macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-23
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Mr. Speaker. in closing. I want to thank the gentleman from Mississippi. He mentioned a little while ago that there are some individuals that we name buildings after who are very meritorious. But this is a little bit different. These are three individuals who. frankly. changed our country for the better. and they gave it all. They gave their lives to change our country. to make our country a better place. So this is one of those that. frankly. is of great historic significance. I know its important to the family members. but it is also equally important for our Nation for all to see. for all to remember. for all to know the sacrifices that so many. including these three individuals. made. This is the country that it is because people have been willing over the years to sacrifice. to even give their lives. And this was a tragic moment. Again. what a fitting tribute and reminder it is to name this building. So I want to thank the gentleman from Mississippi. I also need to thank Chairwoman NORTON. She is now at this moment actually chairing her subcommittee. and I want to thank her also for her involvement. for her leadership. for moving this forward so quickly. With that. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-03-23
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Madam Speaker. we have had a number of interesting debates in the last year. last few weeks in particular. One of the things that we should never forget is how precious freedom is and how frail freedom is. Just 90 miles away from our shores at this very moment. at this very instant. there are people who have been enslaved for over half a century under the boot of the same oppressive regime. the dictatorship of the Castro brothers. Half a century of brutality. Just last week marked the seventh anniversary of the beginning of what was known as the Black Spring in Cuba. The Cuban Black Spring in 2003 was where 75 human rights activists. independent journalists. librarians. economists and other peaceful. prodemocracy activists and leaders were jailed for expressing their desire for democracy and democratic change in Cuba. All of them were sentenced to up to 25 years in prison in the worst possible conditions. in the worst possible prisons. Now. that is just some of the thousands of heroes who are standing up for freedom in the enslaved island of Cuba. The majority of this Congress for many. many years has always stood with the Cuban people. has stood in solidarity with the Cuban people and their struggle for that freedom which is inevitable but has cost so dearly for so long. I have a lot to talk about on this issue. Madam Speaker. but before I proceed. I. frankly. am deeply honored to be able to yield time to an individual who has been a leader in this Congress for issues of freedom. a leader in this Congress who has always been speaking out for the oppressed wherever they may be. but who is so well known by the dissidents. by the opposition leaders. by the prodemocracy leaders in Cuba because his name rings as freedom for the Cuban people who have been enslaved. So I yield to the gentleman from Indiana. because it is a privilege to be able to share tonight with a person who everyone in Cubaand there are those Cubans who live in freedom. whether it is in the United States or other parts of the worldrecognizes this gentleman. DAN BURTON from Indiana. as a fighter for freedom.
Date: 2010-03-23
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. To Farinas. Im sorry. To Farinas who is on a hunger strike recently. To talk a little bit about that is a person who has dedicated his life to the cause of freedom. who has spent many years in public service. who will. even though he will be leaving Congress soon. will not stop fighting for the cause of freedom everywhere. not only in Cuba. but obviously. also in particular fighting for the political prisoners. for democracy. for the just causes. for the suffering of the Cuban people. and that is the gentleman from Florida (Mr. LIN-
Date: 2010-03-23
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. If the gentleman will yield on that point. I think its interesting to note this legislation that youre mentioning. it was filed on the same day that Orlando Zapata Tamayo died in prison in a hunger strike. the same day where you would expect solidarity. where you would expect somebody to say. What can we do to help those that are struggling. suffering in prison. That same day. some in this Congress filed a bill to unilaterally lift sanctions. asking nothing in return for that day.
Date: 2010-03-23
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

And granting the Cuban tyranny its number one priority. When some colleagues have come to me and said. What is your opinion on the agricultural bill thats been filed? I said. Do you realize it has very little to do with agriculture? And it is the number one priority of the Cuban tyranny? To receive the countless billions in U.S. tourism unilaterally. thus in exchange for nothing. The prisoners would continue being tortured. the Cuban people would continue being bound and gagged. being denied their ability to speak. much less have free and fair multiparty elections. For over 50 years that would continue. And the regime would have unilaterally its billions. countless billions of U.S. dollars. That is what that bill is about. Its not about agriculture. The regime is allowed to purchase American agriculture by U.S. law. agricultural products. Castro has to pay so that the American taxpayer is not then given the bill afterward for billions. countless billions of dollars that he wont pay after he gets the ability to get financing. And if he gets mass U.S. tourism. then imagine the ability to further repress. to further torture. to further denigrate. discriminate. because the essence of that regime is not only totalitarian regime. it is a racist regime against the Cuban people. I wish to read the list of the heroes. but I think its important that we recognize CHRIS SMITH.
