macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise to support the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Act. This important legislation will modernize our air traffic control systems. improve safety. and protect passenger rights. This bill will provide historic funding levels to improve airports. streamline operations. and update our air traffic control system to make it safer and more efficient. It strengthens air carrier oversight and revises training requirements to ensure that all the pilots in the cockpit have the most advanced certification. Finally. it provides vital consumer protections to make sure that when there are long delays on the tarmac. passengers have the option to leave the plane. I hope my colleagues will join me to support this bill and that we move quickly to reconcile differences with the Senate and enact this muchneeded legislation.
Date: 2010-03-25
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I have good news. and I thank the gentlewoman from New York. While my colleagues are talking about process. which has been approved by our Parliamentarians. and while profanity reigns on our phones. we are saving lives: 45.000 who have died every year because they have not had insurance. No doctors offices have closed. The hospitals are open. And the attorney generals are filing frivolous lawsuits. because if they would look at what the bill stands for and the present bill. they will know that the seniors doughnut hole will be closed. that the special deals have been taken out. that community health centers that will allow you to come out of your house. walk down the street. and go to a physicians office is expanded by $11 billion. They will understand that Medicaid has been expanded and right now individuals. 133 percent or 400 percent of poverty. can actually go and see a doctor. Maybe the mother who has insurance that only covers the emergency rooms can now get her children preventative care. Vote for this reconciliation bill to save lives.
Date: 2010-03-25
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. pursuant to House Resolution 1225. I call up the bill to provide for reconciliation pursuant to Title II of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010 (S. Con. Res. 13). with the Senate amendments thereto. and ask for its immediate consideration.
Date: 2010-03-25
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 4872.
Date: 2010-03-25
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of this legislation. the last leg of a long journey to bring historic health insurance and student loan reforms to the American people. Two days ago President Obama made our first piece of groundbreaking health reforms the law of the land. a remarkable moment that will benefit millions of American families and small businesses. Our health insurance reforms and student loan reforms are truly historic. But the benefits for Americans start right now. And with this law. we make college more affordable and health care available to all Americans. Thats what we promised we would do. and thats what we did. We voted to do whats right for the American people. not for the insurance companies. Our reforms responded directly to what we have been hearing from families and small businesses who are getting crushed by todays broken and unsustainable health insurance system. Our reforms respond to what weve been hearing from millions of students and families. working very. very hard to try and pay for college. And thats what were voting on today. Were voting to make student loan payments more manageable for new borrowers. to strengthen community colleges. to invest in minorityserving institutions. to embolden the programs to help students succeed at gaining a college degree. and to reduce the deficit by $10 billion. Were voting to restore faith in the American Dream. to ensure quality affordable insurance for all Americans. and to invest in students and in our economys future strength. Thats what Democrats in Congress and President Obama are doing for the American people this year. I want to thank Speaker PELOSI. Majority Leader HOYER. Majority Whip CLYBURN. and our entire leadership team for their tremendous work on this matter. I want to thank Chairmen WAXMAN. LEVIN. and SLAUGHTER. the Dean of the House. JOHN DINGELL. Representatives RANGEL. ANDREWS. PALLONE. and STARK for their outstanding contributions to this effort. And I want to thank my counterpart in the Senate. Senator TOM HARKIN. for joining me on insisting on doing whats right for our families and our students. Tonight we have the ability to put in the hands of every American family health security and a more affordable opportunity to have their children achieve a college education. Thats the road to prosperity. Thats the road to freedom for Americas families. for our students. for our economy. and for the future of this country. Join me tonight to vote "aye" for our families. for our small businesses. and for America. Vote "aye" tonight.
Date: 2010-03-25
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. once again the House is voting on legislation that strengthens the new health care reform law that was enacted earlier this week which will bring quality. affordable. and accessible health care for all Americans. Tonight. we bring this exhaustive. yearlong process to a close. The new health reform law will bring down health care costs for American families and small businesses. expand health coverage to an additional 32 million Americans. and end the abusive practices of insurance companies. By the end of this year. children with preexisting conditions will no longer be denied coverage. health plans will be prohibited from placing lifetime caps on coverage. young people will be able to remain on their parents health insurance policies up to their 26th birthday. small businesses will get tax credits so that they can provide affordable health coverage to their employees. and seniors will get help in paying for their high prescription drug costs. Mr. Speaker. Im glad we finally got the job done on a very important issue that so many people have fighting for over so many decades.
