macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-23
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Madam Speaker. I rise today in support of the bill. H.R. 1402. the Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building piece of legislation. It will rename the South Lecanto Highway Post Office in Lecanto. Florida. after Army Sergeant Flanagan. who was killed by terrorist insurgents in 2006 while on patrol in Iraq. I actually attended the services out at Arlington Cemetery. I was with the family. I also attended the service for the young man that was held in Citrus County. In my district office. I have a photograph that his mom gave me that was taken at the service. And it appears as if there is this rainbow over the marker. It is truly a tribute to this 2001 graduate of Lecanto High School because Sergeant Flanagan was an active member of the Junior ROTC. and he achieved the rank of lieutenant in his first year. Within a week following the attacks of September 11. 2001. on our country. he enlisted in the Army and began his first tour of duty in Iraq. Sergeant Flanagan then reenlisted for a second tour in Iraq in September of 2006. Tragically. he was killed. along with three other U.S. soldiers. when an IED hit a Humvee in which he was traveling. Only the Humvee driver survived the incident. Sergeant Flanagan .was a soldier who firmly believed in our mission in Iraq and in advancing the cause of freedom. Even as a young .boy. his parents told me that Dennis knew he wanted to be a soldier in the U.S. Armed Forces. A soldier who felt he must defend and fight for freedom. Sergeant Flanagan received glowing recommendations from his superior officers and from fellow officers. One of the principal reasons that he reenlisted was to act as a mentor to newly enlisted soldiers and to help train Iraqi Army recruits. Speaking of his future as a soldier and a patriot. Sergeant Flanagan once mused in a poem that he was going to save for his son. and those words read: -And now. my son. I pray to thee. never ever forget me. that I died a soldiers death to keep you free with my last breath." His mom shared those words with me. and I think it is appropriate that In times when children and families need role models to look up to. Sergeant Flanagan was a true American hero. Our community. certainly Citrus County and all of Florida. mourn his loss. We hope that in renaming this post office we will memorialize this brave young man. Sergeant Dennis Flanagan. and never. ever forget his sacrifice for our Nation.
Date: 2007-04-23
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Madam Speaker. I rise today in support of my bill. H.R. 1402. the Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building. 1.R. 1402 will rename the South Lecanto Highway post office in Lecanto. FL. after Army Sergeant Flanagan. who was killed by terrorist insurgents in 2006 while on patrol in Iraq. A 2001 graduate of Lecanto High School. Sergeant Flanagan was an active member of the Junior ROTC. achieving the rank of First Lieutenant his junior year. Within a week following the terrorist attacks of September 11. 2001. he enlisted in the Army and began his first tour of duty in Iraq in 2003. Sergeant Flanagan then reenlisted for a second tour in Iraq in September of Tragically. he was killed January 20. 2006. along with 3 other U.S. soldiers when an lED hit a Humvee in which he was traveling. Only the Humvee driver survived the incident. Sgt. Flanagan was a soldier who firmly believed in our mission in Iraq and in advancing the cause of freedom. As a young boy. Sgt. Flanagan knew that he wanted to be a soldier in the U.S. Armed Forces. A soldier who felt we must defend America and fight for freedom. Sgt. Flanagan received glowing recommendations from his superior officers and fellow soldiers. One of the principle reasons that he reenlisted was to act as a mentor to the newly enlisted soldiers and to help train Iraqi army recruits. Speaking of his future as a soldier and a patriot. Sgt. Flanagan once wrote a poem that included the words. "And now. my son. I pray to thee. Never ever forget me. that I died a soldiers death. to keep you free with my last breath." In times when children and families need role models to look up to and emulate. Sergeant Flanagan was a true American hero. Our community feels his loss immensely. I hope that in renaming this post office. we will memorialize Sergeant Flanagans courage and never forget his sacrifice for this great Nation.
Date: 2007-04-23
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. I rise to speak on behalf of our departed colleague. JUANITA MILLENDERMcDONALD. with whom I only had the privilege of serving for the last 3 years. but who was an 9ffice mate. had the office just down the hall from me my first 2 years back here this time around. and then I had the proud honor of serving on House Administration with her. More than that. she represented a portion of my hometown of Long Beach. and we would often talk about our mutual interests in some of the people and institutions there. particularly my love for Long Beach Memorial Hospital in my hometown. In every conversation I hadwith her. in every dealing I had with her. she was very gracious. very generous of spirit. always upbeat. I was surprised to hear of her illness and surprised to hear of her passing because in every conversation I had with her. she never gave an indication that she was in pain or suffering or in any -way challenged by this illness. She seemed to radiate a fulfillment in being in this House and the work she did. I know she was very proud of the people she represented. her constituents. and I know she was proud of the communities she represented. And I know she was proud of the firsts she represented. both here in the Congress and in the California legislature. This place is a tough place. We battle oftentimes over ideas and we battle over ideology. and yet the human aspect of this place is forgotten by many who look out or look upon us from the outside. but it is always here. And I always enjoyed every encounter I had with JUANITA. She was a pleasure to work with. She was someone who took great pride in our State of California. and I think she will be someone who will be sorely missed in this House. It is my pleasure to stand here and say goodbye. JUANITA. I enjoyed working with you. You will be missed.
Date: 2007-04-24
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I rise tonight to express my concern that Democrats will not extend tax relief measures critical to the American people. Residents in my State are at risk. Floridians currently have the ability to deduct their sales tax from their Federal tax returns. However. this deduction expires after 2007. As Democrats set the agenda for the coming year. there is talk of offsetting increases in Federal spending by raising taxes for millions of Americans. Frankly. I worry that they will use this important provision to pay for additional spending. Listen up America: Congress needs to make sure that taxpayers do not face unnecessary tax increases. I appeal to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that our .constituents can keep more of their hardearned money.
Date: 2007-04-25
Speaker: DAVID DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Tennessee

