macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1983-09-20
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise In support of H.R. 3914. a bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to make an earlier announcement of the 1984 crop feed grain program and of the 1985 crop wheat and feed grains programs. This bill replaces H.R. 3564 which had passed the Congress but was vetoed by the President on August 12. 1983. H.R. 3914 is compromise legislation that is supported by the administration and generally meets the objectives sought by the committee In H.R. 3564. As was the case with the earlier legislation. the compromise proposal would change the final date for announcing the acreage limitation program for th. 1984 and 1985 crops of feed grains from November 15 until October 1 of the year preceding the year in which the crop is harvested. and In the case of wheat from August 15. 1984. to July 1. 1984. However. in addition it would vest the Secretary with authority to make appropriate adjustments In the announcement within 30 days of such dates if the Secretary determines that there has been a significant change .in the total supply of the affected commodities since the earlier announcement. This legislation Is designed to meet a perennial complaint made by farmers regarding participation in wheat and feed grain programs requiring acreage cutbacks that - these programs are never announced early enough so that farmers can maximize their participation in the programs. The Inconvenience and added cost of having to adjust production after production plans have already been adopted discourages many farmers from participating in the offered program. Many farmers cannot afford to participate in these programs because the benefits of the program do not offset the financial losses they would experience by Idling land that has already been prepared for cropping. This earlier date of announcement would encourage greater farmer participation. thereby making our farm programs more effective and cost efficient. Early announcement of next years wheat and feed graiji programs Is also extremely Important to farm suppliers. For instance. the delayed pay..mentinkind (PIK) program announcement aggravated the severe financial bind agribusiness experienced In 1983. The bill should allow Government officials sufficient time to assess the present years production In relationship to the expected demand. With this information in hand. these officials would then be In a position to decide. given the estimated seasonend carryover stocks. whether a wheat and feed grain program would be needed in the next crop year and if so. design and announce the details of the program by these dates. The drought that has afflicted agriculture has changed only the need for another massive acreage reduction programnot the need for an early program announce. ment. I would like to read to the Members a letter I have received from the Secretary of Agriculture in support of the provisions contained in H.R. 3914:
Date: 1983-09-20
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield such time as he may consume to our colleague. the. gentleman from Iowa . the original author of the legislation. the bill that passed Initially. and this bill. -
Date: 1983-09-20
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that the veto message of the President on the bill. H.R. 3564. together with. the accompanying bill. be referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
Date: 1983-09-20
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 3914. the bill previously passed. and on the unanimous consent request with reference to the veto message of the President on the bill. H.R. 3564.
Date: 1983-09-21
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentleman for yielding. .Mr. Chairman. I want to Join in the commendation of the gentleman. I was a little concerned onthe overall legislation. not that I would vote against it. because I know the need that there Is. but I was concerned that under the formula we may not have complete equity or fairness in the rural areas. Not even the gentlemans amendment would bring us to full equity. but it will be helpful. I will support it as I will also the legislation should the amendment be adopted.
Date: 1983-09-21
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I move to strike the requisite nurnber of words. Mr. Chairman. I would liketo ask the gentleman from Pennsylvania a question or two. As I read the amendment. it states that 100 percent of the funds created- by this act will go to people who are unemployed.
Date: 1983-09-21
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

If the gentleman will answer a further question. as I understand it. this money would go to those people who are classified as having been unemployed for at least 6 weeks Immediately prior to the date of enactment of this act. Do I understand that If this amendment Is passed. anyone who may become unemployed for a period of 6 weeks. beginning the week after this act It. enacted. that person would not be subject to unemployment benefits?
Date: 1983-09-21
Speaker: WILLIAM OREN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Middletoton. N.Y. DEAR MRs. OREN: Our prayers are with you during this tragic time. The circumstances of the loss of your husband are an outrage. rallying mankinds sense of Justice. All sorrow is essentially personal. but in this critical case. your sorrow is deeply shared by all of us. Your grief is humanitys. touching the hearts of people around the world. Barbara and I join in this collective expression of condolences. May Gods peace be with you during this painful hour. Sincerely.
