hazylavender/hi huggingface dataset:
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1927-H1929] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. CLOUD: I thank the chairman for his support in getting Mark Swidan back to his home and to his family. I also thank the ranking member for her support, as well. Mark Swidan is a native Texan from Luling who is currently being detained in China on fabricated drug charges and faces an impending death sentence.  Mark was arrested on November 13, 2012, while on a trip to China to procure furnishings for his home and business. Chinese authorities burst into his hotel room while he was on the phone with his family and, without showing any warrant, arrested him and confiscated his photography equipment, wallet, tablet, passport, and identity card. They originally told him he was being held as a witness, but that rapidly changed. Mark was accused of being involved in the manufacturing and trafficking of drugs, leading to Chinese officials trying to coerce him into signing a false confession. Mark maintained his innocence and his integrity and has rejected their attempts to this day. Nonetheless, Mark has been imprisoned in China for over 10 years, despite the fact that no drugs were ever found on Swidan or in his hotel room, and the prosecution did not produce any evidence tying him to the drugs. The 11 other individuals indicted on the same charges could not identify Mark, and records in Mark's passport show that he was not even in China during the time of the alleged offense. As a result, Mark hasn't slept in the dark for over 10 years and is exposed to extreme heat in the summer and freezing cold in the winter. His hands have been broken a number of times. Mark faces abuse by his captors and has been denied an independent medical examination despite his deteriorating health in the detainment facility. A few weeks ago, China upheld Mark Swidan's death sentence. It is my hope that this resolution will signal to China that this death sentence should not be enforced, and that Mark should be sent home. Additionally, this resolution calls on the administration to use all the tools at their disposal to secure Mark Swidan's release. The People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party have a history of capturing innocent people and using them as political pawns. This needs to stop. Unfortunately for them, though, Mark has defiantly refused to be coerced as he waits on us to secure his release. Mr. Speaker, I call on all my colleagues in Congress to support this resolution and for our State Department to redouble their efforts and use every means available to bring Mark Swidan home.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1927-H1929] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Ms. MANNING: I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, the American people send us to Washington to represent them, to advance the national interest, and most importantly, to keep them safe. When the life and dignity of any American is challenged or undermined, it is our duty as lawmakers to speak out and take action. That is why it is vital that this body condemn the People's Republic of China for its unjust and arbitrary detention and inhumane treatment of American citizen Mark Swidan. That is why it is vital that this body demand that Mr. Swidan be swiftly released and returned to the United States. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me and support this important resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, if we are seen as a weak nation, we will be treated as such. Appeasement only invites aggression. The U.S. must not tolerate these brazen acts of hostage diplomacy. I wish that Mark Swidan could somehow hear us in this Chamber today to know that he is not forgotten. However, I know that his tireless advocate, his mother, Katherine, is listening; and I know that his CCP captors and abusers are listening, too. Our unified bipartisan message to them is simple: Free Mark Swidan now. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1925-H1927] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. PALLONE: I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1339, the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act. The innovations we are seeing in the commercial satellite industry have the potential to transform so many aspects of daily life, especially for those in more rural and remote areas. For years, Americans have relied on satellites for a variety of services, including the Global Positioning System, radio, and television. However, now satellites are helping deliver faster broadband speeds, providing critical communications services and enabling scientists and nonprofits to monitor challenges like the climate crisis and deforestation. This satellite evolution is also touching American farms by facilitating advancements in precision agriculture. H.R. 1339 promotes the innovation of satellite technology for precision agriculture, which uses satellite images to help farmers yield better crops and maximize their yield profitability. The legislation directs the Federal Communications Commission to review its satellite service rules to assess whether there are any rule changes that could better enable satellites to deliver precision agriculture solutions. If the FCC finds that such rule changes exist, then this legislation requires the FCC to develop recommendations for implementing them. It also instructs the FCC to report its findings to Congress, including any recommendations. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Kelly and Latta for their bipartisan work on this bill, which unanimously passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee last month. With this legislation, we ensure that the FCC and its satellite service rules are enabling technological advances in the important area of precision agriculture as much as possible.  Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, this bill is bipartisan and passed out of our committee unanimously last month. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1924-H1925] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. LATTA: I yield myself such time as I may consume, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1343, the ITS Codification Act, led by the gentleman from Georgia's First District and the gentlewoman from Colorado's Seventh District. The effective and efficient management of our airwaves plays an important role in fueling our economy, which increasingly relies on communication between digital technologies. As demand for wireless technology continues to grow, we must continue to focus on identifying potential opportunities to make more spectrum available for commercial use, including reallocating and sharing spectrum from Federal users. Complex, technical engineering testing and analysis underpins these important decisions on how best to maximize our airwaves for commercial use while preserving our Federal missions.  {time}  1615  Indeed, having a sound technical basis supporting these decisions will help restore trust in the process among Federal agencies. The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, or ITS, within NTIA plays an essential role in conducting the tests that guide these spectrum reallocation or sharing decisions. ITS will also help ensure that NTIA, as the Federal spectrum manager, can continue to find opportunities to unleash commercial wireless innovation while also ensuring military readiness, securing our southern border, and advancing scientific discovery and other successful Federal missions. The work ITS performs has led to innovative advancements in the way we manage our airwaves. These airwaves power faster mobile connectivity for Americans, and making more spectrum available in the future is critical to beating China and ensuring our continued economic and national security. The ITS Codification Act will strengthen the statutory authority for ITS and ensure the work they do to advance United States technological leadership remains a key part of our approach. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1924-H1925] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. PALLONE: I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1343, the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, or ITS, Codification Act. The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, or ITS, is the premier engineering laboratory of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Among its many responsibilities, ITS manages various technology development programs for NTIA and the Department of Commerce and oversees cutting-edge studies concerning the use of our country's airwaves. ITS has played a significant role in furthering telecommunication advancements for our country's benefit. H.R. 1343 recognizes the numerous contributions of ITS by providing it with additional statutory authority. Under this legislation, ITS will serve as the primary laboratory for the executive branch of the Federal Government. It will be charged with studying the use of innovative sharing technologies for our airwaves and improving the interference tolerance of Federal systems operating with, or using, Federal spectrum. The legislation also will allow the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, acting through the head of the ITS, to enter into agreements needed to carry out the functions of the laboratory. This bill also requires the Assistant Secretary to establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies. These technologies will then be used to locate people trapped in areas where mobile connectivity may not be available due to natural disasters and other devastating events. I commend Representatives Pettersen and Carter for their bipartisan work on this bill. It will ensure that one of our Nation's key telecommunications facilities has the necessary tools and resources to not only continue its work but also expand its activities. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill, which unanimously passed the Energy and Commerce Committee last month, and I reserve the balance of my time.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1924-H1925] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. LATTA: I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), who is the bill's sponsor and the vice chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1924-H1925] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. CARTER : I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1343, the ITS Codification Act. This legislation would codify the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, which plays a critical role in making spectrum available for commercial use. As we examine how Federal and commercial spectrum is allocated, it is our job as Members to ensure the agencies tasked with managing spectrum have the technical resources they need to be successful in their missions. ITS is an essential part of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and we must strengthen its statutory authority to ensure it continues informing important spectrum policy decisions. This testing center will also play an important role in America's ability to stay ahead of international competitors like China on spectrum policy. I am confident ITS will continue to contribute to innovative advancements that are crucial for our global competitiveness. This bill also directs ITS to establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies for use in locating trapped individuals in confined spaces. This is an important initiative that has the potential to protect and save American lives. Last Congress, this bill went through regular order and enjoyed unanimous support on the House floor. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1924-H1925] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. PALLONE: again, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill that, as I mentioned, unanimously passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee last month. It is important. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1922-H1924] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. LATTA: I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1353, the ALERT Parity Act, led by the gentleman from Ohio's Sixth District and the gentlewoman of Washington's Eighth District. When hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters strike, connectivity and access to emergency communications is often one of the many critical services that are temporarily knocked out. Access to 911 services and important updates from local authorities sent by text message may be unavailable in dire moments. While network operators do great work in preparing for, responding to, and improving future preparations for these natural disasters, they are unavoidable. Even the best response may leave Americans trapped without access to emergency services in the aftermath of the event. However, recent innovations in satellite communications technologies have opened new opportunities to leverage our communications systems to provide emergency communications in times of natural disaster from satellites. Many of these services are designed to be available on Americans' phones seamlessly with no action needed by Americans. Recent innovative partnership between terrestrial network operators and satellite operators have highlighted the type of possibilities Americans may someday take for granted. Yet, these innovations and partnerships have also demonstrated that novel use of our airwaves, while potentially lifesaving, also need regulatory certainty so that they are reliably available and do not result in harmful interference. The ALERT Parity Act would establish a process for the FCC to ensure that satellite technology can be used to ensure access to wireless emergency alerts and 911 service remain uninterrupted during times of an emergency in areas that do not have connectivity. This legislation will be key to ensuring that emergency connectivity services are not authorized using temporary authorities and adequately protect all of the wireless services Americans rely on. This legislation will also pave the way for U.S. leadership as other countries look to take advantage of the innovation pioneered here in the United States. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1353, and I reserve the balance of my time.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1922-H1924] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. JOHNSON : I thank my colleague, Mr. Latta, for recognizing me. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my legislation, H.R. 1353, the ALERT Parity Act. This bipartisan legislation would require the Federal Communications Commission to issue rules within 18 months of enactment to establish an application process for any entities seeking to provide wireless emergency alerts for 911 services in unserved areas across America. It also requires the FCC to establish service rules whereby providers of emergency connectivity service may access spectrum held by a licensee, so long as it does not cause interference and they have express written consent from the licensee. Additionally, the bill requires the FCC to provide an annual report to Congress detailing instances where emergency connectivity service was provided by this process, and also each instance when an entity authorized to use spectrum declined to provide the consent needed by providers of emergency connectivity service to use their spectrum. This enables Congress to provide oversight of these services and ensure that this legislation is implemented as intended. First and foremost, enabling 911 calls and texts and emergency alerts in remote and unserved areas is not onlycommon sense, it is a lifesaving measure. Every American deserves access to emergency assistance, regardless of where they live, period. This bill is very narrow in scope. The rules required by the bill would only enable emergency connectivity service providers to connect to individuals' phones where there is no cellular service, either due to an outage or because there is not a mobile carrier providing service in that area. To many of us, it is frustrating if we lose cell service temporarily. It is unfathomable for many to understand that in 2023 there remains remote areas in America that still lack reliable cellular service. Now that there is technology that will enable distressed Ohioans in rural Appalachia, and all such rural areas across the United States who lack mobile cell service to reach emergency assistance, I believe we have a responsibility to make it happen and to ensure American innovation can serve our communities that are otherwise left out. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Kim Schrier for co-leading this legislation and her work on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I also urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1353 to ensure everyone has access to critical lifesaving emergency services regardless of where they live or travel. Mr. Speaker, I also thank Mr. Pallone, the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee for his support as well.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1922-H1924] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. PALLONE: this is a bipartisan bill that was reported out of our committee unanimously last month, and I would ask everyone to support the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Page H1921] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. LAWLER: today, I rise to recognize one of America's greatest allies, the State of Israel. Tomorrow, Israel will celebrate its 75th anniversary. As a Representative of New York's 17th Congressional District, which is home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the country, I stand here with a deep sense of pride and honor for all that Israel has accomplished. Israel is a beacon of freedom, liberty, and hope, and its success is testament to the resilience of its citizens. For 75 years, the State of Israel has stood strong, overcoming countless challenges and emerging as a leader in technology, science, and diplomacy. As a staunch supporter of Israel, I am proud to stand with this great nation and its people. I have seen firsthand the impact that Israel has had on the world, from its many contributions to medical research to its efforts to promote peace in the Middle East. Israel's story is one of courage, determination, and hope. I look forward to joining Speaker McCarthy in Israel as we celebrate the momentous occasion of their 75th anniversary later this week.  Let us never forget that Israel's strength lies in its people, a people who have overcome adversity time and time again.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Page H1921] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Mrs. LESKO: I rise to discuss an issue that has impacted far too many women across the United States, triple-negative breast cancer, or TNBC. One in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In Arizona, there will be approximately 6,240 new breast cancer-related cases just this year. TNBC is an invasive breast cancer that accounts for 10 to 15 percent of all breast cancers. Unfortunately, TNBC tends to grow and spread faster than any other cancer, has fewer treatment options, and tends to have a worse prognosis. Researchers at the University of Arizona have been working to create a less toxic treatment for TNBC, and a new study has provided clues about potential new approaches to treatment. This is good news in the fight against cancer, but we must continue to invest in research and innovation to combat TNBC and protect women.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Page H1921] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. COLLINS: I rise today to call for Secretary Pete Buttigieg to resign for failing to do his job. He has taken the Department of Transportation from efficient and effective to woke and divisive. Instead of keeping Americans safe, tackling supply chain challenges, and modernizing transportation systems, he is flying all over the country on private jets to talk about race and gender. Looks to me like he is campaigning for President on the taxpayers' dime. I know it sounds like I am being hard on the Secretary, but I do have some questions. He recently asked Congress for $20 million to buy female dummies to use in safety tests. How many total genders is he going to request for? We are already funding two dummies. Now, he is asking for a third. What is the total going to be? Forty? Fifty? This is a slippery slope. Secretary Pete needs to resign so someone else can take the wheel at the DOT. America needs fewer dummies, not more.