mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT--Continued
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-11-29

I rise in strong support of H.R. 8404, the Respect prgtoken for Marriage Act. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of the Senate companion version of this measure, S. 4556, which has been introduced by Senator Feinstein. prgtoken The House passed this legislation by a bipartisan vote of 267 to 157 in July 2022, and the Senate is now poised to pass this legislation with a strong bipartisan vote as well. prgtoken In 2010, Maryland began to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages that were legally performed in other States. And in 2012, Governor Martin O'Malley signed a law guaranteeing Marylanders the freedom to marry regardless of their gender, which was later upheld and confirmed by the voters of Maryland in a statewide referendum. prgtoken In 2015, the Supreme Court held in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges that the Constitution protected the right of same-sex couples to marry and therefore granting this right nationwide. Let me quote just a few passages from this historic decision, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy more than seven years ago: ``Especially against a long history of disapproval of their relationships, this denial to same-sex couples of the right to marry works a grave and continuing harm. The imposition of this disability on gays and lesbians serves to disrespect and subordinate them. And the Equal Protection Clause, like the Due Process Clause, prohibits this unjustified infringement of the fundamental right to marry.'' prgtoken Justice Kennedy concluded in part that: ``No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.'' prgtoken So why are we here today, if Obergefell is still the law of the land? We are here because the Supreme Court of the United States decided to strip away a woman's fundamental reproductive rights this summer. The Court overturned its Roe v. Wade decision--and a half century of associated precedents--in its radical Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision. prgtoken In that decision, Justice Thomas wrote a concurrence which warned that the Court should ``reconsider, [in future cases], all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell.'' These decisions protected the right to access contraception, the right to have same-sex rela
NEAL KENNETH TODD POST OFFICE
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-11-29

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in support of H.R. 4899 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10 Broadway Street West, in Akeley, Minnesota, as the Neal Kenneth Todd Post Office. prgtoken Mr. Neal Kenneth Todd was born in Akeley, Minnesota. After graduating from high school in 1938, he joined seven of his brothers in the U.S. military. prgtoken At the age of 22, he was assigned to the USS Oklahoma as a Navy fireman first class. On December 7, 1941, while stationed at Pearl Harbor, the ship was attacked by the Japanese air force. prgtoken Mr. Todd was serving with his brother, Wesley, who was able to escape the ship. Unfortunately, months later, Neal Todd was pronounced dead and awarded the Purple Heart. He is honored at the USS Oklahoma Memorial and Honolulu Memorial of the Courts of the Missing. prgtoken On February 11, 2021, Mr. Todd's remains were successfully matched, and he was reunited with his brother in Akeley, Minnesota. prgtoken I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Todd and his service to our country by naming a Post Office in Akeley, Minnesota, after him. prgtoken Madam , .
TRIBUTE TO LAVEL NORMAN DAVIS, JR.
James E. Clyburn (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2022-11-29

. Madam , I rise today to pay tribute to a brilliant student and gifted athlete. Lavel Norman Davis, Jr affectionately known as Tyler, was called too soon to his heavenly home on November 13, 2022, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Although he is no longer with us, memory of his unbreakable spirit will remain a beacon for all who knew him. prgtoken Tyler Davis was born on January 7, 2002, in Ridgeville, South Carolina to Thaddeus Lavel prgtoken Davis and Fallom Simone Davis. Tyler attended Harleyville-Ridgeville Elementary, Clay Hill Elementary, Harleyville-Ridgeville Middle School and Woodland High School in Dorchester, South Carolina. Throughout his primary education, Tyler established his excellence both on and off the field. He maintained a 3.577 GPA, A-B Honor Roll status, and concurrently earned certification as a Nursing Assistant through the Dorchester County Career School. Tyler was also a dedicated multi-sport athlete, playing football, soccer, basketball, and running track. Tyler graduated from Woodland in June of 2020. prgtoken After receiving several football scholarship offers, Tyler selected the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in order to benefit from both their rigorous academic and athletic programs. He immediately rose to the occasion and would finish his freshman season ranked second in the nation and first in the ACC for wide receivers. Even after suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for his sophomore season, he remained a force of inspiration and motivation to his teammates. He was anticipated to graduate in December of 2023 with a bachelor's degree in African American Studies, after which he aspired to play football professionally and give back to the community by opening a local Boys and Girls Club. prgtoken As a giant on the field, Tyler was recognized with several athletic honors. After just his first game with the Cavaliers, he was named the ACC's ``Receiver of the Week.'' Tyler was an All-American and became two-time ``Rookie of the Year.'' His persistent leadership throughout his athletic injury in 2021 earned him the 2022-2023 Danny Lee Fassio Family Bicentennial Scholarship. He was also nominated by the College Sports Communicators, the Associated Press, and the Fiesta Bowl Organization to the ``Come Back Player of the Year'' Watch List for the 2022 season, as he was projected to thrive in his return from his injury. His high school jersey, #13, was also retired in his honor. prgtoken Tyler was an active member of several social organizations. In high school, he was a proud member of the National Technical Honor Society and the Athletics Leading in Literacy (ALL) Program. He used his Nursing Assistant certification to volunteer with the elderly in his community. In college, Tyler was a participant of the UVA Football Thursday's Heroes Program, which supports local residents who are facing medical challenges. He was also an exemplary member of the ``Groundskeepers,'
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2022
Brian Schatz (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2022-11-29

