macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-28
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. this amendment proposes text changes to section 107 of the bill. the section that deals with improved training for health care professionals. medical care case managers and servicemember advocates on particular conditions of recovering servibemembers. As of March 1 of this year. over 24.000 servicemembers have been wounded in action since the onset of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. according to the Department of Defense. The Government Accountability � Office has found that servicemembers injured in combat face an array of medical and financial challenges as they begin their recovery process in the health care systems of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veteran Affairs. A GAO report was recently released on March 5 and entitled "DoD and Va Health Care. Challenges Encountered By Injured Service Members During Their Recovery Process." According to the report. Mr.. Chaifman. the Department of Defense screens servicemembers for posttraumatic stress disorder. but it does not ensure that further mental health evaluations occur. DoD health care providers review questionnaires. interview servicemembers. and use clinical judgment in determining the need for further mental health evaluation. Sadly. DoD found that only 22 percent of the service members who may have been at risk for developing posttraumatic stress syndrome were actually referred by the Defense Department health care providers for further evaluation. In addition. the Defense Department never identified the factors as health care actually . used to .determine which servicemembers needed the referrals. � Although our wounded warriors may obtain mental health evaluations for treatment for posttraumatic stress through the VA. and the VA may face a challenge in meeting the demand for these services. VA officials estimated that followups for veterans to get treatment for this stress syndrome may be delayed up to 90 days. Now. Mr. Chairman. I spent my professional career as a psychiatric nurse with the Veterans Administration. I can tell you that we could save time and money if we had the proper people in place to diagnose early. or at least get a referral. We miss a lot of early symptoms that later causes longterm unemployment. longterm financial stress and longterm hospitalization simply because we hare not put the welltrained people in place. professional social workers. professional nurses that would diagnose and know that something needs to be done to prevent further deterioration. and that is my reason for bringing this. My 15 years of handson inpatient program care were specialized in mental health. And I have my credentials to show that. And my amendment strengthens this section because I feel that more emphasis needs to be made on adequate training by health care professionals to recognize these signs. including suicidal tendencies. so that the early intervention can come. and it will shorten the recovery period. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2007-03-28
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I have no further requests for speakers. I want to thank both sides for their support. and I urge adoption.
Date: 2007-03-29
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Let me thank our chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Ms. KILPATRICK. and Mr. SCOTT. our colleagues. for their unwavering support for the development of the CBC alternative budget that encompasses progressive and visionary funding motivated by principle and compassion. I also would like to thank all of the members of the CBC and their staffs for helping to complete this very important task. I appreciate and applaud their efforts on issues important to all of us. Madam Chairman. the CBC alternative budget understands that our Nations- transportation system is the backbone of our economy and our way of life. We could not afford to shortchange our transportation system. nor ignore the need for greater competitiveness in science and technology. As a senior member of the Science Committee. I feel the CBC budget supports these initiatives to invest in our childrens future. our future. our Nations future. Federal entitlements such as NASA and the National Science Foundatihn need funding to inspire todays youth so that we can have a future in research and competitiveness. The science budget funds our scientific and engineering workforce. supports teacher enrichment programs and helps inspire future generations of researchers. Our Nations future depends more and more on the quality of our innovative ideas. The fruits of these investments meet vital national needs and improve the quality of life for all Americans. The CBC alternative budget also provides funding for the minority health initiatives. health insurance for the uninsured. child nutrition programs. job creation programs. the SBA. and the extension of unemployment insurance benefits and the elimination of the disabled veterans tax. .I urge my colleagues to support this budget. and dont listen to the rhetoric of taxes being raised. We have different priorities.
Date: 2007-03-29
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Madam Chairman. I rise in support of the Congressional Black Caucus Alternative Budget offered" today. The CBC budget will change a 6 year Republican policy that I call Revdrse Robin Hood. stealing from the poor to give to the rich. You might ask why the Democratic Budget. which I supp6rt. needs improvement. The Democratic Budget needs improvement because when America has. a cold. AfricanAmericans have pneumonia. The CBC budget reverses the deep cuts that have been made in the programs that serve the neediest Americans. Over a 5 year period. compared to the Presidents budget the CBC spends: $158 billion more on education. training. employment and social services. $101 billion more on healthcare. $19 billion more on community and regional development. $42 billion more on veterans benefits and services. $12 billion more on administration of justice. $21 billion more on homeland security. and $5.8 billion more on international affairs. Even after funding these priorities. the CBC alternative budget still manages to balance the budget in Fiscal Year 2012 and in fact. creates a surplus of $141 billion. As an African American woman who represents one of the poorest districts in the state of Florida. I am proud to say that the Congressional Black Caucuss Budget demonstrates that fiscal responsibility and spending on programs that are important to the AfricanAmerican people are not mutually exclusive. I encourage all my colleagues to support the CBC Budget.
