macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-20
Speaker: JOHN DINGELL (democrat)
Chamber: H

on May 19. 2010. It was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. which waived consideration of the measure to expedite its consideration to the floor today. It enjoys the support of the entire Michigan delegation to the House. Joyce A. Rogers was born March 16. 1931. in Birmingham. Alabama. and passed away at her Brighton. Michigan. home on November 4. 2009. at the age of 78. Joyce Rogers was married to John Rogers for 57 years. and was the mother of five sons. including Michigan State Representative Bill Rogers. Major General James Rogers of the United States. and Congressman MIKE ROGERS. Beyond her devotion to her family. Joyce Rogers was also a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly to improve the Brighton community. serving an integral role in the economic development of the Brighton business community during the 1980s and 1990s. She was an active member of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners from 1985 to 1992. and completed her public service career as executive director of the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce. Through her efforts. Brighton was able to transform into a thriving business community. attracting new residents and customers to the area. She is especially remembered as a tireless advocate for small businesses and a mentor to many women in the Brighton business community. In closing. she has left a lasting impression on the Brighton community as well as a legacy which demonstrates the importance of public service. I therefore urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-07-20
Speaker: ZOE LOFGREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to adopted alien children. as amended.
Date: 2010-07-20
Speaker: ZOE LOFGREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
Date: 2010-07-20
Speaker: ZOE LOFGREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill to provide for adjustment of status for certain Haitian orphans paroled into the United States after the earthquake of January 12. 2010. as amended.
Date: 2010-07-20
Speaker: ZOE LOFGREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to ask our colleagues to support this resolution. and I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-07-20
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Thank you so much. Mr. TONKO. and I just wanted to add a couple of things and then I know Mr. SCHAUER will close us out. But one of the things that I think is important to note that we also have donebecause deficits are really an issue and deficit spending is an issuewe. when we took the majority back. reestablished the PAYGO rules and then enshrined them in statute in this Congress to make sure that legislation that we pass is paid for. that we dont. like most families have to do. like every family I know. cant spend more than they take in. The Republicans let those rules which were originally adopted under the Clinton administration and resulted in the record surpluses that President Bush inherited. they let those rules lapse. Well. we reestablished them because when they let those rules lapse. thats when we ended up in a huge deficit situation. Because of that. we are able to. with the budget that we have adopted. cut the deficit in half over the next number of years and focus on deficit reduction while also making sure that we balance that with investments so that we can get our economy back on track. Thats the difference between us and them. and I hate to say it like that. but. really. there hasnt been a more stark contrast in the choice that Americans have to make in this election. and I look forward to spending some more time on the floor talking with my colleagues about it.
Date: 2010-07-21
Speaker: ED PASTOR (democrat)
Chamber: H

would improve prosecution of unlawful misrepresentation and counterfeiting of American Indian jewelry. pottery. baskets. rugs. and other items under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. H.R. 725 would authorize any Federal law enforcement officer to conduct an investigation of an offense involving the sale of any good that is misrepresented as an Indianproduced good or product that occurs within the United States. On June 23. 2010. the Senate passed H.R. 725 by unanimous consent without changes to the Housepassed text. However. the Senate did add the language of the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 introduced by Senator DORGAN. The House counterpart is H.R. 1924. sponsored by our colleague and valued member of the Natural Resources Committee. Representative HERSETH SANDLIN. In addition. the Senate included provisions from H.R. 1333. which was introduced by Mr. GRIJALVA. H.R. 1333 passed the House by voice vote on September 30. 