macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-12-18
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. today. due to unforeseen circumstances. I missed the following votes: Senate Amendment to H.R. 3783Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act of 2012had I been present. I would have voted "yea" on this bill. H.R. 6621To correct and improve certain provisions of the LeahySmith America Invents Act and title 35. United States Codehad I been present. I would have voted "yea" on this bill. S. 3642Theft of Trade Secrets Clarification Act of 2012had I been present. I would have voted "yea" on this bill.
Date: 2012-12-18
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. our hearts were broken over the senseless shooting deaths of 20 first grade children and their teachers in Newtown. Connecticut. and we wish that we could undue this unimaginable tragedy. but we know we cant do that. Instead. the House held a moment of silence. It is what the House does to show empathy. and it is a kind and sincere gesture. but it is not enough. Last week. the House held a moment of silence for two adults killed by a gunman in a Portland. Oregon. shopping mall. Earlier. the House held a moment of silence after the horrific mass killings in an Aurora. Colorado. movie theater. and it held a moment of silence after our colleague Gabby Giffords and her staff and constituents were shot in Arizona. A moment of silence felt like an honorable thing to do. but. clearly. a moment of silence is not enough. Americans dont need another moment of silence from the United States Congress. They need us to pass legislation immediately to ban automatic weapons. semiautomatic weapons. highcapacity ammunition clips. and to expand access to quality mental health services. Congress needs to act now. A moment of silence is not enough. It can not substitute for action.
Date: 2012-12-19
Speaker: DAVID SCOTT (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

I rise to join some of my fellow colleagues in recognizing and honoring a distinguished gentleman serving in the Congress of the United States. who is the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. and that is Representative Reverend EMANUEL CLEAVER. God has a way of having the right person serve at the right time and in the right place. and we have such a person in our chairman. Chairman CLEAVER. Chairman CLEAVER took office at a time of great turmoil and tumultuousness. This country was experiencing and we were at the height of perhaps the most devastating financial crisis since the Great Depression. Chairman CLEAVER turned that situation into a tremendous positive by bringing his insightfulness and by helping to share with the entire Nation that while we did have great economic calamity. for every sector in our economy nowhere was that damage as greatly felt as in the African American community. We were blessed to have a chairman who could articulate it with the sensitivity and with the intelligence and with the intellect to be able to express those very serious concerns that were impacting the African American community in a way and in a manner that it enveloped the entirety of the entire population of our country. Chairman CLEAVER became chairman at the time of the height of the tumultuous health care debate. where there was great passions that were brought to bear and expressions of demonstration where hundreds of thousands of people gathered here in Washington to express their concerns. But Chairman CLEAVER provided a calmness. an impact that helped us to navigate those troubled waters very. very successfully. When it came time to look at the disparities of this economic impact and joblessness. he initiated job fairs in every congressional district all across this country that helped people be able to get jobs. He addressed the health disparitiesparticularly as they impacted the African American communityin a way and in a manner that everyone was able to accept the reality. So. we thank you. Congressman CLEAVER. for the outstanding job that you have done. and we want to thank God for sending the right person to us at the right time. Thank you. Chairman CLEAVER. It is my great honor to serve with you. Thank you for your outstanding service.
Date: 2012-12-19
Speaker: EMANUEL CLEAVER (democrat)
Chamber: H

who represents with distinction Missouris Fifth District. I want to offer a special word of appreciation for his many years of service. not merely for his constituents. but for his steady commitment to employ the power of his office to ensure our Nation is set on a course where we all succeed. As chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Mr. CLEAVER used this position of leadership to help elevate and embolden us to address some of the great social and economic challenges of our day. not just for African Americans. but for all Americans. I am reminded of the evening in North Carolina at the Democratic Convention when he gave that impassioned and fiery speech that brought everyone to our feet. He reminded us that in America our strength is rooted in our Nations most profound giftits diversity. He reminded us that no matter how difficult times may get or may be that we must "hope on." and that it is the power of our hope that drives us to not give up when we have failed. but to try again until we get it right. As I complete my first term in Congress. let me thank the chairman for his counsel. his guidance. and his friendship. Hes provided advice and wisdom that as a newcomer to Washington has been invaluable. Hes stepping down as the head of the Congressional Black Caucus. but we will all continue to enjoy hearing his reflections at caucus meetings and getting the notes on promoting civility. Its my personal hope that one day he will collect all of these notes and reflections and publish them. But I did think that I would end with words from that famous North Carolina speech: Hope inspires me to believe that any day now. we will catch up to the ideals put forth by our Nations Founding Fathers. It is our hope and faith that moves us. It is our hope that tells us our latter days will be better than our former. It is our hope that instructs us to march on. I look forward to working with you in the years through the struggles and successes that are in front of us. Thank you. Mr. CLEAVER. for your service. your friendship and for your leadership.