Date: 2007-03-29
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Chair. I rise in support of the Democratic budget resolution. The best word to describe this budget is "balanced." First. it balances our Nations books by bringing our country back to surplus by 2012. thanks in large part to the PAYGO rules this Chamber passed as part of our fiscal responsibility package. This budget also balances our Nations many priorities by providing adequate funding for our defense and homeland security. while also paying muchneeded attention to our deserving domestic priorities and social programs. This budget proves that Democrats pay more than lip service to our Nations veterans by providing $6.6 billion over last years funding for veterans services. As a member of Energy and Commerce. I would like to thankthe Budget Committee for including a $50 billion reserve fund for the expansion of the SCHIP program. Of course. we understand that our reauthorization bill will be subject to PAYGO rules. but this reserve fund is an important first step in increasing access to health care for the neariy 6 million children who are eligible for SCHIP but not enrolled. I applaud the Budget Committee for rejecting the administrations cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. I also appreciate the budgets refusal to incorporate the administrations cuts to LIHEAP. which should be further expanded to ensure that millions of lowincome folks in southern States receive the assistance they need to cool their homes during the oppressive summer months. What a difference a year makes. Madam Chair. and I am proud to support Chairman SPRATT and this budget. which strikes the right balance between investing in the American. people and their future and keeping our fiscal houses in order. I urge my colleagues to support this budget.
Date: 2007-03-29
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. this Sunday. the Miami Heralds Broward County edition will publish the 1.130th column by writer Claire Mitchel. Claires column. entitled "The Third Third." is believed to be the longestrunning. uninterrupted -features column on aging in any major newspaper in America. Nothing in the last 22 years. not illness. surgery. births. deaths. computer foulups. vacations. hurricanes. nothing stopped Claire Mitchel from offering her unique weekly perspective on the aging of America. Week after week. Claires column has offered us wisdom. guidance. insight and gentle chuckles. Her book. a collection of her columns. was entitled "Seeing the World Through RoseColored Bifocals." Tonywinning playwright Vinnette Carroll conceived a musical based on Claires line. "At our age. we dont buy green bananas." But Claire Mitchel has been far more than a columnist. She has been a public relations person who represented everyone from Ann Landers to Eleanor Roosevelt. She marched with Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.. she had her own radio show. and she was an ardent feminist before mainstream America understood what that meant. Claire was Coordinator of Womens Concerns for Broward Countys Human Relations Division for 10 years and a cofounder of the Older Womens League. She was chosen Feminist of the Year by the Broward Commission on the Status of Women and was inducted into the Broward County Womens Hall of Fame. And through it all. she has been a devoted wife and mother. In her column. marking her 85th birthday recently. Claire offered this observation: "Today I am a woman of 85. asking the same question. everyone asks following such a statement. where did the years go? My answer is. -with a lot of living. "Each day. on each occasion. when there was a question of whether to do something. I chose yes. No regrets for what I did. just what I didnt do. When others hesitated. I volunteered. Mostly it was the right decision. leading me to an activity that I enjoyed." This has been the underlying message. Mr. Speaker. of each of Claire Mitchels weekly writings for the last 22 years: keep living every day to its fullest. no matter what age you are. With that. Mr. Speaker. I pay tribute to Claire Mitchel. whose shoulders are strong enough to have supported thousands of women by sharing with them her pearls of wisdom.
