macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-11-19
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of S. 1545. The Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Stewardship and Oversight Act (PEPFAR). Eleven years ago. as the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. I initiated PEPFAR talks with President George Bush to discuss the necessity of an international response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. President Bush helped make a $15 billion commitment to worldwide AIDS relief. Not only has PEPFAR driven down the cost of commodities. it has seen real success targeting each countrys specific epidemic by coordinating resources within numerous AIDS responses. PEPFAR is a vital emergency response and it has been able to transition to longterm sustainability through country ownership. This bill not only strengthens all that PEPFAR has achieved. it extends critical oversight and authority in order to continue its success. While PEPFAR has been a major accomplishment. we must continue to support its efforts. The U.S. investment in the Global Fund is key to the success of PEPFAR. Our contributions have not only secured resources but also helped to increase coverage of health services and saved millions of lives. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of S. 1545 and continue to support this critical program.
Date: 2013-11-20
Speaker: DANNY K. DAVIS (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Illinois

Mr. Speaker. I rise to pay tribute to a woman who spent her life trying to help others. This is a tribute to Commissioner Deverra Beverly. a premiere public housing advocate. In and around Chicago and in public housing circles throughout the Nation. Ms. Deverra Beverly was known as a staunch defender and key player in making decisions about public housing issues and plans. not only in the ABLA community where she lived. but throughout Chicago and with impact on national policy. Ms. Deverra Beverly is what sociologists and urban planners and politicians call "grassroots." She was from the people. of the people and with the people. and a representative for the people. She was first of all a wife. a mother. a friend. a confidant. a leader who emerged from the people and was trusted by the people. Many people did not know it. but Ms. Beverly worked for the city of Chicagos Department of Human Services for more than 30 years. After her retirement in 1997. she devoted the rest of her life to providing leadership on Chicago public housing issues. She was president of the Local Advisory Council of ABLA. vice president of the Central Advisory Council. acting chair and treasurer of the Central Advisory Council. and was a close friend and supporter of Commissioner Artensia Randolph. who set the bar for CHA resident leadership. As a result of her local leadership. national public housing leaders and groups were attracted to her. and she became a founding chair of the National Public Housing Museum. She was appointed a Chicago Housing Authority commissioner by Mayor Daley and retained by Mayor Emanuel. Ms. Beverly was a skilled negotiator. and as a result of the many changes taking place in the ABLA community. she often sat at the table with Alderman Bob Fioretti. Danny Solis. Jason Ervin. university officials. people from the mayors office. philanthropists. developers. myself. and others. Deverra Beverly always expressed the position of the tenants. the people. and when you look at the ABLA community today. much of it is a reflection of the thinking and the work of Commissioner Deverra Beverly. Contrary to much popular opinion. working families do live in public and mixedincome housing. As a result of the process known as "urban renewal." Deverra Beverlys family moved into the ABLA homes in 1943. Her father was a postal employee. Her mother worked in the home. Deverra worked for the city of Chicago for more than 30 years. She did not have to live in ABLA. but she chose to live there because that is where her heart was. I guess maybe the poet Sam Walter Foss may have been thinking of her when he wrote his poem that said: Let me live in my house by the side of the road. where the race of men go by. They are good. they are bad. they are weak. they are strong. wise. and foolish so am I. Then why should I sit in the scorners seat. or hurl the cynics ban? Let me live in my house by the side of the road like Deverra Beverly and be a friend to man.
Date: 2013-11-20
Speaker: MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Speaker. November is Native American Heritage Month. and I rise today to honor the many contributions that Native Americans have made and continue to make to our Nations proud history and culture. Earlier today. we awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to 26 tribes whose members served as code talkers during World War II and World War I. including the Pueblo of Acoma. which is one of 22 Native tribes that call New Mexico home. At a later date. we will honor seven more code talker tribes. including another from New Mexico. the Pueblo of Laguna. The code talkers proudly served our country with great honor and distinction. They transmitted vital information during some of the most dangerous battles. including every assault the marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. Without the code talkers. the world wars would have lasted longer and America would have suffered many more casualties. Mr. Speaker. I am proud that the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna and the other code talker tribes are officially getting the thanks and recognition they deserve from a very grateful Nation.