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to support House Resolution 320. congratulating the University of Tennessee womens basketball team for winning the 2007 NCAA Division I womens basketball championship. The Lady Vols are an institution statewide with an unmatched record of success. With their 5946 victory over Rutgers on April. 3. the Lady Vols won their unprecedented seventh NCAA national championship. A quick review of the programs records in the past quarter of a century shows features unmatched in womens basketball history. They have seven national titles. 12 championship game appearances. 17 Final Four appearances. 25 sweet 16 appearances. Tennessee is the only team that has appeared at all 26 NCAA womens basketball tournaments. and their Hall of Fame coach. Pat Summitt. has been a leader in this program for 33 years. And a record of 947 wins and 180 losses gives her more wins than any coach. men or women. in the history of college basketball. She has been a leader in advancing womens athletics to more of a prominent role. and her winning record is even more impressive when you become aware of the fact that every Lady Vol who has completed her eligibility at Tennessee has received her degree or is in the process of completing her degree. Her players and staff have always displayed the highest levels of sportsmanship and have been tremendous ambassadors for our university. The national and statewide- following enjoyed by the Lady Vols include numerous fans throughout the First Congressional District of Tennessee. Therefore. I am pleased to join my colleagues in supporting this worthy resolution honoring the coaches and players. of the Lady Vols.
Date: 2007-04-25
Speaker: TOM DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in opposition to the conference report to accompany H.R. 1591. As I have said on previous occasions. Congress has every right to limit the use of appropriated funds. In this instance. I disagree with the manner in which my Democratic colleagues have chosen to do so. The Iraqi government needs to understand our patience is not unlimited. Indeed. establishing benchmarks could well have a useful purpose in the effort to have the Iraqis take more decisive steps towards autonomy. Making these benchmarks public and tying them to a specific date by which we must begin to withdraw our troops. however. is a mistake. It sends the wrong message to our troops. and it gives the enemy invaluable information. Along with many of my colleagues. I want our troops to leave Iraq as quickly as.possible. Setting a public date by which this must happen. however. will ultimately create more problems than it solves.
Date: 2007-04-25
Speaker: JO ANN DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Virginia

Mr. Speaker. due to medical reasons. I will be unable to vote on the conference report on H.R. 1591. the U.S. Troop Readiness. Veterans Care. Katrina Recovery. and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007. However. if I had been in Washington. D.C. for the vote. I would have opposed this measure. I believe that Congress is making a mistake with these attempts to substitute the judgment of military commanders in theater with the micromanaging of politicians in Washington. Furthermore. I do not believe that setting artificial timetables for withdrawal of our forces from Iraq is in the best interests of our country or our military. While there have been mistakes made in Iraq. I believe that enacting this bill into law would have dangerous consequences for our Nation. Iraq. and the Middle East. The Iraqi govemment continues to need our strong support as they rebuild their country. and this legislation would turn our backs on that country in its time of need.
Date: 2007-04-25
Speaker: TIM MURPHY (republican)
Chamber: H

of Pennsylvania): H. Con. Res. 130. Concurrent resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month. and for other purposes. to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. WILSON of South Carolina (for himself and Mr. PENCE): H. Con. Res. 131. Concurrent resolution commemorating the 40th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. By Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself. Mr. STUPAK. Mr. HOLDEN. and Mr. SHAYS):
Date: 2007-04-26
Speaker: TIM MURPHY (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsylvania

The recent tragedy at Virginia Tech leads us to ask what else could have been done to protect students at our colleges and universities. The Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is intended to protect the confidentiality of student records and define under what instances parents can have access to student information and grades. Unfortunately. under the definitionT in. the act. there are many examples where information was not released to -parents or guardians regarding a students mental health. which led to withholding of vital information that could have prevented suicides. assaults and other crimes. Schools are hesitant to release information for fear of legal action. In my 25 years of practice as a psychologist. I have known many instances where these problems arose. I am introducing legislation to clarify the act to help define circumstances where universities can release vital information to parents. including risks for suicide. homicide and physical assaults. Further. it will hold harmless colleges and universities who. after consultation with a mental health specialist. act in the best interest of the student. where they can release information to help save lives. We can no longer let this 30year act be a barrierbetween parents. students and sbhools. I urge my colleagues to sign in support of this bill.
Date: 2007-05-01
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. we come to this floor as representatives of our constituents. of the American people. And I am astonished to hear some of the comments on this floor. We can disagree in terms of policies. We can disagree in terms of decisions. but to go from that to suggest lies. to suggest deception. to have a distinguished Member on the other side of the aisle say this past weekend that we ought to consider impeachment of the President. this declaration of defeat from the Democrats that is sent to the Presidents desk today ought to be vetoed by this President. � General Petraeus was here last week presenting to us his view of whats happening. And. frankly. I think General Petraeus has a better idea what we need to do than any other erstwhile general sitting here in the halls of Congress. We can only have one Commander in Chief. We had a unanimous decision in the Senate to send General Petraeus there and yet. now you are trying to undercut his mission by this Democratic declaration of defeat. Let us have the President veto it as soon as possible.
Date: 2007-05-01
Speaker: DAVID DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Tennessee

Madam Speaker. here we are again. Another week has gone by. and we are still discussing the Iraq emergency supplemental. The Democrats were successful in forwarding a strategy of cut and run. knowing the entire time their strategy would be vetoed by the President. It is an illconceived idea to state you support the troops on the one hand while on the other hand you push forward with legislation that you know has no chance of gaining the Presidents support. I believe the Democrat leadership owes the American people an explanation of why they would do this. Time is up and the Democrats need to come back to the realization that our troops dont deserve to be caught in the political mess "between the radical left and the rest of the Democrat Party. It is time for a clean supplemental to come to the floor so that we can send the President a bill that supports our troops without handcuffing our generals and withdrawing our troops before this critical mission is complete.
Date: 2007-05-02
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I yield 3 minutes. to the gentleman from California . the distinguished ranking member of the Education and Labor Committee.
Date: 2007-05-02
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Again. I thank my friend. Ms. CASTOR. for the time and her courtesy. and all those who have participated in this debate. � Mr. Speaker. I W�ill be asking for a "no" vote on the previous question so that I can amend this restrictive rule to make in order the amendment offered by Congressman PRICE of Georgia. which seeks to make regulations for emergency rear door exits and safety belts on vehicles used to transport children effective upon enactment of H.R. 1429. This extremely important amendment was denied by the Democrats in- the majority last night in the Rules Committee. In 1992. Congress required the issuance of regulations related to rear door emergency exits and safety restraints on Head Start transportation. Since the final rule for these new regulations was published in 2001. the effective date has been delayed three times. Mr. Speaker. Congress required these regulations in order to ensure the safe operation of vehicles by Head Start agencies. Currently. the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 7 is motor vehicle traffic crashes. Further delaying these requirements means allowing Head Start grantees to transport children using vehicles that are not designed specifically for the safe transport of children. If the previous question is defeated. the Price amendment would be made in order and this delay would be put to an end. This issue. Mr. Speaker. needs to be resolved. and it needs to be resolved no F and this authorization bill is clearly the most appropriate forum in which to do so. Any further delays in the implementation of these crucial safety regulations for children may endanger the lives of children. Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment and extraneous materials immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.
Date: 2007-05-02
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.
Date: 2007-05-02
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Madam Speaker. I rise today to recognize the Pembroke Pines Charter School as we consider H. Res. 344. a bill congratulating Charter Schools. Forty states and the District of Columbia have charter schools. totaling nearly 4.000 schools nationally. Enrollment is approximately one million students or about 2 percent of the Nations elementary. middle and high school enrollment. Over onehalf of all charter schools are in Florida. Arizona. California. Ohio and Texas. The City of Pembroke Pines Charter St"hool is the only citysponsored charter school in Florida. Madam Speaker. the Pembroke Pines Charter School. located in my district. is comprised of seven schools ranging from K12 grades with a total enrollment of nearly 5.400 students. The school is so successful that there is a waiting list of 9.000 students desiring to attend the Pembroke Pines Charter Schools. The Pembroke Pines Charter High School has recently been rated as one of the top two high schools in Broward County. with 93 percent of all Pembroke Pines charter school high school graduates attending college. The Pembroke Pines Charter Schools were among those nominated to.the Center for Education Reform to compete for the honor of being named one of the top charter schools in the Nation. Out of 4.000 charter schools nationwide. 52 charter schools received this acknowledgement of distinction. Madam Speaker. two of thede top charter schools are part of the Pembroke Pines Charter School Syster Ms. Devam Flowers. Prin.cipal of the West Campuses. and other city and school officials will attend a special recognition program at The Center for Education Reform in Washington. DC on May 15. 2007 to receive the "top schools" recognition. for The Pembroke Pines Charter Schools. I commend Ms. Devarn Flowers. the teachers. the administrators and especially the students of Pembroke Pines Charter Schools for their hard work. On the occasion of National Charter Schools week. I am enthusiastically supporting this resolution. Madam Speaker. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 344.
Date: 2007-05-07
Speaker: GINNY BROWN-WAITE (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. first of all. I want to commend you for working with the community to establish a homeless shelter. Having been a county commissioner. I know how heated those public hearings can be when people think that there is going to be a homeless shelter anywhere in the county. let alone anywhere near their particular residence or business. Having a homeless shelter for veterans only is a very. very laudable goal. and there is a camaraderie there that I understand where you are going with that. My question is. do you have any idea how long it would take to go out to competitive bid? And also. as you know and when you were practicing law you may have participated in this. the unsuccessful bidders very often can drag it on ad nauseam because they did not get the bid. Do you have any estimate of how long this process would take. because I think our goals are mutual of having a facility there for veterans?
Date: 2007-05-07
Speaker: DAVID DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Tennessee