Date: 2007-03-29
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I also rise today in recognition of National Womens History Month as we wind down to the last day of this month on Saturday. March 31. First let me start off by saying how honored I am to be a part of the 110th Congress. which boasts 90 women Members serving in both the House and Senate. With this years theme of "Generations of Women Moving History Forward." it. is my hon6r to recognize some very special women in my district. the 20th Congressional District of Florida. who have done and continue to do their part to advance the womens movement. Today I call specific attention to a particular group of women who volunteer their time at the Jack and Jill Childrens Center in Fort Lauderdale. Florida. The Jack and Jill Childrens Center is a nonprofit organization that provides familyoriented. early childhood education and support to strengthen working families. The center has a volunteer Grandparent Program. whose mission is to engage older adults in volunteer services to meet critical community needs and to enrich the lives of volunteers. Jack and Jills grandparents have the important job of interacting with little children. Whether it is tying shoes. serving meals. patting backs at nap time. or sitting with a child and practicing writing their name. these grandparents provide each child with a special relationship that he or she may not otherwise receive. The success of the Grandparent Program. Mr. Speaker. is attributed to its mutually beneficial nature. to both the participants and children- who receive the care. Many of the programs grandparents are working with their own grandchildren. who will grow up in a loving educational environment. fostering a stronger sense of community. work ethic and successful life. These amazing women. Mr. Speaker. are Martha Myrick. Pearline Scott. Annie Welch. Merceline Victor. Barbara Osgood. Elizabeth Dorsey. Johnnie Daniels. Maria Morency. Margaret Lewis. and Albertha Brown. They collectively average 75 years of age and have been an active part of our south Florida community all of their lives. some of whom even attended grade school together. By providing a better life for our Nations working. single and lowincome mothers. Jack and Jills Grandparent Program is moving womens history forward. Mr. Speaker. our Speaker. NANcY PELOSI. exemplifies that a woman can do a job that any man can. I thank her for her service to our Nation. and thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell America about some of the women in my district who make positive changes in the lives of others.
Date: 2007-04-17
Speaker: L ANTOS (democrat)
Chamber: H

Madam Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to amend the Congressional Charter of The American National Red Cross to modernize its governance structure. to enhance the ability of the board of governors of The American National Red Cross to support the critical mission of The American National Red Cross in the 21st century. and for other purposes. as amended.
Date: 2007-04-18
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

of- California. Mr. Speaker. over the past 3 months. the new Democratic Congress has reached across the aisle to work with Republicans on legislation that is going to produce positive results for the American people. We vowed to run this House differently than: the Republicans. and since day one. we have lived up to that promise. During our first 100 hours. we passed legislation increasing the minimum wage. reducing the cost of prescription drugs. making college more affordable. securing our Nation by implementing the 9/11 recommendations and ending subsidies for big oil companies. Since that time. we passed legislation that changes the direction of the war in Iraq. but also fully funding our troops and supporting our veterans. At the end of last month. we also passed a budget resolution that balances our budget within 5 years. something that the Bush administration and his budgets have not been able to do. Not only is our budget fiscally responsible. it also increases the funding for childrens health care. for education and for veterans health care. all without raising taxes. Yes. we are. going in a new direction.
Date: 2007-04-18
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise to thank God for Mr. Liviu Librescu. Monday was Holocaust Remembrance Day. Mr. Speaker. Mr. Liviu Librescu was a teacher for 20 years at Virginia Tech. He was a husband and a father. 76 years of age. and a Holocaust survivor. On Monday. on Holocaust Remembrance Day. he blocked the doorway to a classroom to protect the students in that classroom from almost certain death. And in so doing. he sacrificed his life. He survived the Holocaust and made the ultimate sacrifice. He gave his life so that others could live. Thank God for him. May God bless his family and all of those who have suffered at Virginia Tech.
Date: 2007-04-18
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. on rollcall No. 227. I missed voting because of a visit to the doctors office. Had I been present. I would have voted "yea."
Date: 2007-04-18
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

You mean those 13.000 in Florida that are missing? I thank the gentleman. So this is an incredibly onesided amendment. This should not be accepted by this House. This certainly should not be accepted when the purpose of the legislation is to expand the participation. the meaningful participation of the shareholders. the people who made a decision to go out and to buy the stock. or they earned it in their retirement fund.
Date: 2007-04-18
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

The point is this. The purpose of this legislation is to address a situation which has unfolded in this country in front of so many American workers. so many retirees. so many people who are close to retirement. when all of a sudden they see that. in the executive suites. they take care of themselves in the cloak of secrecy. And so when all of a sudden a major airline. a major automobile company or any other major corporation goes ito bankruptcy. they find out that the executives. as part of their compensation. decided that they would have a bulletproof deferred retirement compensation plan. a bulletproof pension plan. while everybody else was in bankruptcy. that they created a trust. all part of executive compensation. And that is why people are now saying these shareholders. the vaunted basic fundamental makeup of the corporation. the shareholders should be engaged in this conversation. This amendment comes to the forefront and really starts to strip away that discussion. Reminding you. this is a discussion. since this is a nonbinding advisory vote. so this is a discussion and a vote. And so the question really is. are we going to take the very same people who we pay great deference to when the corporation wants to tell you why they have to do something or they cant do something. it is because of the shareholders. but when it comes to executive compensation. we are going to shut down the ability of those individual shareholders and retirees and others to be able to have this discussion about executive compensation. And executive compensation is getting so large now that it in fact does impact the shareholders. because many corporations if you look at it. you think how much would they have to do to drive that amount of money to the bottom line? What would they have to do to drive that amount of money to the bottom line? This amendment should be rejected because it is contrary to the purpose and intent of this bill.
