macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-03-24
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. as the ranking member of the Homeland � Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats. Cybersecurity. and Science and Technology. I am pleased to see this important bipartisan legislation once again come up for a vote. In the last Congress. we spent a great deal of time discussing the efforts of the Department of Homeland Securitys Domestic Nuclear Detection Office. or DNDO. to deploy radiation portal monitors at our Nations ports of entry. These monitors. staffed by Customs and Border Protection officers. are the Nations primary defense against illicit trafficking of nuclear and radiological material. DNDO continues to improve these technologies. and I hope that we will be supportive of their efforts. Yet terrorists could overcome even the best detection systems. As we know. no technology is 100 percent sensitive. Border areas between official ports of entry also remain vulnerable. For this reason. defense against terrorism requires a multilayered approach. as it does in so many other areas. This bill is a strategy to add another layer. It will fortify our national capabilities in technical nuclear forensics. a science that plays a key role in the attribution of nuclear material to its source. It enumerates a variety of responsibilities for the department to advance and sustain a technical nuclear forensics capability. and it authorizes the National Technical Nuclear Forensic Center to undertake this mission. A key component is language designed to strengthen the pipeline of talented new scientists into. this field. In recent years. as we know. the number of young people entering science has declined throughout this Nation. Nuclear fields in particular are suffering. especially harmful to nuclear forensics. -This bill therefore instructs the Department to establish a National Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program devoted to developing and maintaining a vibrant and enduring pipeline of scientific professionals. The program will grant scholarships and fellowships from the undergraduate through postgraduate and doctorate level in nuclear and geochemical science specialties directly relevant to technical nuclear forensics. Yet. Mr. Speaker. we must remember that forensics is only one component of attribution. Success also requires credible intelligence and law enforcementstyle investigation. All of these components together comprise a credible attribution program that will serve as a deterrent against nuclear terrorism. The detonation of a nuclear device in a populated region of this country would be catastrophic in the truest sense of the word. It is indeed my greatest fear. We must have a layered system of defenses to deter. detect. disrupt and recover from terrorist attacks. This legislation will reinvigorate the scientific workforce and improve our defenses against nuclear and radiological terrorism. I urge my colleagues to.support this bill and improve our muchneeded U.S. nuclear forensic capability. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2009-03-24
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. at this time I would be happy to grant 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas .
Date: 2009-03-24
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. this is an important piece of legislation. This deals with one aspect of what I consider to be perhaps the greater threat we have to our homeland and that is nuclear weapons. nuclear material that could be made into weapons to be utilized against the United States and its citizens. We need to do more in the area of nuclear nonproliferation. We need to do more in the area of negotiations with Russia. it seems to me. arid bringing down our overall stockpiles. We need to do more in terms of invigorating or reinvigorating NunnLugar. All of those are elements of an appioach that is necessary to us. This bill takes on a slightly different aspect of that same threat that is out there. It is necessary. it is important. and I hope we will have the unanimous support of the membership for this. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2009-03-24
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I thank my distinguished colleague for the time. I am honored to speak on this resolution cormmemoratink the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. This resolution reaffirms the United States commitment to the Republic of China on Taiwan and describes the Taiwan Relations Act as the "cornerstone" of U.S.-Taiwan relations. The Taiwan Relations Act stresses the concept of peace through strength. It has served as a key impediment to Communist Chinese military aggression and its attempts at forced reunification under communism with the people on Taiwan. As Members of the United States Congress. we will do all that is necessary so that the Republic of China on Taiwan continues to have the tools it needs to defend itself. This resolution is especially important because over the past 30 years. through six administrations. Congress has remained a steady and loyal friend and ally of the Republic of China on Taiwan. The strong support of Congress was evident once again by the fact that over 120 Members of Congress rushed to lend their name to this resolution in less than 1 month. As the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act is just a few weeks away. the action by the United States Congress today reaffirms. once again. the close relationship between Taiwan and the United States. Although the Republic of China on Taiwan has achieved the tremendous economic successes of a flourishing marketbased economy and one of the highest standards of living in the world. the U.S.-Taiwan friendship rests on much more than shared economic interests and trade. Our friendship stems from a shared commitment to the fundamental ideals of the rule of law. freedom and opposition to totalitarianism. The United States of America must never waiver in our support of the Republic of China on Taiwan. We must. and we will. continue to remind the world that Taiwans security is of the utmost importance to the United States Congress. to the American Government. and to the American people. I have always had tremendous admiration for the Republic of China. for its history in China and its renaissance on Taiwan. And I look forward to continuing to work to deepen cooperation between the United States and the Republic of China on Taiwan.
