macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 1999-11-04
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. the gentleman will be more than happy to talk about the pending legislation and the failure the last three times that we have had this kind of legislation before us of the Republicans either to move and reach a budget agreement so this Nation will know where we stand with respect to Social Security. the debt and our obligations. both domestic and foreign. the failure of the Republicans to do that under this legislation the previous three times. I think it opens a legitimate question: Why are we now doing this for another 7 days? Why are we not staying here working over the weekend or whatever is necessary? These conference committees have been meeting time and again. But every time they sit down to meet. somebody walks into the room and hands somebody a piece of paper -and the negotiations are off. If you are going to ask the American people to be patient for another 7 days. they have been patient for 5 weeks. while we have not had a budget. They ought to know that in fact there is going to be some chance. some chance of success that we will have a budget that meets the needs of this country and that while we are here. the other 430 Members of Congress that are not engaged in these negotiations. maybe we could get on with the rest of the peoples business. the peoples concerns about their education system. their Social Security system. the HMO system. the minimum wage that -workers need in this country to try to provide for their families. That is why people ought to think long and hard before they just give carte blanche again to another 7 days when we have failed in the past 5 weeks to do the business of this country. the business of Americas families. the business. of Americas elderly.. the business of Americas children.
Date: 1999-11-05
Speaker: SEAN MOORE (democrat)
Chamber: S

Office of Senator Barbara Boxer. U.S. Senate. Washington. DC. DEAR MR. MOORE. in reference to my letter dated August 6. 1999. concerning the case of Mr. Cho BongKoo. I am pleased to inform you that. according to the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT). the Cho Hung Bank and the Daelim Industrial Company have each received a court petition at the end of August. The Embassy has also learned that these two entities are planning to establish legal counsel to. represent their interests regarding this lawsuit. As was mentioned in the attached letter dated August 24. 1998 and addressed to Senator Boxer. the Korean Government is of the view that any remaining questions in transfeiring the management of Samho in the 1980s should be settled through legal procedures in court. I thank you again for your interests and concern. Sincerely yours.
Date: 1999-11-17
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. S. 278 is a companion measure to a bill introduced by my colleague on the Committee on Resources. the gentleman from New Mexico . The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey land known as the Old Coyote Administrative Site to the county of Rio Arriba in New Mexico. The site. which is approximately 307 acres. was formerly used by the Forest Service. but was vacated in 1993 when the Forest Service moved to a new location. The legislation provides for the transfer of the property to.the county at a reduced price. The land must be used for a public purpose. and will revert back to the Federal government if not used for these purposes. It is our understanding the county will continue to use the site for public purposes. including a community centerand a fire substation. Mr. Speaker. S. 278 is a noncontroversial item which I support. I want to congratulate my colleagues who have offered this legislation. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 1999-11-17
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. . Mr. Speaker. S. 382. as just explained by the subcommittee chair. establishes the Minuteman National Historic Site in South Dakota to encompass both the Delta One and .Delta Nine missile site at Ellsworth Air Force Base. We have no problem with this legislation. and recommend its passage. Mr. Speaker. I have no further requests for time. and I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 1999-11-17
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I want to commend the gentleman from Oregon who just spoke in the well for all the work that he did on this legislation. along with the gentleman from Oregon
Date: 1999-11-17
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I would say that the gentleman from Utah has quite properly explained the legislation. The tribe has requested this matter. and it is similar to legislation that we have passed in previous years. I recommend that we support this legislation.