Date: 2007-04-19
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 1905. .1 rise today in support of H.R. 1905. the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007. I congratulate my colleagues for their courage and veracity to consider this measure and support its passage after 231 years of injustice. Since the birth of our Nation the residents of the District of Columbia have been deprived of their fundamental Federal rights. despite paying their Federal taxes. I would like to thank Congresswoman ELANOR HOLMES NORTON from the District of Columbia for her leadership and tenacity. Since elected to Congress in 1996. Congresswoman NORTON has consistently fought for voting representation in the United States Congress. Our democracy and our values as Americans are contingent upon the idea that every person should have the right to vote and have that vote counted. The citizens of the District of Columbia have not been able to fully realize this right. While they are able to vote in presidential election yet their voice in the body of the House of Representatives has too often been silenced. This is in direct opposition of the values of equality and opportunity that we hold so dearly as American citizens. Mr. Speaker. I urg6 my colleagues to give the District of Columbia residents a vote in Congress. I hope we could finally grant the residents of the District of Columbia the voice that they deserve.
Date: 2007-04-19
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I rise to indicate that I will be voting "yes" on H.R. 1905 and that I have supported it for 15 years. and I am very happy to be supporting the doing away with the disenfranchisement of the people of the District of Columbia. I want to thank the Gentlelady from the District of Columbia. Ms. NORTON. Chairman CONYERS. and the Gentleman from Virginia
Date: 2007-04-19
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to support this important bill--the DC Voting Rights Act. It is long past time to pass this legislation. It is not a question of politics or political advantage. it is a question of civil rightsmit is a question of whether we believe that those people who live in the city that houses our Democratic institutions. who often work in the Federal government. deserve equal representation in our legislative body. There is simply no excuse to deny the hundreds of thousands of residents of our Capital City the right to equal representation in the United States Congress. They are citizens in every way. They pay the .same federal taxes as anyone else. can serve in the armed forces. and are subject to the same laws of the land. What a terrible message we send when the people in the capital of the worlds greatest democracy do not have a vote in the peoples House. I have the privilege or representing the district right n~xt to Washington. DC. and it is simply wrong that when yo6 cross the border from my district into Washington. DC. you go from a district where you have voting representation to one where you do not. Mr. Speaker. we have before us a bipartisan compromise that extends full voting rights to our neighbors here in the District. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and finally end taxation without representation.
Date: 2007-04-19
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Thank you very much. Mr. Chairman. I support the managers amendment on this water resources bill. The managers amendment reflects project and policy revisions that have come to the attention of the subcommittee that I chair. and the subcommittee of Water Resources Environment. Since the bill was passed out of committee. the Transportation and Infrastructure. in March. the amendment contains authorizations that are by no means inequitable to those that were contained in the bill that passed out of committee. Likewise. the projects in the managers amendment were not considered on a partisan basis but on a need basis and merit. And this has been a long tradition in our committee. and I hope we will always have that. I support the amendment. And I want to express my appreciation to the persons who did do all of the certifications and all the new paperwork we have to do. And I want to thank the ranking member on the subcommittee as well as the full committee and our general chairman. Thank you so very much.
Date: 2007-04-19
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman..I support the amendment offered by my colleague. Mr. BOSWELL. Congressman BOSWELL has been working with the Committee to resolve scoring issues related to modifications for the Rathbun Lake. Iowa project that had surfaced since the project was last included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2005. It is my understanding that these issues have now been settled. I urge the adoption of this amendment.
Date: 2007-04-19
Speaker: PATRICK MURPHY (democrat)
Chamber: H

who is a distinguished veteran of our Armed Forces. who I believe is the only combat veteran of the Iraq conflict. to tell some very. very heartrending and veryclear stories. which are true. about the meaning of our Nations effort for a just. safe. but orderly withdrawal from this conflict. I would like to switch it over to Congressman MURPHY for a moment from the great state of Pennsylvania.