2009. and would permit tribal governments to use display fireworks for ceremonial and other purposes. Despite the Federal responsibilities to protect Indian communities. the violent crime rate on reservations is 21/2 times the national average. Amnesty International estimates that more than one in three Native women will be raped in their lifetimes. The Tribal Law and Order Act addresses these critical tribal public safety and justice issues by establishing accountability measures for Federal agencies responsible for investigating and prosecuting reservation crime and by providing tribes with additional tools to combat crime locally. Among other vital improvements to existing law. the Tribal Law and Order Act would. one. require the Department of Justice to maintain data on criminal declinations and share evidence with tribal justice officials when a case is declined. number two. authorize tribes to increase sentencing authority for up to 3 years in certain situations. number three. provide tribal police with greater access to criminal history databases such as the National Crime Information Center. and. four. mandate that Indian Health Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs officials provide documents and testimony in prosecutions before tribal courts. In short. the Tribal Law and Order bill would address the profound public safety needs and provide the additional law enforcement and criminal justice resources sorely needed on Indian reservations across the country. I want to commend our colleague. the gentleman from Arizona . for his hard work and dedication to this legislation. I also thank Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN for her efforts for championing the tribal law and order portion of the bill. Both Members are addressing longstanding problems in Indian Country. and I ask my colleagues to support its passage. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2010-07-22
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I am appalled. and my constituents are appalled. at the Republicans disrespect and coldheartedness when it comes to extending unemployment benefits for outofwork Americans. Some Republican Members of Congress and candidates in their party have suggested that unemployment insurance makes Americans too lazy to work. One Republican Member of the House even asked. "Is the government now creating hobos?" Maybe my Republican colleagues dont understand how unemployment compensation works. You only qualify for unemployment if you were employed. Far from being a handout to someone who doesnt want to work. unemployment benefits are specifically designed for people who want to work but who cant currently find work. The Bush recession drove our economy off a cliff creating the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression. As a result. millions of Americans lost their jobs. Nearly 800.000 Americans lost their jobs in the last month of the Bush administration alone. Those are the facts. Now we are beginning to recover from this near economic collapse. Weve seen steady economic growth. including six straight months of private sector job growth. but there are still five unemployed Americans looking for work for every one job opening available. The continued Republican opposition to helping outofwork Americans is preposterous. It flies in the face of history. Since 1959. Congress has never let extended unemployment benefits expire when unemployment is over 7.2 percent. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle claim that we cant afford to help unemployed Americans. but where were they when they ran up the deficit by passing tax cuts for the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans? Where were they when. year after year. President Bushs budget did not include the costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Mr. Speaker. analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office finds that extending unemployment benefits is one of the most costeffective and fastacting ways to stimulate the economy. Moreover. economists agree that extending these benefits will create jobs and decrease the chances of slipping into a doubledip recession. So not only is it the right thing to do to help people who are temporarily out of work. it is also one of the best ways to stimulate local economies. from the very smallest towns to the very biggest cities. Lets do the right thing. Lets pass extended unemployment benefits.
Date: 2010-07-22
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of the over 150.000 residents in the State of Texas who have lost their unemployment benefits since June 2nd. Nationally. over 2.5 million Americans have lost their eligibility for unemployment insurance. at a time when our country is suffering through the most difficult economic slump it has witnessed since the Great Depression. Unemployment insurance helps our country in two crucial ways: First. unemployment insurance assists those hurt most by this recession. Second. unemployment insurance is a major job creator. Nearly 15 million Americans are out of work. Of these 15 million. 46 percent have been out of work for more than six months. In recent months. there have been at least five unemployed workers for every job opening. These are proud. working Americans who have already been victimized by the state of our Nations economy. Why are we victimizing them again by denying them this crucial lifeline? Unemployment insurance is also one of the most stimulative measures the Federal Government can take to help the economy. The Congressional Budget Office has found that for every dollar spent on unemployment benefits. $1.90 of economic growth is generated. In a recent study by the nonpartisan Economic Policy Institute. the expansion of unemployment benefits since 2007 has supported 1.7 million fulltime equivalent positions. These jobs have raised GDP by $244.8 billion. a 1.7 percent boost. In sharp contrast to extending tax cuts for the wealthiest in our country. unemployed Americans will spend their benefits immediately to pay their rent. buy groceries and other necessary goods. thereby creating jobs throughout the economy. This is not simply smart policy. This is a moral issue. We will be helping our friends and neighbors during their time of need. I call upon my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act.