Date: 2013-11-20
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague. I rise today in opposition to the rule and to H.R. 1900. As many of my colleagues are aware. natural gas is extremely important to the State of Texas. It seems like every day more and more natural gas deposits are being found. More importantly. with the commercialization of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. we are now able to develop these resources effectively and economically. but that is only half the story. Once we have found these resources. we need a way to move them to market in a safe and environmentally responsible way. In 1956. the United States decided it was in our best interest to build a network of highways. These highways. totaling approximately 47.000 miles. moved goods to market and dramatically expanded commerce. It may surprise some. but the interstate and intrastate pipeline system is approximately seven times larger than the highway system in the United States. The natural gas pipeline system in this country is critical and extensive infrastructure. The permitting and review process that is required to site and construct pipelines in this country has ensured an environmental safety record that is second to none. That doesnt mean there arent still going to be problems. when you consider the amount of miles we have. Unfortunately. I cant support this particular bill. I support an expedited review process and expansion of the pipeline system. Our intrastate natural gas pipeline system is not broken. I cannot support a bill that would issue a license or permit or approval after merely an expired time line. In testimony in our committee. the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. the FERC. has an average of about a year turnaround. I want to continue to support the construction of pipelines. and my ardent support is firmly backed by a safety record that is unmatched. I will continue to support an industry that has been an engine of our economic growth for the last decade. This bill is a solution in search of a problem. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the future on another approach that will benefit all stakeholders. our environment. and our economy. I encourage my colleagues to oppose the rule and the bill.
Date: 2013-11-20
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank my colleague. Although. I have to admit. sometimes I feel a little awkward listening to my colleagues statements. but I am glad that report showed Texas is one of the more tougher States that regulates hydraulic fracturing. Mr. Chairman. in the State of Texas. hydraulic fracturing has been a common practice for many years. The technique. combined with horizontal drilling. has made the idea of energy independence in the United States almost a reality. Across the United States. the development of natural gas continues to power our economic engine and is the foundation of a manufacturing renaissance. Thus far. State agencies have done a great job of regulating hydraulic practices on State and private lands. In Texas. the Railroad Commissioninappropriately namedhas set a variety of standards that aim to protect the environment and allow for the development of this vital natural resource. I am a firm believer in property rights and that whoever owns that land should have the right to regulate that land. I would not support the Federal Government regulating the development of natural gas or the practice of hydraulic fracturing on State and/or private lands. More importantly. I cannot support the idea of legislation that would prevent the Federal Government from regulating Federal lands. Unfortunately. that is what this bill is asking us to do. I understand and support the desire to develop our natural resources in the most economical way possible with as little bureaucratic red tape as possible. I know the significant advantage that the shale gas boom has provided our domestic petrochemical industry. various manufacturers. and a whole host of endusers. Lets make sure. though. that the Department of the Interior does their job and does not have to transfer oversight of Federal lands to State lands. We need the Department of the Interior to allow resource development under Federal law. I encourage my colleagues to oppose this bill. Hopefully. we will bring up a bill that will make the Department of the Interior actually let us produce on our Federal lands.
Date: 2013-11-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Add at the end the following:
Date: 2013-11-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chair. in just a second. I will yield to the distinguished chairman. Just in a sentence. the Jackson Lee amendment is simple and will provide for an annual review of any and all hydraulic fracturing activity. as well as a report to be submitted to Congress. I now yield to the gentleman from Washington. Chairman HASTINGS. for the purpose of entertaining a question.
Date: 2013-11-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Reclaiming my time. I thank the chairman for working with me on this matter. I appreciate his willingness to work with me. I want to achieve what the ultimate intent was. and that is. to have this amendment pertain to Federal lands. My response is that I do not object to a modification of the amendment to make clear that the review and report required of the Secretary should be limited to State permitting of hydraulic fracturing on Federal lands. which will. in fact. provide this Congress with the necessary information on these processes. I yield to the chairman.