Date: 1983-09-22
Speaker: P ROXMIRE (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. the reality of Hitlers Holocaust against the Jewish people of Europe has. Indeed. been documented and condemned. The horror of his means has long been made evident to all who care to knowthe crematoria. the mass graves. the experimental torture. It Is hard enough for Americans. so accustomed to democracy and an open society. to grasp the level of terror perpetuated against an Innocent group of people. Yet even more horrible Is the crime against a group so often overlooked when we think of the Holocaust: the mass destruction of children. There Is a certain innocence about children. an innocence that exists merely by a lack of knowledge about the bad things in the world. We Americans. like so much of the world. treasure our children. They are not only the future of our society. but they also inspire their parents to work toward a better society. Could we have tolerated the destruction of our own children? Obviously. the answer Is no. To moral and civilized men. the destruction of others fragile children Is .no leSs tragic:1 Hitlers reign of terror against the Jewish people included their children. Not only did these children witness the tragic and inhumane destruction of their elders. but they. too. faced death by similar means. Their Ilives were destroyed. their youthful innocence shattered. There is perhaps nothing as painful to see as the faces of the children of a genocidal war. children In the midst of death. Yet even in the wake of their horror. we find those who managed to maintain their youthful air. their sense of Innocence. In a collection of poems by children who were caught up in the Holocaust. entitled "I Never Saw Another Butterfly." we are made aware of this fragile yet enduring characteristic of childhood. They expressed theirfears. they showed their tears. but they never lost that final glimmer of hope. Mr. President. if the adult victims of a genocide cannot stir us into action. perhaps the children can. Our ratification of the Genocide Convention. which has been pending in this body since 1949. 34 yearsPresident after President has called on us to act. and we should act at long lastcan only help us bring future perpetrators of genocidal destruction of people to clearcut and thoroughly legal justice.
Date: 1983-09-27
Speaker: ST GERMAIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of House Joint Resolution 366. which is necessary to provide extensions of the authorities of the Secretary of HUD to insure mortgages under provisions of the National Housing Act. In addition. the resolution extends the authority of the Farmers Home Administration to continue the rural housing programs. and. finally. the resolution extends the three Federal insurance programs administered by the Federal Insurance Administrationflood insurance. crime insurance. and riot reinsurance. Originally. this extender resolution provided for only a 30day extension of authorities. but with an amendment called up today by the distinguished chairman of the Housing Subcommittee. Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas. the extension would be for 60 days. until November 30 of this year. We are providing for this additional time period at the request of the leadership of the Senate Banking Committee. They have told us that they need this additional time to attempt to pass the Senate housing authorization bill. S. 1338. A week ago. Mr. Speaker. I would not have agreed to this more lengthy extension. but In the past week. the leadership of the Senate -Banking Committee has Indicated to me that they are attempting to get the Senate housing authorization bill approved by the Senate and to conference with the House bill. H.R. 1. Mr. Speaker. I urge adoption of House Joint Resolution 366 with the pending amendments.4i
Date: 1983-09-29
Speaker: JOHN H. GIBBONS (democrat)
Chamber: S

Director. Office of Technology Assessment. U.S. L"ongress. Washington. D.C DEAR JOHN: As you know. the Commonwealth Institute of Health. University of Sydney. conducted a study entitled "CaseControl Study of Congenital Anomalies and Vietnam Service". The report was Submitted to the Australian Minister for Veterans Affairs on January 24. 1983. The studys conclusion. as stated In the summary of the report. that "Wthere is no evidence that Australian Army service in Vietnam has Increased the risk of the birth of a [veterans] child with an anomaly". is naturally of great Interest to those members of the U.S. Armed. Forces In Vietnam concerned about any excess risk of parenting birthdefective children. Thus. I would very much appreciate your review and comment on this study. particularly your evaluation of the methods used and the conclusions drawn from the data collected. I have always found the OTAs reviews of studies and surveys related to the health effects of exposure to phenoxy herbicides most valuable and have appreciated the opinions and perspective they provide on such matters. Thank you for your continuing cooperation with the Committee. With warm regards. Cordially.