Date: 2010-03-25
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise to give tribute and congratulate Sisters Network. a national organization of African American women who have come together to stamp out breast cancer. Proudly. they will hold their first walk against breast cancer and seeking a cure this April 10. 2010. in Houston. Texas. They will be holding their national convention. Karen Jackson is their president and a survivor. I have had the pleasure of speaking to these wonderful women who go and reach out to others to help them secure an opportunity for preventative care. I am glad we have just recently passed a health care bill that will provide mammograms and preventative care for women so that we can stop this horrible disease. And the only way we can do it is to be preventative. to have testing. and to ensure that you are seeing a doctor. We will be walking to save lives on April 10. but this health care bill will be a partner in saving lives and helping these women who suffer. Now they will have a reason to know that there is hope.
Date: 2010-03-25
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. many years ago I heard Dr. Benjamin Hooks. who at the time was the executive director of the National NAACP. proclaim in the words of C.A. Tinsley. "Harder yet may be the fight." I thought I understood what he meant at the time. however. events as of late have provided additional occularity and given me greater clarity with reference to this statement. "Harder yet may be the fight." First. a brief vignette. On Sunday. prior to voting on the health care bill that was signed by the President. as I was leaving the Cannon Office Building. I had a friend to share with me what was thought to be some sage advice. My friend indicated that it might be prudentnot necessarily in these wordsor judicious to make my way to the Capitol Building by way of the tunnel because there were persons who were saying ugly things and doing ugly things in the area that I would have to traverse. I thought. And as I thought. I reflected on Rosa Parks. a lone African American female in the segregated South. who concluded on one evening that she was going to stand up for justice and do what was right by taking a seat on a bus. And little did she know that. by taking that seat. she would ignite a spark that would start a civil rights movement. I would add that it was Virginia Durr. an Anglo female. who posted the bail for Rosa Parks to get out of jail. I reflected on 1965 and what we now know as Bloody Sunday. when there were persons who wanted to peacefully march from Selma to Montgomery. and they knew that as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge there were members of the constabulary waiting on the other side of the bridge prepared to do them harm under the color of law. And they did. I would also remind us that it was Frank Johnson. an Anglo Federal judge. who signed the law that allowed the march to continue. He signed an order. And as I reflected on these incidents. I realized that if Rosa Parks could take that seat by herself. surely I could cross that street and come over to vote. And I realized that if those marchers. including JOHN LEWIS. could march into the constabulary armed with clubs. I could surely cross that street with a constabulary out to protect me. And so I bring these thoughts to the attention of this House because this truly is a fight. C.A. Tinsley was right. The fight is not yet over. Harder yet may be the fight. But I want to commend those persons of good will who have stood up and spoken up against the behavior that was exhibited by the persons who were out on the streets. I commend every person. Republican. Democrat. It doesnt matter your party affiliation. This kind of behavior merits condemnation. I would simply close with this. As we move forward and as these kinds of ugly incidents take place. I beg that we would continue to condemn this behavior. because C.A. Tinsley was right: Harder yet may be the fight. Might may often yield to right. Wickedness awhile may seem to reign. and Satans cause may seem to gain. But theres a God that rules above. with a hand of power and a heart of love. And when were right. he will help us fight. Harder yet may be the fight.