Date: 2013-11-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the chairman. Mr. Chair. I just wanted to indicate that we have the opportunity to do a number of things: create jobs. energy independence. preserve and create a strong economy. and protect our environment. I am interested in seeing the opportunity for lowincome families to be able to be helped in the cold of the winter and the heat of the summer. to be able to find relief from the energy costs that we have talked about so often. and I would hope that as we move forward with the legislation that we will be able to work together. I believe that the 2.1 million jobs that will be created. the increase of consumers household dollars. and the amount of money that will be going into the government Treasury really should bring us together. My amendment. as clarified by the chairman in our discussion in the colloquy. is to give Congress that oversight pertaining to those Federal lands. I thank the chairman for his clarification. I am looking forward to working with him and maintaining the language in the bill. however. with the understanding that we will get that review for Federal lands and that that will come from the Secretary of the Interior to the United States Congress. With that. Mr. Chairman. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Texas .
Date: 2013-11-20
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

I thank the gentleman for yielding and thank him for organizing this tribute to Barry and. I think. to his family. because we know the time he takes away from them on our behalf for his service here. I am one of the few people who can say that I was here before you were. Barry. but I thought everybody here was from Boston or something like that when I first got here from the west coast. I want to join my colleagues here. I think we all have very strong and deep feelings about the service you have rendered to us. Sometimes when we were pleasant. and sometimes when we werent so pleasant. sometimes when we were harried. and sometimes when we were relaxed. you always seemed to be very stable in terms of the answers that you could provide us. even when you couldnt possibly know the answer to the question. "When are we getting out?" You would just kind of look and say. Well. and you would give your best guesstimate because you didnt have a clue what was going to take place on the floor. given the turmoil that happens from time to time. But it was more than just about getting out. I think it was also an assessment. your sense of what was really taking place on the floor. Yes. there were 50 amendments filed. but you had a handicap system. You figured 30 were going to go by the wayside by noon. Another five would drop out later. You heard somebody else might have been leaving. So now we are down to a handful of manageable amendments. So dont give up your early reservation. That kind of handicapping was worth a lot when you come from the west coast and you have got to do it every week. So thank you for that. Your service here overall to us. the dignity with which you have treated the Members of Congressas I say. sometimes we can be rather demanding because we are harried. It has just been a wonderful. wonderful relationship to have you on our side in our cloakroom. taking care of us and answering questions from our families when they call and want to know what might they expect in terms of our service and our time here. I think Joe Moakley picked a good guy. He did right by you. and you did right by us. And I just want to thank you. I want to join Mr. WELCH also. I was a big fan of the experience that the pages were able to garner here. and all of us have met people who were pages who now live in our districts and remember that experience. or it was key to their actions. and it was unfortunate that we werent able to hold onto that program. But your management. your care. and your kind remarks to them sometimes when they were being youthful and exuberant about something that may be taking place. to remind them what was going on in the House. I think. was one of the lessons of their lives that they will never forget. So thank you very much for that management and oversight of those young people who have gone on in so many instances to make major. major contributions in our communities and in our country. Thank you so much for your service.
Date: 2013-11-21
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to H.R. 1900. which would place new. arbitrary deadlines on the pipeline permitting process at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and related agencies. H.R. 1900 attempts to solve a problem that simply doesnt exist. The Government Accountability Office has given FERCs permitting process good marks. saying that it is predictable and consistent for applicants. Under this bill. FERC would have a year to consider any project. no matter how many miles it may cover or how complex it may be. Other agencies. like the Army Corps of Engineers. the Bureau of Land Management. and the Fish and Wildlife Service. would have to issue decisions on licenses or permits related to the project within 90 days of FERCs issuance of its final environmental document. even if the project applicant does not actually apply for a permit or submit the required information within that time frame. If the agency failed to meet this deadline. the permit or license would be "deemed approved" and FERC would be permitted to overrule any conditions the agency requests. By needlessly shortcircuiting the review process. this bill jeopardizes the environment and public health. While we all support timely review. we should provide adequate time for analysis of complex projects. A onesizefitsall process with arbitrary deadlines prevents federal agencies from doing their job to protect taxpayers and communities. I urge a no vote.