Date: 2009-03-24
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the gentlelady from Florida. and also all the sponsors of this legislation. I rise today in recognition of the 30th anniversary of this landmark legislation. the Taiwan Relations Act. It codifies into law the basis for the continued special relationship between the United States and the Republic of China on Taiwan. Our two nations share so many common beliefs and values. We both cherish freedom. human rights and democracy. And last year. during the most recent Presidential election. they once again showed that. yes. of course they are a true. vibrant democracy. The Republic of China on Taiwan continues to be our strong ally on the war on terrorism. And they continuously prove that they are a true partner of the people of the United States of America. Now contrast that. Mr. Speaker. with what just took place a month ago when the Communist Chinese dictatorship sent a number of ships to harass an unarmed U.S.. Naval surveillance ship. This provocative action. and many others like it. should serve as a cause for concern when dealing with that nation that regularly violates human rights. Again. that highlights the importance that the people of Taiwan know and that the world knows the United States Congress stands with this strong and proud democracy. Again. Mr. Speaker. I am grateful for this resolution. for having the opportunity to support this resolution. and make sure that our friends in Taiwan understand that Congress stands with them. really stands with them.
Date: 2009-03-24
Speaker: PAUL BROUN (republican)
Chamber: H

He is a great patriot hailing from the State of Georgia. I appreciate Dr. BROUN. He represents Athens. Augusta. and northeast Georgia hailing from the Tenth Congressional District. I yield now to a great physician. a great friend. a great patriot. Dr. PAUL BROUN.
Date: 2009-03-25
Speaker: GARY G. MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to clarify my position as it relates to H.R. 146. the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Protection Act. I cosponsored this legislation when it was originally introduced into the House of Representatives by my friend Congressman RUSH HOLT of New Jersey. to create a grant program to generate partnerships at the State and local level. encouraging the private sector to preserve. conserve. and enhance nationally significant Revolutionary War and War of 1812 battlefields. This bill passed by an overwhelming margin on the House floor on March 3. 2009. and was subsequently sent to the Senate. Senate leaders then removed all language the House of Representatives had voted for and replaced it with the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. The Senate proceeded to pass the legislation and send it back to the House of Representatives where we stand to vote on it loday. To be clear. the language contained in H.R. 146. the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 in no way resembles the legislation I cosponsored when I lent my name and support in favor of the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Protection Act. It was not my intention or desire to be listed as a cosponsor.of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. This legislation does have several laudable provisions. including language I sponsored: H.R 548. the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act to preserve and protect Civil War Battlefields and H.R. 530. the Santa Ana River Water Supply Enhancement Act to increase Southern Californias water supply. However. this omnibus bill taken as a whole would withdraw millions of acres of public land from energy development. increase government spending by almost $9 billion. and add even greater restrictions to federally managed lands. I have been a long time advocate for preservation of our nations historic battlefields. These battlefields offer a porthole to the past. The vivid imagery of an epic conflict can remind visitors of the struggles our country has gone through to preserve the banner of liberty and justice for all. Memorializing the Civil War. Oliver Wendell Holmes said. "We have shared the incommunicable experience of war. We felt. we still feel. the passion of life to its top. In our youths. our hearts were touched by fire." By preserving this Nations historic battlefields. we can give visitors a sense of what Mr. Holmes was talking about. Unfortunately. this legislation stripped the language to which I originally lent my support. and therefore do not wish to appear as a cosponsor of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009.
Date: 2009-03-25
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida and Mr. MCINTYRE changed their vote from "nay" to "yea." So the motion was agreed to. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Date: 2009-03-25
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. it is my privilege to yield such time as he may consume to my friend. the former member of the Rules Committee. who now is the ranking member of the Resources Committee. Mr. HASTINGS of Washington.