Date: 2010-04-13
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise before you today in support of H. Res. 1222. Supporting the goals and ideals of National Library Week. I would like to thank my colleague. Rep. VERNON EHLERS. for introducing this resolution. I support this legislation because on National Library Week. April 11th through the 17th. communities across the U.S. will recognize the contributions made by all library workers including librarians. support staff. and others who make library services possible. It also promotes increased public awareness of the significant contributions made by libraries to further the academic achievement and lifelong learning of our students. In addition National Library Week strengthens a belief in the value of libraries and positions librarianship as a desirable career opportunity. This years theme. "Communities thrive at your library." illustrates how the library is at the root of a thriving community. reminding individuals and informing others that the library is the place where people of all backgrounds learn and grow together. Americas libraries and their workers remain valuable community assets during tough economic times. Also. with more businesses requiring online job applications. jobseeking resources are among the most critical and popular resources available in U.S. public libraries. Libraries provide not only the hardware and software applications. but they also offer skilled librarians who help teach people how to use the Internet and find the information they need quickly. As the wave of technology has changed the way we receive and transmit information. the Nations libraries and their staffs have met those changes head on! I would also like to take this time to emphasize the need for pay equity for library workers. even in this economy. Women librarian salaries continue to be lower than male library employees. The wage gap for the Nation remains with women earning 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. Library employees also continue to receive lower salaries in comparison with traditionally male occupations with comparable education requirements and job responsibilities. In recognizing the valuable contributions to our Nation and citizens across this country. from libraries. we must not forget the hardworking individuals who provide such services. Such services will enable us to educate our citizens and bring them into the era of technology. This week will also bring to light the need to adequately compensate the staffers which provide these services.
Date: 2010-04-13
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of National Libraries Week. The foundation of our learning and literacy is based in books and the written word. Our Nations libraries offer access to books. newspapers. magazines. the Internet and other informational materials. There is no other place where any individual who owns a library card can go in and access materials free of charge that promotes learning. discovery. opportunity. and self improvement. It is our libraries and librarians that provide this to millions of Americans each year. While our libraries hold the materials. it is our librarians that often hold the key. Librarians are the caring and accessible individuals who lead us on that adventure to knowledge. Lady Bird Johnson once said. "Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest." Libraries reach across barriers of age. ethnicity. and income to offer a world of learning. discovery and access to millions of Americans each year. For those who are trapped in the digital divide. libraries are on the front line in providing computer and Internet access free of charge and the resources on how to properly use that technology. I am especially proud of our many Dallas Public and School Libraries. In addition to standard library services they offer events to benefit the community. including everything from classes of song and reading for infants and their parents to tax preparation for senior citizens. They are truly committed to the people of Dallas. their wellbeing. and their access to learning. and I commend their service. I am a proud supporter of National Libraries Week and thank all of those individuals who serve inquisitive minds both young and old in our nations libraries.
Date: 2010-04-14
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong opposition to the Presidents budget proposal to cancel our human space flight program. Its under the Constellation Program. which was authorized both by Democrat and Republican Congresses respectively. that NASA is currently developing new launch vehicles capable of traveling to the moon. Mars. and other destinations. Not only does canceling the Constellation Program jeopardize Americas leadership role in human space exploration. but it will have a detrimental effect on our economy. projecting job losses of 30.000 nationally. Given our current economic downturn. we cant take the possibility of losing these jobs lightly. Our government has already invested literally years and billions of dollars in this program. We should build on these investments and not abandon them. especially considering the private sector will not be able to build a better. faster. cheaper rocket before the Constellation Program is slated to be finished because the technologies NASA proposed to use do not exist yet. nor has any destination been chosen. Constellation is our only hope to close the current 5year gap in U.S. access to space. and I encourage my colleagues to join me in opposition to the proposal to close Constellation.
Date: 2010-04-14
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 222Recognizing the leadership and historical contributions of Dr. Hector P. Garcia to the Hispanic community and his remarkable efforts to combat racial and ethnic discrimination in the United States. Dr. Garcia was born in Mexico. in 1914. but his family fled the Mexican Revolution and immigrated to Mercedes. Texas. His is an inspirational story of the possibilities the American Dream holds for immigrants. Through hard work and perseverance. he became a surgeon and served his country in World War II Dr. Garcias experiences after his return from the war led him to found the American GI Forum in Corpus Christi. Texas. Dr. Garcia began helping MexicanAmerican veterans file claims with the Veterans Administration. in response to the unacceptably slow treatment they were receiving. On March 26. 1948. he called a meeting to address the concerns of these veterans. This developed into the American GI Forum. which soon had chapters in 40 Texas cities and became the way by which MexicanAmerican veterans could express their frustration with the discrimination againstthem. And so it is with great pleasure that I recognize Dr. Hector P. Garcia. for his service to our country and to the MexicanAmerican community. and I support this resolution.