Date: 1999-11-17
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. I simply rise in support of the legislation that he and other Members of the delegation have supported and brought to the floor and commend them for their efforts on behalf of the Apache Reservation. due to the fact that the Environmental Protection Agency has found these very serious violations. I think in fact that this legislation does do what is necessary. and that is. to redeem the trust responsibility of the Federal Government to ensure that this Federal water system supplies the tribe with water that is safe and adequate to meet the health. economic. .and environmental needs of the Jicarilla Apaches. I want to thank the gentleman for bringing this matter to the floor and urge support of this legislation. Mr. Speaker. H.R. 3051 directs the Secretary of Interior to conduct a feasibility study to determine the most feasible method of developing a safe and adequate municipal. rural. and industrial water supply for the residents of the Jicarilla Apache Reservation in New Mexico. The study is to be conducted by the Bureau of Reclamation and in consultation and cooperation with the tribe. Further. the bill provides a report be submitted to Congress 1 year after funds are appropriated to carry out the study and authorizes $200.000 to implement the provisions of the legislation. The Jicarilla Apache Reservation was established in 1887 by executive order and is located at the foot of the San Juan Mountains in northcentral New Mexico. The reservation consists of 742.315 acres and ranges in elevation from 6.500 to 9.000 feet. The existing municipal water system was built by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) which continues to own the system. It is dilapidated and cannot safely and adequately address the current or future needs of the tribe. The system has been cited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for violations of Safe Drinking Water Act standards. It poses a severe health threat to the community and impedes economic development by the tribe. In addition. the system has been unable to meet the minimum Federal water requirements necessary for discharging wastewater into a public watercourse and has been operating without a Federal discharge permit. Over the last several years the tribe has spent over $4.5 million in tribal funds for repair and replacement of portions of the system. This patchwork process will not address the overall problems with the system as it need to be overhauled or replaced. The Federal Government has a trust responsibility to ensure that the Federal water system it supplies to the tribe is safe and adequate to meet the health. economic and environmental needs of tribal members. I want to commend our colleague. Mr. TOM UDALL from New Mexico. for his hard work in getting this bill before us today. It is an important first step toward ensuring future health and economic progress for the Jicarilla Apache Tribe. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Date: 1999-11-17
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. let me say at the outset that I very much appreciate the cooperation of the gentleman from New Jersey and the gentleman from North Carolina and their staffs for working with us to shape this legislation. I am satisfied that the boundary changes authorized in this bill are legitimate technical corrections which will resolve the past mapping errors and boundary discrepancies. and I urge the passage of this legislation. The Coastal Barrier Resources System is critical to the longterm protection of the Nations coastal resources. and we must remain vigilant to protect it from unwarranted encroachment. All this bill would do is substitute a final series of revised maps to replace an earlier series already approved by the House when it passed H.R. 1431 on September 21. This bill would authorize the final agreed upon maps. Let me say from the start. I very much appreciate the cooperation of Mr. SAXrON and his staff in working with the minority in shaping this legislation. I am satisfied that the boundary changes authorized in this bill are legitimate technical corrections which would resolve past mapping errors and boundary discrepancies. Moreover. we have been assured by both the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service that these new boundaries accurately depict the boundaries of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Hopefully this will eliminate any future confusion regarding this matter. We also have made sure that none of the coastal barrier units labeled as L03 have been changed in any way to reduce their spatial areas. And importantly. we have also added approximately 2.300 acres of additional coastal barrier lands to the "otherwise protected area" labeled as NC03P. I want to thank Mr. SAXTON and the gentleman from North Carolina. Mr. JONES. for agreeing to this addition. Experience has made me necessarily cautious when it comes to modifying any coastal barrier boundary. But in this case. I believe we have gotten it right. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker. I have no further requests for time. and I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 1999-11-18
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. reserving the right to object. I do so to yield to the gentleman to quickly explain the bill.
Date: 1999-11-18
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. reserving the right to object. I do so for the purposes of yielding to the gentleman so he may explain the bill.
Date: 1999-11-18
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. reserving the right to object. I do so for the purpose of asking the gentleman from New Jersey to explain his unanimous consent request. Mr. Speaker. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey .
Date: 1999-11-18
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. further reserving my right to object. this bill would authorize a minor map correction to change the boundaries of an otherwise protected area (OPA) to make these boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of a State park. This correction would exclude 14 acres of private land from the OPA. The Committee on Resources has thoroughly reviewed the underlying justification for this map correction and has worked closely with the Fish and Wildlife Service throughout. The Committee has found nothing to prove conclusively that Congress intended to include private lands abutting the boundaries of the State park when it created this OPA in 1990. Also. there is reasonable doubt that these private lands would have qualified for inclusion under the Fish and Wildlife Services designation criteria for otherwise protected areas or undeveloped coastal barriers. This bill will rectify a previous mapping error by the Fish and Wildlife Service and bring this OPA into conformance with congressional intent to use existing park boundaries as the basis for OPA boundaries. The Administration supports this legislation and I urge that the House pass the bill. Mr. Speaker. I withdraw my reservation of objection.
Date: 1999-11-18
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. further reserving my right to object. this bill has been thoroughly reviewed by the Committee on Resources. The technical corrections contained in this bill are legitimate. noncontroversial. and supported by the Administration. I am especially pleased that this legislation would add an additional 213 acres of land within Cape Henlopen State Park to the Coastal Barrier Resource System. I support this bill and I urge an "aye" vote.
Date: 1999-11-18
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. reserving the right to object. I take this time for the purpose of asking the gentleman from New Jersey for an explanation of his unanimous consent request. Mr. Speaker. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey .
Date: 1999-11-18
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. further reserving my right to object. with the recent passing of Senator John H. Chafee. Congress has lost a compassionate and persuasive advocate for the protection and conservation of our Nations natural heritage. Senator Chafees many legislative contributions. including his leadership in authorizing and improving keystone environmental legislation such as the Clean Water Act. the Clean Air Act. and the Endangered Species Act to only name a few. leave a legacy of accomplishment that is both daunting and admirable. As many people know. Senator Chafee deeply loved the coastal barrier beaches and islands of his beloved Ocean State. Perhaps this lifelong affection explains why Senator Chafee worked so tirelessly to create the Coastal Barrier Resource System in 1982. and why he fought so strenuously to protect it in the intervening years. If there really is a way to pay tribute to this modest and selfeffacing man. I can think of no better testimonial than to rename the Coastal Barrier Resources System in his honor. It will serve as a lasting tribute to the man. and a reminder to us all of the important work that still remains unfinished in order to protect our Nations environment. I support this bill and urge all Members to vote for it. Mr. Speaker. I withdraw my reservation of objection.
Date: 2000-02-01
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. let me thank the gentleman for his leadership and all those who stand here on behalf of the American people. Not anywhere can we go in this country that people are not begging for a sensible health care delivery system. We passed this bill 4 months ago. There is no reason why the conference committee could not have acted back then. But we are desperate now and we do need this. People scream out for it. I am a registered nurse. and I see the difference in the quality if we do not have any accountability. These companies dictate to physicians. We want to put the health care back into the hands of the caregiver. not the bureaucrat. Because. my colleagues. what happens is they dictate to the physicians. they dictate to the nurses. but they do not want to take the responsibility for it. Patients need rights. They need to be able to complain when they have been wronged by the system. We cannot get it until we get a good. aboveboard nonpartisan approach to it. It is very. very important.