Date: 1983-09-29
Speaker: JOHN H. GIBBOS (democrat)
Chamber: S

Director. Office of Technology Assessment U.S. Congress. Washington. D.. *DEAR JOHN: As you know. on June 2. 1983. Congressman Tom Daschle released certain parts of a study entitled "Investigation of the Immune Capability of Workers Previously Exposed to 2. 3. 7. 8Tetrachlorodibenzoparadioxin. TCDD" conducted by Dr. A. Milford Ward of the Department of Immunology. Royal Hallamashire Hospital. Sheffield. England. A copy of this study as released by Congressman Daschle Is enclosed for your convfinience. It has been suggested that this study documents that exposure to dioxin can cause a longterm breakdown In the human bodys immune system. which. according to Congressman Daschle. "would explain the wideranging maladies reported for years by veterans exposed to Agent Orange." A New York Times article of June 3. 1983 (copy enclosed) reported that when Dr. Ward was reached by the Associated Press In Sheffield. England. he "said he found that workers exposed to large doses of dioxin In a chemical plant explosion about 14 years ago suffered depression of their immune systems that leaves them open to minor lifction. such as the common cold. but added that there was no evidence of any increased Incidence of more serious diseases." In view of the interest in this study and its findings In terms of the question of the longterm adverse health effects of Agent Orange. confusion about the meaning of the studys results should be cleared up as soon as possible. Thus. I would very much appreciate the review and comment on this study by the Office of Technology Assessment. Including an appraisal of what conclusions regarding the effects of TODD on the human Immune system can be drawn from It and the significance. In lay terms. of Dr. Wards findings. I would also appreciate learning your views on what followup work. if any. to Dr. Wards study would be appropriate and what entity should carry out such work. I have always found the OTAs reviews of studies and surveys related to the health effects of exposure to substances contaminated by dioxin most valuable and have appreciated the opinions and perspective they provide on such matters. I look forward to receiving the results of your review of Dr. Wards study. Thank you for your continuing cooperation with the Committee. With warm regards. Cordially.
Date: 1983-09-30
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I would like to commend the gentleman for this amendment. and I would like to associate myself w.~ith the statement that he just made. I think it is time for this CongressI think the American people are demanding it. in the letters and in the correspondence that I getgo on record to try to cut off some of the goods. wares and merchandise that we are selling to the Soviet Union. The shooting down of that plane is still a red hot issue in my part of the country. I am getting letters daily asking that we do exactly what the gentlemans amendment does. I commend him for it. and I support it. I hope that the amendment passes.
Date: 1983-09-30
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I move to strike the requisite number of wvords. Mr. Chairman. I had no Intention of getting Involved in this. other than just to express myself to the gentleman from Florida a moment ago. but I am appalled at the wishywashy position that. the Congress is taking with reference to this amendment and with reference to the Soviet Union. This amendment to me Isi crystal clear In what It says. It says: Any license to export to the Soviet Union any good or technology subject to export controls under this section shall be denied unless the President determines that such export Is in the national Interest of the United States. I do not believe any Member of this body desires to go back to his or her district and state that we have gone on record as being In favor of selling materials of a technical nature to the Soviet Union. Frankly. I would like to. not sell them a thing. But I know that grain Is not covered by this amendment. Everybody has admitted that. That Includes the present sale and future sales. And even If it was. as I view this amendment. the President would have the right to determine whether or not this export Is in the national interest. If the President saw fit to give a grain contract. present or future. if it is in the national Interest of this country. he would have the right to do it regardless of what we did. Someone said. "Well. why dont we wait until the State Department acts?" I do not want to wait on the State Department. I want to go ahead and let the American people know that the Congress of the United States has a very dim view of what the Soviet Union has done in the last 30 days. and the only way we can go on record to support that position is to say. "We are not going to sell you anything that you can use on us." Mr. Chairman. I think that Is the gist and the guts of this amendment. and I urge my friends. the Members of this body. to support this amendment.
Date: 1983-09-30
Speaker: SAM B. HALL (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. S. 461 is a bill which reauthorizes and strcnghithens the Office of Goverment Ethics. This bill also clarifies and strengthens several provisions of thle Ethics In Government Act of 1978. S. 461 was originally passed by the Senate on March 24. 1983. The House passed an amended form of the bill on September 19. 1983. On September 28. 1963. the Senate again passed S. 461. but with several additional amendm ents. The amendment I have at the desk reflects a compromise reached by the committees of the House who have worked on this legislation. It resolves the few provisions that differed in the House and Senate versions of the bill. This amendment would make only three changes in S. 461 as it originally passed the House. First. this amendment would give the Director of the Office of Government Ethics a 5year term of office. The purpose of this provision is to strengthen the independence of the Office and to underline its importance. Thle President would retain the authority to remove the Director from office during his or her term. however we would encourage the President to explain the reasons for any such removal. Second. this amendment would provide that the Office of Government Ethics will have the authority to request the assistance of the Inspectors General in conducting investigations authorized by the Ethics in Government Act. The Inspector General cur*rently assists the Office in these investigations. Thisprovision merely makes It clear that this cooperation is statutorily authorized. Third. and finally. the amendment provides that White House aides who are compensated at rates equivalent to executive level II of the Executive Schedule will be subject to the 15percent limit on outside earned Income to which other executive branch employees are subject. The original House version of S. 461 extended this coverage to 69 White House employees. this amendment applies the provision to 25 White House employees. The three provisions of this amendment have been agreed to by the House Committees on the Judiciary and Post Office and Civil Service. The chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Subcommittee which has jurisdiction of S. 461 has stated that these provisions are acceptable to him. The administration supports this compromise. I urge adoption of the amendment.0
Date: 1983-10-03
Speaker: WON PAT (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speakers table the Senate bill to authorize $15.500.000 for capital Improvement projects on Guam. and for other purposes. and ask for its immediate consiceration In the House.