Date: 2009-03-26
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. next week the House is going to vote on the administrations budget that spends too much. taxes too much. and borrows too much. Every day. American families need to make tough decisions to balance their budgets. If they end up in the red each month. they are in trouble. But not the Federal Government. The administration says spend. spend. spend. The White House budget raises taxes on hardworking Americans in the middle of a recession. Americans say "no new taxes." They dont want us to raise taxes during a recession. They know that it is not the way to get this economy moving again. Our children and grandchildren deserve better. Lets clean the budget up. We used to say. "Its the spending. stupid."
Date: 2009-03-30
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Madam Speaker. I rise today to speak about H.R. 745. the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education bill. which I introduced together with my colleague. ANNA ESHOO. I just came from a meeting of the Pancreatic Cancer Network. and they are going to be lobbying on the Hill for additional funding for pancreatic cancer research. which is exactly what this bill does. Many in this chamber and many in my district know that my husband passed away from pancreatic cancer last August 19. This is a very. very special bill to me. because we will have the kind of funding so that there can be an early warning detection system for those who may have pancreatic cancer. Catching pancreatic cancer in the early stages is absolutely necessary. So. again. that bill is H.R. 745. I was a little disillusioned to hear one of the people who was at this event today tell me that when they went to their Member of Congress. their Member of Congress said. "Well. I am sorry. but you are a special interest group." Yes. they are a special interest group. They lost a loved one to pancreatic cancer. I urge my colleagues to please listen to the family members of those who have lost loved ones to pancreatic cancer.
Date: 2009-03-30
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Madam Speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise today in support of H.R. 1377. a commonsense bill to reimburse veterans for emergency treatment in nonVA facilities. Our first Commander in Chief. George Washington. once said that the willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war. no matter how justified. will be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country. Taking care of those who have sacrificed for our Nation is truly our sacred duty. It is a national promise that goes back to Presidents Washington and Lincoln. Yet a couple of weeks ago. President Obama proposed billing veterans for treatment of combatrelated injuries. Although the President announced that he was rescinding this proposal. it is nonetheless alarming to our veteran population. The courageous Americans who have served our country should know that all of us recognize their sacrifice. and this bill by Representative FILNER will go a long way in doing just that. Back in Florida. I represent over 110.000 veterans. the second highest number of any Member of Congress. Many of these brave men and women are disabled either in battle or in the course of their service to the United States military. Yet. veterans in my district must frequently travel long distances to obtain care from a VA facility. As a result. those requiring emergency care must seek treatment in a private or a communityrun hospital. Passage of this bill will ensure that veterans are not saddled with massive emergency room bills. I thank my colleague. Mr. FILNER.. for introducing H.R. 1377. And I would hope that all Members of this body can support such a worthy message of support for our veterans.
Date: 2009-03-30
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Madam Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 1513. the Veterans Compensation CostofLiving Adjustment Act of 2009. Previously. I served on the Veterans Committee for 6 years. and Im very glad to see Chairman FILNER and Ranking Member BUYER doing this fine work this year. as they did in the 2 years that I was on the last time. While all veterans made sacrifices for our Nation. those men and women who were disabled during their service must receive proper benefits in order to meet their care. Disabled veterans have given their blood. sweat and tears on battlefields from Germany to Japan. from Korea to Vietnam. from Iraq to Afghanistan. In this time of economic turmoil. it is vital that Congress pregerve the costofliving adjustment to help disabled veterans. Indeed. with rising prices and falling home values. its more important than ever that the needs of veterans be adequately funded. The costofliving adjustment means that veterans will be better armed with the resources that they need to survive in our communities. As President Lincoln said in his second inaugural address. governments obligation is. and I quote. "to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and orphan." It is our sacred obligation to care for those injured while in the service. I thank my colleague from Arizona for introducing this bill. And I urge all of my colleagues to support its passage.