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it recess until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 30, and that following the prayer and the pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Velez-Rive nomination; further, if any nominations are confirmed during Wednesday's session, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.
TRIBUTE TO GREG GERRITT
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-11-29

I rise today to honor an important advocate for environmental preservation and addressing climate change, Greg Gerritt. Mr. Gerritt has worked for the past 20 years for the Environmental Council of Rhode Island, retiring in January of this year. He served as the coordinator for the Compost Initiative, which earned a 2012 EPA Region 1 Merit Award, and founded the Rhode Island Compost Conference. Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded him an Environmental Merit for Lifetime Achievement. prgtoken Mr. Gerritt grew up in New York City before earning a bachelor's degree in anthropology from University of Maine. He organized his high school's first Earth Day and has since continuously engaged across communities to support a sustainable green economy in Rhode Island. He founded and served on the board of the Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island, began the Buy Nothing Day Winter Coat Exchange, which has occurred on the day after Thanksgiving for over 20 years, and ran for mayor of Providence as a Green Party candidate. Mr. Gerritt also founded and is the watershed steward for Friends of the Moshassuck, an organization dedicated to preservation, restoration, and revitalization of the Moshassuck River. He created a wetland habitat by restoring a small stormwater drain in the North Burial Ground in Providence and, for over a decade, has produced about 1,500 videos documenting wildlife in this urban landscape and at locations around the Seekonk River. prgtoken I am pleased to recognize Mr. Gerritt's accomplishments in environmental advocacy, justice, and preservation of natural resources and extend my appreciation for his work for our State and environment.
RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT--Continued
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2022-11-29

. Senator Lankford's amendment would eliminate the only practical recourse for same-sex and interracial couples to protect their marriages under the Respect for Marriage Act. It would create an exemption far beyond current law for partnerships between government and faith-based organizations, the latter of which continue to enjoy robust religious liberty and conscience protections that remain intact under the Respect for Marriage Act. prgtoken This amendment would upend a carefully negotiated, bipartisan compromise that protects the interests of religious organizations and individuals while affording the dignity of marriage recognition to same-sex and interracial couples. I urge my colleagues to vote no. prgtoken . Vote on Amendment No. 6496
SAFEGUARD TRIBAL OBJECTS OF PATRIMONY ACT OF 2021
Martin Heinrich (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2022-11-29

I rise today to ask the Senate to send H.R. 2930, the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act, to the President's desk for his signature. prgtoken The need for this legislation is pretty straightforward. prgtoken In 2016, the Governor of the Pueblo of Acoma learned that a sacred ceremonial shield had been stolen and was about to be sold to the highest bidder in Paris. When Governor Riley informed me about this robbery of the Pueblo's cultural patrimony, I called on the State Department to take all possible action to halt the auction. Thankfully, intense public outcry and diplomatic pressure were enough to halt the illegal sale of a Tribe's cultural patrimony. prgtoken Finally, in November 2019, more than 3 years after the shield was put on the auction block, it was voluntarily returned to the Pueblo. However, this only happened because of intense public outcry and notoriety. In most cases like this, the item has been sold or simply disappears into a private collection. prgtoken Under current Federal law, it is a crime to sell certain protected Native American cultural objects, things like the Acoma shield, here in the United States. But there is still no Federal law prohibiting the export of stolen cultural items and requiring the cooperation of foreign governments in recovering them. prgtoken In many cases, Tribes in New Mexico and across our Nation have been forced to effectively pay a ransom to recover their sacred items or had to stand by and watch the sale of their priceless religious and cultural items in international markets. prgtoken The lack of an explicit ban on trafficking these items to foreign countries was actually cited by the French Government when they initially declined to stop the auction of the Acoma shield. prgtoken Grave robbing is illegal in every single State in the United States, and yet we allow Tribal religious objects, many of which were stolen literally from grave sites, to be exported and sold in foreign auction houses. We cannot let this loophole that allows foreign trade in Native religious heritage to go on for even one more day, and I would urge my colleagues to pass this bill today and end this awful practice. prgtoken , as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 2930, which was received from the House and is at the desk; further, that the bill be considered read a third time and passed, and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT--Continued
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-11-29