Mr. Speaker. I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Michigan . and I ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to control that time.
Date: 2007-05-07
Speaker: DAVID DAVIS (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Tennessee

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 290 honoring the contributions of the Rocky Mountain Senior Games on its 30th anniversary for significantly improving the health and wellbeing of older Americans. We should recognize the hardworking volunteers and the event coordinators that make this weeks events possible. Without their efforts. these games would not be possible. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
Date: 2007-05-08
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. did you know that the Nations border agents have no confidence in their top chief? These men and women are on the front lines of illegal immigration. They want. need. and deserve strong leadership. Recently. the National Border Patrol Council. the union representing the countrys 11.000 nonsupervisory border agents. announced it had cast a unanimous noconfidence vote in U.S. Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar. The vote comes as two border agents sit in jail for doing their jobs. combating illegal immigration. If you are as outraged as I am about the unjust persecution of law enforcement agents. go to pardontheagents.com and sign an online petition urging President Bush to pardon Agents Ramos and Compean.
Date: 2007-05-08
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. I listened to the terms of the gentleman from New Jersey speaking about not leaping first. Its kind of a very aesthetic way to. say to it. No. what hes taking about is leaping on the- American taxpayer. Thats what the Democratic budget does. It does leap on the American taxpayer because it does increase $392 billion on the American taxpayer. This budget does. And all Americans are going to be paying for this. Middleincome families. lowincome earners. families with children. and small businesses. And we have heard again that they dont want to raise taxes in this budget. But if thats true. Mr. Speaker. then lets instruct the conferees to extend these popular tax provisions. these tax relief provisions. Unfortunately. at the committee markup. Mr. Speaker. the Republicans offered several amendments to do just that. aimed at helping the hardworking American taxpayers. Not one single Democrat voted in favor of these commonsense tax cut provisions. And what were they. Mr. Speaker? Because they always like to say. oh. its tax cuts for the rich. No. Lets talk about what they are. what they voted against in committee. without one dissenting vote. They voted against extending the $1.000 per child tax credit. Not only the wealthy have kids in this country. Mr. Speaker. They voted against extending the marriage penalty tax relief. Not only the wealthy get married. at least not in the State of Florida that I represent. They voted against elimination of the death tax. Thats right. They want dead people to pay more taxes. And they voted against extending the State and local tax deduction. How does this affect regular middleclass Americans? Mr. Speaker. a middleincome family of four earning $60.000 will look at over a 60 percent tax increase by the year 2011. One hundred and fifteen million taxpayers will see their taxes increase an average of $1.700 by 2011. In Florida that I am privileged to represent. over 6.7 million taxpayers will see their taxes increase increased by over $3.000.