Date: 2010-04-14
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 1258. the Truth in Caller ID Act. an important bill. and one I have taken an interest in as we have worked on it over the last several Congresses in the Energy and Commerce Committee. Caller ID is a great benefit to millions of Americans by giving them more control over their telephones and who and when they talk on the phone. Like many technological advances. caller ID is a benefit. but bad actors can take advantage of it and turn the technology against the people it is supposed to help. We want certain people to be able to mask caller ID information for good purposes. like protecting abused women and children or anonymous whistleblowers. but we do not want people to be able to do it for deceptive purposes. Last Congress. I had some concern that the bill language did not go far enough to address an issue that arose in Texas with robocalls that were using misleading caller ID information. and I worked with Mr. ENGEL on an amendment to address that. Every election year. there are reports of abusive or deceptive political robocalls and recently reports claim some of these calls are using deceptive caller ID information. We dont want to limit anyones political speech. but why should we allow someone to call voters with fake caller ID info claiming they are from the local Democratic or Republican Party when they are not? We also do not want these automated calls to use innocent businesses caller ID info which causes people to blame innocent businesses instead of the real source for the calls. I applaud the bills sponsor for strengthening the language to prevent this kind of deception during the Committee process. I strongly support this bill. and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for it.
Date: 2010-04-14
Speaker: PATRICK J. MURPHY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Pennsylvania

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 3125. the Radio Spectrum Inventory Act. As a veteran who served in Baghdad in 2003. I know firsthand how important proper radio use was for ensuring the success of our missions and safety of our troops. In the military every part of the radio spectrum had a specific purpose and was allocated based on efficiency and suitably. Yet. in America the historical legacy of radio spectrum development has led to a patchwork system full of inefficiency. Additionally. there is a lack of information about current usage which has left America at a competitive disadvantage for developing new innovations in wireless service. Our economic success will depend on a new strategy for properly using our wireless spectrum so that we can innovate and develop new services to improve the connectivity of the American people and continue to fuel economic growth. Every day new and useful applications are added to wireless service and the need for more radio spectrum to meet those needs increases. The Radio Spectrum Inventory Act would allow lawmakers. consumers and industry to know what spectrum is being used and how. By identifying gaps in spectrum use and inefficient spectrum allocations. this bill will help us understand the best approach to meet the growing demand for additional spectrum. With the important information collected as a result of this bill. we can have an informed debate about how to most efficiently use and allocate our limited spectrum resources so that we can best meet the changing needs of the American public. Mr. Speaker. it is time that we take a serious look at the future spectrum needs of this country in order to properly prepare for the challenge. The right way to start is by gathering more information on our current situation. The Radio Spectrum Inventory Act will take this first step and put us on the right path to effectively develop a better strategy to meet our nations growing wireless needs.
Date: 2010-04-14
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I want to thank both of my colleagues from Oklahoma for this resolution. Mr. Speaker. I had the great honor of working with Chief Wilma Mankiller in my service on the Resources Committee and as Chair of that committee. She was a magnificent person. and we honor her as one of the great women in American history. She was all of the things that my colleagues have said. but when she came through your door. you knew you were about to do business. She was also very quick to humor and very often would use humor as well as she would use knowledge in disarming those who opposed her.
Date: 2010-04-14
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

I had a real opportunity to work integrally with her on the issues of sovereignty at a time when the Supreme Court was attacking at that moment some very essential parts of tribal sovereignty. I am sorry to hear of her passing. but I have great. great memories of working with her. of her leadership. of her advocacy. of her passion. and of her running so true to her values no matter what the situation. If she couldnt succeed today. shed be back tomorrow. Very often. she was. Thank you again so very much for this resolution. which recognizes the contributions of this outstanding woman to the history of our country.
Date: 2010-04-14
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1236) honoring the coal miners who perished in the Upper Big Branch MineSouth in Raleigh County. West Virginia. extending condolences to their families and recognizing the valiant efforts of emergency response workers at the mine disaster.
Date: 2010-04-14
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on House Resolution 1236 into the RECORD.