Date: 2012-12-19
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor one of Congresss finest members. Chairman EMANUEL CLEAVER. for his exemplary leadership and service to the Congressional Black Caucus. While Chairman CLEAVER has worked on behalf of the people of Missouris fifth district for the last eight years. and in service to the people of Kansas City as a councilman and mayor for many more than that. I want his constituents to know the depth. character. and accomplishments of the public servant they are so fortunate to have representing them and Americans across this country. As Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Congressman CLEAVER has guided its more than 40 members on their mission to extend the promise of the American dream to every community and corner of this Nation. Through his tireless advocacy on issues critical to the African American community and his stewardship of the Caucuss jobs fair initiative. Chairman CLEAVER worked to bring the business community together with the many talented and skilled workers that were disproportionately impacted during this recent economic recession. He has worked to ensure that every child has an opportunity to receive a quality education. that every man and woman can exercise their constitutional right to vote. and that the doors of economic and social opportunity are open to every American who seeks to step through them. And. like so many of my fellow Members. I have the privilege of knowing Chairman CLEAVER as a dear friend and mentor. He is always ready with a kind or encouraging word. no matter the situation or where he stands on the issues. I salute the Chairman for his distinguished leadership and achievements with the Congressional Black Caucus and congratulate him on this milestone in his career. As colleagues. we are grateful that we will continue to benefit from his service and friendship for years to come.
Date: 2012-12-19
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor our colleague. the Honorable EMANUEL CLEAVER Ill. Congressman CLEAVER has served with distinction during the 112th Congress as the 20th chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). During his tenure as CBC chair. Chairman CLEAVER focused on bringing critical issues before the United States that are of importance to Black America such as voter protection. job creation. inequity in unemployment. the debtceiling and many other pressing issues facing our country. As a cochair of the CBC Technology and Infrastructure taskforce I have worked closely with Chairman CLEAVER to advocate for the needs of community colleges. increased workforce training. initiatives to broaden participation in STEM and inadequate. outdated. and underfunded transportation systems. Chairman CLEAVER deserves to be commended for highlighting AfricanAmerican inequity in unemployment and spearheading the Congressional Black Caucus Jobs tour this past summer. The jobs tour was a nationwide initiative that helped pair thousands of unemployed African Americans with employers and brought the issue to the forefront of the national discussion. As past chair of the CBC I know that the work of the Caucus truly serves as a voice for the voiceless and its 43 Members serve as the conscience of the United States Congress. It has been an honor to be a friend and colleague of Chairman CLEAVER during our years in Congress. He continues to inspire and encourage us all through his milestone of service to our Nation throughout his tenure as a United States Congressman. Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Chairman CLEAVER for his many accomplishments during his tenure as Chairman of the CBC.
Date: 2012-12-19
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. you will hear many voices being raised in the backdrop of an unspeakable tragedy from which. even as Members think of it. they cry. Just a few minutes ago. there was a press conference in which there was probably not a dry eye in that room as Members gave tribute to those lives lost and to those being buried today. and as they spoke of their own anguish. their lost children. and of the loss of their fellow staff members in a gun incident. So I rise today to say that we must act and can act and can pass legislation even this week. I join with Senator FEINSTEINs effort and Congressman PERLMUTTERS and Congresswoman MCCARTHYS and that of many others with legislation. I join with the legislation of H.R. 277. that talks about protecting our children. which was introduced by myself. I join with the statement by the Progressive Caucus that speaks about this ammunition. these guns. and mental health. I also join with Dicks Sporting Goods store. I will just personally say to those who are listening: maybe youll want to turn in your guns. Oh. no. I am not going to take your guns. but look at what Dicks Sporting Goods did in the moment they wanted to be part of the solution and a part of America. Let us mourn with action. God bless those who have lost their lives.