Date: 2000-02-08
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise to support the resolution and to thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for having the foresight to come with this resolution to pay tribute to this great American. former Speaker Carl Albert. I join the Nation as I represent District 30 of Texas to express sincere sorrow regarding his passing. Speaker Albert passed away last Friday. February 4. after a distinguished career. during which he shepherded the Nation through some of the most difficult years. Beginning in the 80th Congress. Speaker Albert spent the next 30 years representing the citizens of the Third Congressional District of Oklahoma in the U.S. Congress. and helped create a new era of American opportunity. supporting civil rights and antipoverty legislation. Speaker Albert provided invaluable leadership to the House of Representatives as Majority Leader during the 87th through 91st Congresses. and Majority Whip during the 84th through the 87th Congresses. As leader of this legislative body during the 92nd through the 94th Congresses. Speaker Albert fostered a lasting legacy. He successfully steered the Nation through difficult times and ensured a fair forum for democratic discussion on issues ranging from the impeachment of President Nixon to the War in Vietnam. He provided the Nation with stability and security while he was first in line to succeed the President of the United States in 1973 and separately in 1974. Both times he turned down the opportunity to go to the White House in order to continue to represent the people in the Third Congressional District of Oklahoma. He personified great American values throughout his life. He. rose from childhood poverty to become a Rhodes Scholar. winner of the Bronze Star. and a distinguished U.S. Congressman. During a time when we sometimes let partisanship get the better of us. we have but to look to Carl Albert as a symbol of the most esteemed values of the U.S. Congress. I join the Nation in paying tribute to an extraordinary and exemplary citizen who was. during his lifetime. and continues to be. an inspiration to the greatest traditions of democratic representation. I think it speaks well for the type of leadership he offered when we see the congressman that followed him in the Congress that he left in 1977. being elected as a Democrat and returning as a Republican. still representing the same people and upholding the same values as Mr. Albert upheld during his time of tenure. I want to thank the gentleman for being here today to represent the people as well as the Nation in the Third Congressional District of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2000-02-08
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. let me rise and thank the gentleman from Oklahoma . I hope that the gentleman takes it as a compliment when I refer to having served with the label of both parties. and I hope all of us can see that it is something that is bigger than all of us when we speak about a giant in history as we are speaking about Congressman Albert. So I thank the gentleman for the opportunity. Mr. Speaker. I have no further requests for time. and I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2000-03-09
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I am appalled today that there is going to be real debate on whether or not we are going to raise the minimum wage by one dollar over 2 years or 3 years. We are talking about present minimum wage of $5.15 an hour. Can we imagine that in the greatest economy that we have ever known? Persons who are heads of these companies are making multimilliondollar salaries per year and the ones who make them get there cannot even get a dollar raise in minimum wage. These are working mothers who have to pay child care. shelter. food. transportation. Most do not even have health care. so we have to pay that as taxpayers. I cannot believe this Nation ought to be outraged that we are debating whether or not we are going to raise minimum wage by one dollar. just one dollar. over a 2year or a 3year period. That is unconscionable. I do not know anyone in any State that can live on minimum wage and take care of all of their responsibilities. Their responsibilities become ours.
Date: 2000-03-09
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Chairman. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman. I thank the gentleman from Nevada for all of his work and effort in coming to an agreement on this legislation. I know that he has been involved with it for a considerable period of time. Mr. Chairman. I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Nevada . and I again thank her for all of her help and effort on this legislation.
Date: 2000-03-09
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of this amendment. I thank the gentleman from Utah. the gentleman from Nevada. and the gentlewoman from Nevada for working out this amendment to make the bill acceptable to both sides of the aisle. I urge Members to support the amendment.
Date: 2000-03-15
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. let me first commend the chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and our ranking member and all of our leadership. but most especially our chairman. who helped us to negotiate. through lots of tenacity and commitment. this agreed upon conference report. It was not easy coming. but we are very grateful for his leadership. Mr. Speaker. today is where aviation is growing the fastest of any other method of transportation. and it really is an economic engine for practically every community where it exists. and most especially mine. This is the only way that we have goods and services moving at all times. and it has enabled us to enjoy the most prosperous time in our history. We have to attribute much of that to aviation. Numerous jobs have been created because of our ability to move people very rapidly around the world. and all of us know what happens when jobs disappear. That is when we will need many more services spent in other ways. where most of us really do desire to be independent. This is a mode of transportation that really does it. I understand clearly about distribution of funds. But when funds are collected from a particular industry with a commitment that those funds go back to that industry. then I think it is only fair and it only shows integrity when that is what happens to the funds. With the passage of the facility fee. this is not distributed to everyone. only those passengers that use the service. and we need the improvements. That is one clear and fair way to get them.