Date: 1983-10-03
Speaker: WON PAT (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days In which to revise and extend their remarks on the Senate bill Just considered and passed.
Date: 1983-10-04
Speaker: ST GERMAIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. it is often said that "A prophet is not without honor. save in his own country. and in his own house." I am pleased to report that this ageold adage does not apply to the Columbus CitizenJournal editorial of September 30. 1983. which acknowledges the leadership role of CHALmERs P. WYLIE. the distinguished ranking minority member of the Committee on Banking. Finance and Urban Affairs. In support of our efforts to maintain and strengthen the IMF and our international regulatory structure. The editorial referred to follows: [From the Columbus (Ohio) CitizenJournal. Friday. Sept. 30. 1983]
Date: 1983-10-05
Speaker: BE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. this morning I attended. at the invitation of the President. the Rose Garden ceremony launching the Caribbean Basin Initiative. and I was proud to attend this ceremony as the Representative of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands. I sincerely hope. Mr. Speaker. that the President and his administration. and that this Congress will recognize that the U.S. Virgin Islands can play a very effective role. and can be a major asset to the United States in making certain that this new focus on the Caribbean will bring about the positive results we all desire. During the year and a half of debate on the CBI. I consistently pointed out to my colleagues the extraordinary close ties between the U.S. Virgin Islands and the neighboring island nations of the eastern Caribbean. Over half of the entire population of the U.S. Virgin Islands can trace their roots to these other islands. We are the media center that links the islands together. the educational and training center where so many of our neighbors acquire the skills and knowhow to benefit their own families and island nations. Just recently. Mr. Speaker. I was privileged to represent the Interior Committee of the House at the Independence Day ceremonies for the newest nation of St. Christopher and Nevis. and I was struck by how many of the high ranking officials of the new island nation had studied and trained at the College of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The same Is true in many other Islands. The potential the U.S. Virgin Islands offers the United States as a positive force In the Caribbean is enormous. We can serve as the essential political bridge the United States must have to achieve Its goals in the Caribbean. In the weeks ahead. I will be speaking again on this matter. Mr. Speaker. and hope that my colleagues will listen carefully to the message I bring regarding the U.S. presence in the eastern Caribbean.
Date: 1983-10-05
Speaker: DE LUGO (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. this morning I attended. at the invitation of the President. the Rose Garden ceremony launching the Caribbean Basin Initiative. and I was proud to attend this ceremony as the Representative of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands. I sincerely hope. Mr. Speaker. that the President and his administration. and that this Congress will recognize that the U.S. Virgin Islands can play a very effective role. and can be a major asset to the United States in making certain that this new focus on the Caribbean will bring about the positive results we all desire. During the year and a half of debate on the CBI. I consistently pointed out to my colleagues the extraordinary close ties between the U.S. Virgin Islands and the neighboring island nations of the eastern Caribbean. Over half of the entire population of the U.S. Virgin Islands can trace their roots to these other islands. We are the media center that links the islands together. the educational and training center where so many of our neighbors acquire the skills and knowhow to benefit their own families and island nations. Just recently. Mr. Speaker. I was privileged to represent the Interior Committee of the House at the Independence Day ceremonies for the newest nation of St. Christopher and Nevis. and I was struck by how many of the high ranking officials of the new island nation had studied and trained at the College of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The same Is true in many other islands. The potential the U.S. Virgin Islands offers the United States as a positive force In the Caribbean is enormous. We can serve as the essential political bridge the United States must have to achieve its goals in the Caribbean. In the weeks ahead. I will be speakIng again on this matter. Mr. Speaker. and hope that my colleagues will listen carefully to the message I bring regarding the U.S. presence In the eastern Caribbean.