Date: 2012-12-19
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Madam Speaker. today I rise to honor and commemorate the life of Mexican American singer Jenni Rivera. Jenni used her powerful voice. soulful singing style. and honest lyrics to create a message that spoke to the resiliency of women. That powerful voice was silenced forever when she and six others were killed in a plane crash on November 9. Born and raised in Long Beach. California. to immigrant parents from Mexico. Jenni Rivera started her career selling her CDs at flea markets. When she died at the age of 43. Jenni was a topselling artist. an actress. television producer. and entrepreneur. Tragically. she was on the cusp of multicultural stardom when she died. She had just finished filming her first film and was in talks with ABC to star in her own sitcom. Her talent and authenticity shined brightly in a music genre dominated by men. Jennis lyrics offered a new and refreshing womans perspective. Madam Speaker. please join me in honoring the memory of Jenni Rivera and the message of empowerment she gave to millions of women that she spoke for.
Date: 2012-12-19
Speaker: ZOE LOFGREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Madam Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of House Resolution 668. a congressional reference bill concerning the trustrelated claims of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma. Now. congressional reference bills are rare in Congress. The House hasnt considered such a bill since 2002 in the 107th Congress. but the fact that this procedure is a rare one doesnt mean that it isnt a useful one. Unlike most other legislation. reference bills require passage in only one Chamber to take effect. If passed by either the House or Senate. the bill would simply refer a claim against the U.S. Government to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims for consideration. The court. however. as the chairman has indicated. would not be authorized to render a final ruling on the claim. Rather. it would only be authorized to consider evidence and to submit a report to Congress with its findings and recommendations. Congress could then decide. based on the courts report. whether or not to enact a private claims bill or appropriate funds to the claimant in the interest of justice. In this case. H. Res. 668 would refer the bill. H.R. 5862. a bill relating to members of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma. to the Court of Federal Claims. And as amended. the bill would authorize the court to determine whether the tribe and its members have trustrelated legal or equitable claims against the U.S.. other than legal claims that are currently pending before the court. We have consulted with the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior on this matter. and both agencies agree that the Quapaw Tribe has legitimate claims against the United States concerning certain tribal lands that were held in trust by the Federal Government. The only real dispute is the value of the claim. This makes this congressional reference bill an appropriate measure to help bring this matter to a final resolution. By referring the case to the Federal claims court. they can consider all the evidence. submit a report on what the court believes to be the appropriate value of the tribal claim. and then. based on that courts findings and conclusions. Congress can play its appropriate role to consider whether or not it is in the interest of justice to pass a private claims bill or otherwise appropriate funds to satisfy the claim. This procedure will help the Congress do the right thing. and thats why were sent here. to do the right thing. So I ask my colleagues to support this important legislation. I commend Congressman COLE for his diligent pursuit of this matter of justice. I reserve the balance of my time.
Date: 2012-12-19
Speaker: ZOE LOFGREN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Madam Speaker. I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.
Date: 2012-12-19
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of the Pandemic and AllHazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act. which will reauthorize certain provisions of the Project Bioshield Act of 2004 and Pandemic and AllHazards Preparedness Act of 2006. This legislation was passed by Congress to help the U.S. develop countermeasures against chemical. biological. radiological. and nuclear terrorism agents and to provide a mechanism for Federal acquisition of these newly developed countermeasures. Our Nation remains vulnerable to these threats because many of these vaccines and medicines that are needed to protect our citizens do not exist. Developing and stockpiling these medical countermeasures require time. resources. and researchall of which will be provided under the legislation before us today. Im pleased that the language I supported during the committee process was included. aimed at increasing emphasis on regionalized trauma care systems. This bill is also very important to me because the University of Texas Medical Branchs Galveston National Laboratory is in my backyard. The Galveston National Lab is the only BSL4 lab located on a university campus. At the lab. scientists conduct research to develop therapies. vaccines. and diagnostic tests for naturallyoccurring emerging diseases such as SARS and avian influenza. as well as for microbes that might be employed by terrorists. This is exactly the type of research we hope to encourage under the Pandemic and AllHazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act. As an original cosponsor of the bill with Mr. ROGERS. Im very pleased how quickly we moved this rare bipartisan piece of legislation. I want to thank
Date: 2012-12-19
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. today. due to unforeseen circumstances. I missed the following votes: H.R. 6672To reauthorize certain programs under the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food. Drug. and Cosmetic Act with respect to public health security and allhazards preparedness and response. and for other purposeshad I been present. I would have voted "yea." H.R. 1845Medicare IVIG Access Act. as amendedhad I been present. I would have voted "yea." H. Res. 668To refer H.R. 5862. a bill making congressional reference to the United States Court of Federal Claims pursuant to sections 1492 and 2509 of title 28. United States Code. the Indian trustrelated claims of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma (OGahPah) as well as its individual membershad I been present. I would have voted "yea."
