Americans. Over 200.000 diverse students across the United States attend HBCUs today. I am proud to represent Paul Quinn College. the oldest historical Black college west of the Mississippi River. For over 130- years. Paul Ouinn has provided their students with the tools to become successful leaders. Because of their unique resources. HBCUs continue to be extremely effective in graduating African American students and preparing .them to compete in the global economy. HBCUs graduate over half of all African American professionals. and fifty percent of all African American school teachers. Additionally. HBCUs remain extremely successful in -graduating African American Ph.Ds and scientists. The fact is that we cannot move forward as a country until all our children have the opportunity to succeed academically. Each day HBCUs help us bridge that achievement gap. National HBCU Week allows us to reflect upon the impact these institutions have had on our history and to celebrate their continued commitment to outstanding education. I would like to thank my colleagues for their support in passing the national HBCU week resolution.
Date: 2006-09-14
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Thank you very much to my good friend. Mr. MEEK from Florida. friend and neighbor. It is funny. before We started this hour for our 30Something Working Group. we had an opportunity to listen to our good friends on the other side of the aisle. and their rhetoric. I was reminded of the Doug Flutie "Hail Mary" pass. I think Mr. Flutie played for the New England Patriots in that game. and it was that "Hail Mary" pass that was pretty darn memorable.
Date: 2006-09-14
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

talked about. the bipartisan commission. the full 9/11 recommendations. What are they?. Well. we have got individuals going to the plane. giving up hand sanitizers. guzzling down water. taking off shoes. belts. and what have you. having to leave a picture frame or something there at the Transportation Security Agency. TSA. there at the gate. Meanwhile a container comes in on a truck. a cargo container. goes right in the belly of the plane. It could be packed full of explosives. We will never know. But it does not satisfy me in any way to come to the floor after a terrorist attack happens to say I told you soThat is not what the point is here. The point is. it is protecting America by doing what the 9/11 Commission called for. .What else did they call for? Something very simple. Other countries are doing it. A 100 percent container check on cargo ships that are coming into the ports of the United States of America. Oh. wow. that is something simple. That are then loaded on trucks and that are going out to the United States of America in towns and cities and counties and urban areas throughout America. The terrorists are patient. very patient. 9/11 took a long time to plan. Why should we wait to learn what the terrorists new plan may be? There are Members on this floor that are making personal attacks on other Members of Congress. What are those personal attacks? Well. you know. we feel that the Democrats are holding us back and are they for the terrorists or are they for the United States of America? That is silly. I am just going to go ahead and say that is silly. I wont even go so far as saying that the Republican majority is helping the terror-. ists. I wouldnt say anything like that. But that is what happens. Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. when you are gasping for air. When it is desperation.
Date: 2006-09-14
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

I want to thank- the 30Something Working Group for all the hard work. And we will be back next week. Mr. Speaker. We would like to thank the Democratic leader for allowing us to have the time.
Date: 2006-09-19
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

for her leadership in honoring this great American. I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of the resolution. Madam Speaker. I reserve. the- balance of my time.
Date: 2006-09-19
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Madam Speaker. I rise today to honor the sacrifice. of the Filipino veterans of WWII. America owes a great debt of gratitude to these brave veterans. who risked life and limb September. 19. 2006 H6678 co fighting off Japanese aggression in the War of the Pacific. These brave soldiers. who were outmanned and outgunned. helped hold Japanese forces at bay for 2 years. preventing enemy victories in other parts of the Pacific theater. Following the surrender of Allied forces on the island. Filipino veterans were subjected to some of the harshest treatment in WWIIs recorded history. This is perhaps best symbolized by the Bataan Death March. where over 10.000 veteransboth American and Filipino. side by sidegave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. That is why I would like to thank my colleague. Representative DARYL ISSA. for offering H. Res. 622. This important resolution. "Reaffirms. recognizes. and honors the Filipino World War II veterans for their defense of American democracy and important contribution to the victorious outcome olWorld War It." And while I proudly support Mr. ISSAs efforts here today. I must point out that there is much iore work left to be accomplished in fully honoring and recognizing the sacrifices of our brave Filipino WWII veterans. Sadly. Madam Speaker. as many of these veterans enter the sunset of their years. America has yet to fully extend health and survivor benefits to them and to their spouses. Filipino veterans did not abandon America in her hour of need. Nor. should we abandon them in theirs. � Congress must pass legislation to correct this inequity immediately. Several bills that more fully honor the sacrifices of these brave veterans. including. H.R. 302. the Filipino Equity Act. introduced by my colleague and fellow Californian BOB FILNER. are pending before this House. H.R. 302 would restore all benefits promised to Filipino veterans. I call on the leadership of this House to bring H.R. 302 to the floor for a full vote before we adjourn this fall. The words of this resolution are well deserved and welcomed by all who honor the sacrifices by Filipino veterans of WWII. But it is time we match our words with action.
Date: 2006-09-19
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. I thank Mr. LANTOS for yielding me this time. I would also like to thank my original cosponsor. the gentleman from Indiana . and Chairman HYDE. and all of the members of the Committee on International Relations who thought this was an important resolution and who helped me bring it to the floor. I introduced H. Res. 415 in June 2005 because we began to see a very big pattern of confiscation of land. Now. this had been happening in Vietnam since the fall of Saigon back in 1975 by the Socialist government.- But we have seen it happen even more. and particularly to religious institutions and to minorities. including the Montagnards who live up in the highlands. It is a growing concern. and illegal seizures of personal property from Vietnamese citizens and private organizations just shouldnt be happening. Even though Article 23 of the Vietnamese Constitution prohibits seizure of property without compensation. this has not been enforced. We must support the people within Vietnam who continue to fight for the right to keep their land. Believe me. they do. They have been demonstrating now for almost 6 months in front of the government buildings in Hanoi asking for land reform. asking to get their lands back. We need to make sure if their lands are taken and they are not gotten back. they should at least be compensated correctly for having them taken from them. The government claims it is working to improve its human rights record. Well. this Congress can send a clear message that we are looking at what they are doing. and in order to show progress in the area of human rights. we are going to evaluate it step by step. and the first part is to end property seizures and to fairly compensate the citizens and organizations whose land has been unfairly taken. Congress must be clear with the Government of Vietnam that promises alone are not satisfactory. and that implementation and enforcement are the real measures of this progress. As the President prepares to go to. Vietnam. and as Vietnam is looking at entrance into WTO. and as we are looking at normal trade relations with Vietnam. I think it is incredibly important for this Congress to remember how important human rights are here in the United States and for every citizen of the world. I urge my colleagues to support the people .of Vietnam and to send a clear message to the Government of Vietnam by voting for this resolution today.
Date: 2006-09-19
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank my friend and colleague Mr. SCHIFF from California. thank him for organizing these very important national security discussions here on the floor in the House. I also want to thank my colleague from Maryland STENY HOYER for his terrific leadership on national security and a whole range of issues. and it is great to be here again with DAVID SCOTT. my colleague. from Georgia. who has also been a leader and a very important voice on these important issues to our country.
Date: 2006-09-19
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

and our whip Mr. talk about facts. because when you did HOYER. Once again. I want to thank the not talk about facts. then you made great State of Georgia for sending you the wrong diagnosis. and when you to Congress. make the wrong diagnosis. somebody _ _gets hurt. Somebody gets hurt. So. Madam Speaker. when my colTHE OFFICIAL TRUTH SQUAD leagues on the other side of the aisle do