Date: 2010-03-23
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Im also going to ask you to relay a little bit of the conversation that you had with one of the heroes. We were speaking about how the majority of Congress has always had great solidarity with the people of Cuba. One of the gentlemen that you most admireand I knew of him before I got elected to Congress by having conversations with you. and then seeing his record. I also remember seeing a publication. I dont remember exactly what the quote was. but they called him one of the heroes of the oppressed. Not in Congress. just in our country. And so its a privilege to have the gentleman from New Jersey . Again. a hero of those who are oppressed. a hero if anyone is struggling in a political prison. in a gulag. for his or her belief. Its a privilege to have you here. Were talking about heroes and the gulags. We have it easy here because we live in freedom. But we cant forget the struggles of those around the world. including just 90 miles away. I want to thank you for never forgetting. never forgetting those that are struggling like Dr. Biscet who is in there for. frankly. just because he is prolife. So thank you for being here.
Date: 2010-03-23
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Before you leave. though. again. the atrocities are such. I would like. if it is possible. there is a poster there right next to you. Its the last one. I believe. And it shows the women in white. The ladies in white. Theyre the wives and mothers of. daughters of. spouses of political prisoners. And they demonstrate in Havana. And all they do is very quietly they just march. And its a demonstration basically asking for a release of their loved ones. This picture is from last week. That demonstration. that marchits a march. its a peaceful. quiet. marchwas led by Reina Tamayo. whose son had just died in an 80day hunger strike in a prison as a political prisoner. And there you see what happens to those women. peaceful women who just walk quietly. peacefully. A little while ago I showed the Tshirt held up by Reina Tamayo of her son who died in prison. a political prisoner who died in prison after a hunger strike. Imagine the beatings. Imagine the beatings that that human being had to endure. Just look at that Tshirt. And look at that mother. Look at that mother and how anybody can then say. You know something? Were going to unilaterally give that regime what they want. asking nothing in return. Why is that happening?
Date: 2010-03-23
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. You mentioned Brothers to the Rescue. I think it is important to note that this is a regime that obviously incarcerates. and oppresses its own people. but it also has a history of murdering Americans. You mentioned Brothers to the Rescue. Two airplanes. American airplanes. civilian American airplanes in international airspace that were shot down by Cuban MiGs one fine day just because. because they could. because they wanted to. killing four individuals. four innocent individuals that. I guess. their sin was trying to save people in the ocean. looking for people that were in the ocean seeking freedom. And the same regime that killed those individuals is the same regime that harbors multiple terrorists and criminals and fugitives of American law. including cop killers who are living in Cuba. the same regime that right now as we speak. as some will file bills to unilaterally give concessions and asking nothing in return. has another American hostage. Thats the regime that we are dealing with.
Date: 2010-03-23
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

I thank CHRISTOPHER SMITH for. first of all. his leadership. commitment. clarity. History will thank him. as it must. I reiterate my admiration. I want to make a comment with regard to political prisoners. We know of these 25 gravely ill political prisoners. The reason we know is because Guillermo Farinas. the hero on hunger strike. said thats why I am on hunger strike. Release them now before they die. We know of. yes. the names of 200 prisoners of conscience. but we also know that there are thousands of political prisoners for crimes that are only crimes in the fiefdom of a demented totalitarian tyrant. crimes like dangerousness. What is that? Crimes like trying to leave the country without permission. But imagine being in prison and charged with dangerousness. Thousands. countless thousands of Cubans are in the gulag because of socalled crimes like that. They are political prisoners. and they have to be released unconditionally. immediately. as all political parties must be legalizedthe press. labor unionsand free and fair multiparty elections must be scheduled.
Date: 2010-03-23
Speaker: LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

So it is thousands of political prisoners. because we know the names of 200 prisoners of conscience. lets not forget the countless thousands of political prisoners. And you. CHRIS SMITH. and FRANK WOLF. who have not sought to go to Cuba to laugh at the jokes of the tyrants. but rather to meet with Biscet and meet with Farinas and meet with Antunez and meet with the other heroes and the leaders of the future. you were called specifically by name by the Cuban tyrant Fidel Castro "provocateurs who will never enter Cuba." But what he must. he should. know is his days are limited. And the Cuban people. CHRISTOPHER SMITH. are going to thank you and they are going to thank FRANK WOLF. and they are going to thank all those men and women of the world who stood with them. Obviously. we wish there were many more CHRIS SMITHS and FRANK WOLFS. like there are more. now. people. Look at this example in Central Europe and Eastern Europe of solidarity. And more is coming. but much more is needed.