Date: 2010-07-22
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. it is a huge relief for millions of Americans who remain out of work through no fault of their own that the Senate has overcome the Republican filibuster to extend unemployment insurance benefits. It is an insult to the American people to suggest that those who are unemployed are sitting back and not looking for work while taking unemployment compensation. In fact. in order to qualify for unemployment benefits. one must be diligently looking for a job. Extending these benefits is not only the right thing to do for these families. but it is also important for our economic recovery. If these individuals and families are unable to purchase groceries or pay their rent or mortgages. then the entire community suffers. Washington Republicans say they are opposed to these emergency benefits because they claim to be concerned about the deficit. However. they recently announced that they wanted to extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy and add over $700 billion to the deficita sum that would be paid by our children and grandchildren. Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues to support this muchneeded legislation so that we can continue to help American families make ends meet during these difficult economic times.
Date: 2010-07-22
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of the Jones Act. Enacted after World War I. the Jones Act ensures that Americas domestic commerce is carried by U.S. vessels built and repaired in U.S. shipyards. and crewed and owned by U.S. citizens. The Jones Act ensures a ready merchant marine fleet in time of war. And it prevents our economy from being dominated by foreign interests who dont pay American taxes. hire American workers. or even follow American health. safety. and environmental laws. I would expect all patriotic Americans to support the Jones Act. In the past we have. but recently some in this body have tried to blame the Jones Act for BPs failure to clean up its own mess. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is no evidence that the Jones Act has interfered with the cleanup in any way. We are in a recession. Its time to work together to expand American manufacturing and create jobs. not play partisan games. I urge my colleagues to stop posturing and start supporting American families by supporting the Jones Act.
Date: 2010-07-26
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with disabilities Act and its mission to make this nation more inclusive of individuals with disabilities. Over the past 20 years weve made remarkable progress. From increased availability of Braille to wheel chair accessibility in buildings and roads. accommodations have been made to improve the ability of disabled individuals to more easily function in the daytoday tasks we take for granted. In addition to the physical assistance that the ADA offers. it sends a larger message that individuals with disabilities make significant contributions to our society. It was not that long ago that a disability caused severe limits of career. education. housing and lifestyle. Every American deserves the opportunity and accessibility to succeed. and the ADA has made immense strides towards that goal. However. we must recognize this anniversary as an opportunity to continue those efforts. As our society advances in technology it also provides new obstacles to many of those with disabilities. Technology is remarkable. but we must ensure it is safe and accessible. As society evolves so must the ADA. Today as we celebrate our accomplishments we commit ourselves to a bright future for the millions of disabled individuals who have been assisted by the ADA. I strongly support H. Res. 1504 and urge its passage.
Date: 2010-07-26
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. today we mark the 20th anniversary of one of the most defining and effective civil rights law passed by Congressthe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). More than twenty years ago. Americans with disabilities were too often denied the opportunity to fully participate and integrate into our society due to intolerance and unfair stereotypes. Because of this discrimination. they encountered lower employment rates. lower graduation rates. and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities. With the ADA. new opportunities were open for millions of Americans with disabilities by making essential services such as housing. buildings. transportation. and other daily needs more accessible. Individuals with disabilities were given an opportunity to succeed in the workplace and in life. Though we have made progress in improving access in all aspects of life for Americans with disabilities. many continue to confront barriers that inhibit them from fully participating in our society by facing inequalities in education. transportation. housing and technology. We must continue to work to ensure that individuals with disabilities are not denied the opportunities that people without disabilities enjoy. Just a few years ago. Congress passed legislation in a bipartisan manner that restored the original intent of the ADA after the Federal courts slowly chipped away at the broad protections of the law. The House is leading by example in honoring the ADAs mission of inclusion and equal opportunity. Today. Representative LANGEVIN is presiding over the House floor due to recent modifications to the Speakers Rostrum that enables him and all future Members in wheelchairs to do so. They havent been able to do so in the past. I congratulate Representative LANGEVIN on this achievement and commend his hard work in making this day happen. Mr. Speaker. as we celebrate the anniversary of a law that has transformed this country since 1990. let us recommit ourselves to ensuring that all Americans with disabilities live as independent. selfsufficient members of our society.