Date: 2012-12-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Senator Inouye lies in state this morning. But as a young lieutenant platoon leader on a battlefield in Italy. even after being shot in the stomach by German machinegun fire. he refused medical treatment and still managed to find the courage to destroy two machinegun posts. Nearly losing consciousness from blood loss. he heroically charged a third machinegun nest before having his right arm severed by a German grenade. Somehow. even after those grave injuries. Daniel Inouye still found a way to toss a grenade that destroyed the third bunker. What an American. What a man who loved this country and stood for the values of diversity. He loved the independence of the Congress. and he fought for it in the strength of our democracy and the values of America. His words were this: I represented the people of Hawaii and this Nation honestly and to the best of my ability. I think I did okay. To the Senator and your family. you did more than okay. To the Asian American community in Houston. Texas. and all of Texas. I want you to note this hero spoke volumes for what America is all about. that no matter where weve come from. we can stand equally under the sun. He thought of that and his beloved Hawaii as his final words. not only in representing Hawaii-" aloha"-but to America. Senator. we love you. and goodbye. What a great champion. a great warrior for peace. and one who represented all of us so well.
Date: 2012-12-20
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. down here in the well sometimes when you hear what we all say to each other you might think that we are not a very friendly bunch towards each other. but I want to let people know today that we actually have a lot of friendships here on this floor. Im going to take the time this week before we break for Christmas to say goodbye to some of my friends who are leaving from Congressespecially from the Democratic side. but I have a particularly good friend on the other side. Congressman ELTON GALLEGLY. He has had a congressional career here for 25 years. Hes been a leader and a fierce defender of animal rights. With the successful passage of legislation that he recently sponsored. the creation and the sale of videos depicting the torture of animals is forever illegal. Animal lovers across the country are thankful for his leadership on that. Though ELTON and I a lot of times disagree on a lot of things politically. weve become very close friends over the years. I have sought his guidance on many issues here. on foreign affairs. on transportation. and even on some outside things. outside of this. maybe even in my own personal life. So I want to thank him for being a good friend. I wish him a lot of luck in his next chapter of his life. and I just want to tell him that I will miss him.
Date: 2012-12-20
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I wonder if anybody is listening. The message from the American people is loud and clear: extend the middle class tax cuts now. Republican leadership is holding hostage tax cuts for 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small businesses to give more tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans. Democratic Members of Congress have commonsense solutions. and we cant wait around any longer as real proposals languish while the House GOP gets its act together. I. along with 181 of my colleagues. have signed the discharge petition to automatically bring to the House floor the Senatepassed middle class tax cuts which the President has said he will sign immediately. This could be an opportunity for us to work together. resolve some of our differences. and offer the American people the kind of Congress they want: working together. TAXES
Date: 2012-12-20
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. today I come to the floor to honor Leonila Vega. a ferocious advocate for seniors and people with disabilities. In her role as the executive director of the Direct Care Alliance. I worked closely with her to improve the conditions of work for those who provide inhome care and. with it. the quality of care that they provide for others. Although she lost her battle with cancer on November 19. the battle she waged for quality care and dignity for workers continues. I cannot adequately describe all of her accomplishments in one short minute. so Im submitting a longer statement for the RECORD. But I do hope that in honoring her today and talking about her passion. I hope that her passion for social justice is an inspiration to all of us.