Date: 2010-03-23
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for spending this time and really explaining what is at stake here. It is interesting how those who do get itand again it is important to note that the majority of Congress has stood next and by the Cuban people and continues to stand by the Cuban people. but there are others as well that do. You mentioned the Lithuanians. the Poles. the Czechs. the Romanians. Those who have suffered from lack of freedom understand the frailty of freedom. also particularly understand the horrors of that Marxist regime 90 miles away from the United States. because they suffered under very similar types of totalitarian regimes. But it is interesting to note. I mention this again. that this Congress in a bipartisan fashion stands by the Cuban people. stands by the political prisoners. stands by those relatives who have lost loved ones in the gulags and in the ocean. will continue to stand by the Cuban people. will not be swayed by propaganda. This Congress does not forget the suffering of the Cuban people and does not forget that the most important thing that any human being has is freedom. So I am so grateful to the solidarity of the American people. and I am so grateful because of that strong solidarity of the majority of this Congress. The Cuban people will be free. This Congress will do everything it can to make sure that they know that we are with them. They will be free. They are giving it all. They are sacrificing even their lives. And it is important that tonight they know that they are not alone. they are not forgotten. We know they are there. We admire you. we respect you. and we stand 100 percent behind you. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-03-25
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. you know. Texas is one of 14 States filing a lawsuit challenging the Federal requirement to purchase health insurance as part of the new health law. This is America. We dont force people to hand over hardearned money to a private company against their will. Thats the ultimate overreach of Federal power. and its unconstitutional. Im also upset by the fact that this health care law creates one more government handout. By pushing more and more people into a governmentcontrolled health care plan. were going to reach a point where more Americans depend on the government for help than those who get along by themselves. Thats not right. Americans want. need. and deserve prosperity and success achieved by sacrifice. hard work. selfreliance. and personal responsibility. not government control. Its called the American Dream.
Date: 2010-04-13
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. tax day is a dreaded deadline for millions of Americans. But according to the Associated Press. for nearly half of the U.S. households it is simply somebody elses problem. This April. 47 percent of Americans will pay no Federal income tax at all. According to a new report. the top 10 percent of earners will pay roughly 73 percent of the income taxes collected by the Federal Government. That is just not fair. Being an American is a privilege. not a right. Out of fairness. everyone should have to pay some tax. even if it is just a buck a month. to help pay to live in this great democracy. By pushing more and more people off the tax rolls and having just a few foot the bill for the many. we are punishing hard work. thrift. and sacrifice. This is America. where prosperity and helping your fellow man should mean more than just paying your neighbors taxes. Its about fairness and freedom.
Date: 2010-04-14
Speaker: MARIO DIAZ-BALART (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Flor

ida. Madam Speaker. Id like to yield myself such time as I may consume. The gentleman from Georgia. I think. just did a great job explaining why we are here today. Im not going to go through. again. this distinguished Americans extensive record of public service. I do want to. though. as the gentleman from Georgia just mentioned. highlight what he just said. that this is the first person to serve as chief judge in two different Federal circuits. which is really a remarkable achievement. Also. prior to his appointment to the bench. Judge Godbold was in private practice. but he also served in the U.S. Army. I always like to highlight when were here on the floor and were doing something like naming a building. if. in fact. someone has also served in the U.S. military. which I think is the most noble way to serve our country. I think its important to highlight. So again. I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia for bringing this bill. I understand that the entire Georgia delegation is not only supporting this legislation but are cosponsors with him. Again. this is an individual who has an extensive record of public service. Madam Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-04-14
Speaker: SAM JOHNSON (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I would like to thank the Ways and Means chairman for making my commonsense cell phone fix the cornerstone of the Taxpayer Assistance Act of 2010. Members may recognize this provision as a bipartisan bill. H.R. 690. the Mobile Cell Phone Act. which I have introduced with Mr. POMEROY. As we all know. in todays 24/7 economy. cell phones and BlackBerrys have become the modern version of landline office phones. And yet. unlike landline phones. workers and their employees are supposed to keep detailed call logs or else they will face the wrath of the IRS. This means a business can lose its deduction while a worker can face taxes for making personal calls. This is just wrong. We dont want to nickel and dime workers for making the occasional personal call from a desk. and we shouldnt for cell phones either. Times have changed since Congress passed this rule in 1989 when people carried phones in a suitcase. I used to carry one myself when I was in the Air Force. and I could hardly carry it because it was so heavy. They were used by the likes of highflying corporate executives and cost a small fortune. Even the IRS gets it that times have changed. In fact. last June. IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said in his statement. "The passage of time. advances in technology. and the nature of communication in the modern workplace have rendered this law obsolete." There you have it. even the IRS Commissioner believes that this law needs to be changed. This provision will especially help our Nations small businesses. According to an NFIB poll. nearly four out of five small businesses use a cell phone for work. Now more than ever we need to stop penalizing our jobcreating entrepreneurs with this ridiculous tax rule. Startup small businesses and their employees have better things to do with their time than track each and every call they make. and they shouldnt have to spend time worrying that the IRS will hit them with taxes for personal calls. Even the administration agrees. as they included this proposal in their budget. So how about lets do away with this outdated. obsolete tax rule once and for all.