Date: 2009-03-30
Speaker: BONO MACK (republican)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I rise today to celebrate the life of Ron Silver and mourn his untimely passing. Ron Silvers talent and passion as an artist was evident on the screen. television and the stage. He received numerous awards and accolades from his peers for his memorable performances and his ability to entertain audiences. He cared about his craft and was beloved by the people who had the good fortune to work with him. Its rare that an individual can successfully navigate through the personalities and politics of both Hollywood and Washington. but Ron Silver was able to master both and gain the respect of all he touched along the way. Rons good nature and principled patriotism led him to be accepted and trusted by Republicans. Democrats and Independents alike. He was able to accomplish this because no matter what side of the issues you were on. Ron did not question ones patriotismhe believed that all Americans were united by a common bond and love of country--even if they stood on opposite sides of an issue. That fact in and of itself says a lot about the man. In Washington. Ron Silver understood the importance of taking the time to study the issues he championed and to Ron that included taking into account all points of view. As a fierce independent. he knew that criticism could come from all sides. Ron knew that it was important not only to understand the policy and politics but also to respect the process and nuances of Washington that too many overtook and. as a result. find themselves facing a more difficult and challenging path to achieve their goals. Ron Silvers abilities were illustrated in his work as a founder of the Creative Coalition. a collection of artists and entertainers from across the political spectrum who work to educate people about issues ranging from arts funding to First Amendment Rights to fighting poverty. Ron earned immense respect for his tireless work with the Coalition. It wasnt Ron Silvers nature to simply write a column or cut a checkalthough he was able to do bothhe simply had too much energy and too much of an interest in making the lives of others better to limit his advocacy. That was the Ron Silver wayalways striving to make a difference and contribute to building a stronger and more secure America. Ron Silver leaves behind a grateful nation and a loving family. Our nation would be enriched if more of us exercised the same sense of country. level of thoughtfulness and aptly placed priorities as Ron Silver. At the top of such order was his family. who graciously shared their devoted husband and father with the rest of us. Our condolences are with each of you. Please find solace in the memories of the time and special moments you shared and the knowledge that your loved one was the embodiment of all that Thomas Jefferson valued in his countrymena citizen who never shied from his responsibilities to make his country a better place. He will be sorely missed. Thank you Ron Silver. May God bless you and grant you peace.
Date: 2009-03-31
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I want to thank my friend. the distinguished gentlewoman from California . for the time. and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I expected to come to the floor today to speak about the good of volunteerism and to support the underlying legislation. the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. However. I must now oppose the legislation because of the removal of important provisions that were supported. by the way. by an overwhelming majority of the House on both sides of the aisle. including a majority of Democrats. When the House voted to approve the underlying legislation earlier in the month. it included the Republican motion to recommit. The provisions in the Republican motion made organizations that are colocated with those that promote or provide abortions. as well as political parties and lobbyists. ineligible from receiving funds provided through the legislation. It also prohibited funds from going to organizations that have been indicted on voter fraud charges. However. the version of the legislation before the House today was stripped of those protections. even though those very provisions passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 318105. I really dont understand why the majority leadership would force the House to consider legislation that will allow organizations that have been indicted on voter fraud charges to receive taxpayer funds. especially when the House overwhelmingly voted to forbid the use of taxpayer funds for such organizations. It is my sincere belief that if those provisions would have been kept in the legislation. over twothirds of the House would have voted to pass the legislation today. legislation that. yes. otherwise does help communities by recruiting 250.000 volunteers for AmeriCorps. But we will never know if Im right because the majority is rushing to get this bill passed and is prohibiting Members on both sides of the aisle from introducing amendments to once again include the commonsense bipartisan provisions that passed previously in the House. Mr. Speaker. I would remind the majority leadership of the events 2 weeks ago. when we learned that legislation that the majority also rushed to the floor without proper review included a provision that allowed AIG executives to receive multimilliondollar bonuses with taxpayer funds. I know the majority will say that we are trying to obstruct important legislation today. That is far from the truth. Many of us in the minority were ready to support the legislation and. in fact. many of us did so before. What we in the minority are saying today. what we are trying to do. is to prevent the majority from once again wasting taxpayer dollars -and embarrassing Congress. I reserve the balance of my time.