Date: 2013-11-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of the bill. add the following new section:
Date: 2013-11-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I yield myself 2 minutes. I offer an amendment that responds. I believe. to the importance of the issue and also to the purpose of the underlying bill. and it deals with safety. My amendment delays the date upon which the bill can be implemented until such time that the Federal Government is no longer operating under a budget dictated by the sequester. which some would call a "meatax." that is dipping into and diving into the works of the Federal Government. such as agencies like FERC. The likely impact of this bill. if passed. is to put FERC in a position of having to work faster. to issue decisions with fewer experienced employees. and to have a reduction in resources. thereby impacting safety and security. if I might say. because FERC. like virtually every other Federal agency. is operating under the onerous and draconian provisions of the disastrous sequestration which has caused so much misery and disruption across the Nation and to our economy. I might add. Mr. Chairman. the important aspect of this is that the ultimate results will be. FERC. if you dont do your work. if you are not thoughtful. if you are not deliberative. we deem the approval. There is no evidence that FERC is backlogged. This has nothing to do with the Keystone pipeline. the procedures of which are in another agency altogether. So you would ask: What problem is this bill solving? None. Absolutely none. With a budget of $306 millionbecause of sequestrationand with a $15 million reduction in spending. 5 percent of FERCs budget is impacted. This is a bill seeking a solution to a problem that does not exist. and it is dangerous to have legislation that deems approval when the agency which has jurisdiction has not completed its investigation. With that. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2013-11-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. how much time do I have remaining? The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Texas has 3 minutes remaining.
Date: 2013-11-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII. further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Texas will be postponed.
Date: 2013-11-21
Speaker: BEN RAY LUJAN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Speaker. November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. which is when we bring awareness to a disease that takes the lives of too many men and women. Pancreatic cancer is the 10th most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and the ninth most in women. but it is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths. Sadly. it is estimated this year that 73 percent of patients with this disease will die within the first year of diagnosis. While these statistics are daunting. I believe that Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month is a time for hope. It is a time when we stand up and call attention to this disease and when we call for more research to find better methods of early detection. It is a time to share the stories of those we have lost in the hope that they will help spur action and move us closer to more effective treatments. Mr. Speaker. pancreatic cancer patients and their families are among the countless Americans who are demanding that we fix sequestration. which has reduced funding for the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute and which has held back progress toward lifesaving medical research. It is critical that we all work together to fight this terrible disease.
Date: 2013-11-21
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. there are remaining issues of justice that this House must address. First. let me offer my deepest sympathy to the people of the Philippines who. as you look at the landscape. 10 million people have been affected. 4.011 deaths. and 4.4 million people displaced. We must come together as a Nation and come together as a Congress and provide the resources. Let me salute the United States military and our marines who landed first who are a lifeline to those people. Let me say to them that we are with you. Then I want to say that the Senate has addressed the justice issue ENDA for the LGBT community. How can we stand here on the precipice of honoring great leaders and not recognize that there are people who need human dignity? Pass ENDA now. And let me pay tribute to the 50th year of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and salute himyes. salute himas one of the greatest leaders and visionariesCamelotwho led this country and inspired this country to greatness and service. We owe a debt of gratitude and appreciation to the legacy of his family and to the service they have given. To President John F. Kennedy. may he rest in peace and thank him for inspiring millions of people.
Date: 2013-12-02
Speaker: DONNA EDWARDS (democrat)
Chamber: H

for cosponsoring this bill with me. This is a good. bipartisan bill. and I urge Members to support it. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2013-12-02
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I have no further requests for time. I urge support of the bill. and I yield back the balance of my time.
Date: 2013-12-02
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. yesterday was World AIDS Day. And before I left my home district this morning. I gathered with longtime friends and fighters against the surge and the scourge of HIV/AIDS. Although we have come a long way and made a great difference. 50.000 people are affected each year by HIV/ AIDS. This is the 32nd year of the establishment or the announcement of the epidemic of HIV/AIDS. and today some 34 millionplus around the world live with HIV/AIDS. Every 91/2 minutes. someone in this country is infected with AIDS. So I stand here in salute of the Thomas Street Health Center and the AIDS Foundation. one. because of the health care that the Thomas Street Health Center gives and to be able to thank them for the litany and devotional that they provided for us. and to the AIDS Foundation. of course. to thank them for letting people live with AIDS and to have the comfort of those who will stand with them. I am also wearing another button today. and that is to salute those and to embrace those who are for the fasting families. We must have comprehensive immigration reform. and I stand with them to save lives. as well.