Date: 2010-07-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1504. "Recognizing and honoring the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990". introduced by my distinguished colleague from Maryland. and Majority Leader. Representative HOYER. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation in the last few decades. and has had overwhelmingly bipartisan support. It was implemented to "provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities." It places an affirmative obligation on employers. government entities. and places of public accommodation to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal chance to participate in mainstream American life. and that reasonable accommodations be made to remove barriers that might prevent full participation in society by people with disabilities. In the twenty years since ADAs enactment. it has had an undeniable. positive impact on the lives of disabled Americans. People in wheelchairs now have access to places they could never go twenty years ago. or only with great difficultymovie theaters. restaurants. clothing stores. and government buildings. Now. people who use service animals to participate in regular daily life are allowed to bring them where they previously couldnt. The disabled are no longer excluded from places of business. mass transit. or schools. Just as disabled Americans benefit directly from the improvements that the ADA has made in our society. so have we all benefited. Before the passage of the ADA. those Americans with disabilities were unable to meet their full potential. due to the physical barriers to education and employment. As they were denied the opportunity to participate in society. we were all deprived of their contribution to our economy. scholarship. research. and civic life. Today. we are better able to benefit from the contribution of all Americans. there is no better illustration than the fact that. today. Congressman LANGEVIN presides from his wheelchairraised to the Speakers rostrum by a mechanical lift. Last week. the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution. Civil Rights. and Civil Liberties held a hearing on the ADA. We heard from our witnesses about the impact the ADA has had on their lives. some who grew up with the ADA and its benefits. and others who had previously been unaware of the ADA and found how important it was after a lifechanging event. The ADA has had a profound impact on American life. but there is still more to do. I join with Representatives HOYER. SENSENBRENNER. LANGEVIN. and the other cosponsors of this resolution in honor of the Americans with Disabilities Act. and in their pledge to continue to improve the ADA and its impact on the lives of disabled Americans. I urge my colleagues to join me in that support.
Date: 2010-07-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1543. "Honoring the educational significance of Dr. Jane Goodalls work on this the 50th anniversary of the beginning of her work in Tanzania. Africa." Dr. Goodall once said: "Young people. when informed and empowered. when they realize that what they do truly makes a difference. can indeed change the world. They are changing it already." This is the creed in which Dr. Goodall has based her entire lifes work. In May 1956. a friend of Dr. Goodall invited her to visit her farm in Kenya. She was so excited. she quit her job in London and moved back to Bournemouth so she could waitress and earn the fare she needed to get to Africa and back. Dr. Goodall or "Jane." as she was known back then. was 23 years old at the time. Jane had a wonderful time seeing Africa but the single most important event of her time in Africa was meeting Dr. Louis Leakey. a famous anthropologist and paleontologist. Leakey hired Jane as his assistant and secretary at the Coryndon Museum and soon Jane and another young student were in the Olduvai Gorge digging up fossils with Dr. Leakey and his wife: anthropologist Mary Leakey. Looking for someone to go to Tanzania and study the chimpanzees. Dr. Leakey found a willing assistant in Jane. Not much was known about wild chimpanzees at that time. Dr. Goodall figured that studying them would be a fascinating adventure. With persistence. Dr. Jane developed a relationship with the chimpanzees and observed them doing things that only humans were thought to have done. such as creating tools to hunt for food and taking in orphan chimps to raise as their own. She also discovered that chimps were not primarily vegetarians. as first believed. After these discoveries. National Geographic decided to sponsor Janes work and sent a photographer and filmmaker. Eventually. Dr. Goodall wrote a number of journals and books to document her experiences. One of her books in particularly. "In the Shadow of Man and Through a Window" gave a new outlook to chimpanzees of Tanzania to people all over the world. In conclusion. I support H. Res. 1543 and commemorate the 50th year of the beginning of her groundbreaking research. Dr. Goodall has been a role model for youth of all ages. inspiring boys and girls alike to take action for people. animals. and the environment. and through her Jane Goodall Institute. Dr. Goodall established the Roots and Shoots global youth program which now has members in more than 110 countries. This resolution acknowledges the groundbreaking environmental education advancements by the Jane Goodall Institutes Roots and Shoots initiative on the 50th anniversary of the beginning of Dr. Jane Goodalls research. as well as the role that her research played in understanding both the natural and human world. It also recognizes the adventurous spirit of Dr. Goodall and the way she inspired children around the world explore this world and all its wonder.