Date: 2010-04-14
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I just returned from my district. where I had an interesting meeting with people representing one of my companies. that is one of the companies in my district that employs hundreds of people. They told me that as a direct result of the passage of the health care bill and the reconciliation package they have laid off 75 people. Hundreds of jobs are in jeopardy. Why? Because they happen to work for a company called The Ed. Fund. a private sector firm that facilitated the availability of college. yes. loans. Thirtyone thousand people in this industry are in jeopardy of losing their jobs because we decided we needed to nationalize that industry. Its not only the wrongheaded approach to the health care problem. its an antistimulus. antijob bill. Seventyfive jobs already lost in my district. hundreds in jeopardy. thousands across this Nation. Thank you very much. U.S. Congress.
Date: 2010-04-15
Speaker: GARY G. MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. you cannot have employment without employers. One year after the enactment of the $787 billion stimulus package. unemployment continues to hover near 10 percent. yet congressional Democrats just keep on spending. Against the will of the American people. this Congress has enacted a $2 trillion takeover of our Nations health care system and pushed the Nations debt limit to an astounding $14.2 trillion. The burden of this massive spending falls on the shoulders of the American taxpayers. Governmentrun health care alone raises $569 billion through new taxes. regulations. and costly mandates on individuals. employers. and health care providers. Furthermore. the administration proposes to increase taxes by $2 trillion by allowing the vital cuts that benefit small businesses to expire. increasing tax rates on capital gains and reinstating the dreaded death tax. As the economy struggles to recover. Congress must halt this reckless spending and end its assault on American job creators.
Date: 2010-04-20
Speaker: GARY G. MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 1868. a bill Quigley Radanovich Rahall Rangel Rehberg Reichert Reyes Richardson Rodriguez Roe (TN) Rogers (AL) Rogers (KY) Rogers (MI) Rohrabacher Rooney RosLehtinen Ro skam Ross Rothman (NJ) RoybalAllard Royce Rush Ryan (OH) Ryan (WI) Salazar Sanchez. Linda T. Sanchez. Loretta Sarbanes Scalise Schakowsky Schauer Schiff Schmidt Schock Schrader Alexander Barrett (SC) Bishop (GA) Blumenauer Blunt Boccieri Boehner Boustany Schwartz Scott (GA) Scott (VA) Sensenbrenner Serrano Sessions Sestak Shadegg SheaPorter Sherman Shimkus Shuler Shuster Simpson Sires Skelton Slaughter Smith (NE) Smith (NJ) Smith (TX) Smith (WA) Snyder Space Speier Spratt Stark Stearns Stupak Sullivan Sutton Tanner Taylor Teague Terry Thompson (CA) Thompson (MS)
Date: 2010-04-20
Speaker: DANIEL E. LUNGREN (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I asked if I could borrow this display here which really should have minuses in front of all these numbers because essentially these companies had to file in their financial reports the losses that they will incur immediately as a result of the passage and signing into law of the health care reform bill. Now thats bad enough. but even worse was the initial response by this House to them following the law. And it was to receive a letter commanding their CEOs come before a committee of this House. a subcommittee of this House. with all of their internal documents as to how they could come up with this position. Now think about it. This is one of the concerns many of us expressed about having the government take over medical care in this country to the extent this bill allows it: if you criticize the government. you will be called to heel before a committee of the House. Now it is true that that call has been removed. but they have received a letter which told them the Congress will continue watching. This is not democracy. This is not independence. This is what we fought against.