. Now, , for millions of Americans, today is a very good day, an important day, a day that has been a long time in coming. The Senate is passing the Respect for Marriage Act. prgtoken Today, the long but inexorable march toward greater equality advances forward. By passing this bill, the Senate is sending a message that every American needs to hear: No matter who you are or whom you love, you, too, deserve dignity and equal treatment under the law. prgtoken As the Chamber knows, this is personal to me, and the first people I will call when this bill passes will be my daughter and her wife. prgtoken I want to thank my colleagues, joining the others, for making this legislation possible--and especially the teams of Senators Baldwin and Sinema and Collins, Tillis, and Portman. To all of you, I say: Bravo, a job well done. And to all who make the choice to support this bill, thank you. None of this was inevitable. prgtoken At the urging of my colleagues, we took the calculated risk of holding off on a vote back in September because they believed, with more time, we could build enough bipartisan support to push this bill over the finish line. Today, we have vindication that the wait was well worth it. s for their work. prgtoken Above all, I want to thank the American people, the vast majority of whom understand deep in their hearts that the inexorable march toward equality is what America is all about. prgtoken . prgtoken .
UYGHUR POLICY ACT OF 2021
Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-11-29

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and for her management of this very important legislation as a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. prgtoken It is my honor to stand on this floor today in support of the Uyghur Policy Act and to join my colleague, Mr. Smith. For decades, Mr. Smith and I--as well as Frank Wolf and so many others--have been working together for human rights throughout the world. I thank him for his leadership and his remarks on this important legislation. Again, a strong step in our continued work to counter the genocide of the Uyghur people. prgtoken In Xinjiang and across China, millions of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities are enduring outrageous and barbaric abuses, from mass surveillance and discriminatory policing to mass incarceration in forced labor camps to mass torture, including solitary confinement and sterilization. prgtoken In its latest Human Rights Report, our own State Department has unequivocally declared that the Chinese prgtoken Communist Party's persecution of the Uyghurs amounts to genocide and crimes against humanity. prgtoken It is often said that one of the most sinister and cruel forms of torture employed by authoritarian regimes is to tell the oppressed: ``Nobody even remembers you.'' They don't even know what the fuss is about. prgtoken This Congress remains bipartisan, bicameral, unbreakable in our commitment to shining a bright light on the persecution of the Uyghurs. prgtoken With this legislation, we send a powerful signal to the Uyghur people: America sees you; we stand with you; and we are fighting for you. prgtoken And we send a resounding message to Beijing: This genocide must end now. prgtoken My remarks go on to talk about the Uyghur Policy Act and what it does, in addition to what we passed in 2020, the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act; in 2021, the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act. It includes the establishment of a Special Coordinator at State to spearhead the effort, which will ensure a laser focus on the brutal conditions facing the Uyghurs. prgtoken For decades, the Chinese Communist Party has waged a campaign of cruelty, terror, and repression, from cracking down on the culture, religion, and language of Tibet, intimidating the people of Taiwan, to restricting basic freedoms in Hong Kong, to jailing journalists and dissidents; and more. prgtoken We support and salute the courageous citizens across mainland China who are in the streets today speaking out for their freedom. prgtoken I join freedom-loving people around the world supporting the Chinese people for exercising this Fundamental right to make their voices heard. prgtoken Yet let us not forget how the government of China has often responded to these demonstrations with a heavy hand: whether in Tiananmen in 1989 or more recently against those marching for their rights in Hong Kong. prgtoken The past must not be precendent for Beijing's response to this wave of peaceful protests. prgtoken A
RECOGNIZING GERMAIN HARNDEN'S REMARKABLE CAREER
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-11-29

. Madam , I rise today to honor Germain Harnden and her remarkable 42-year career. prgtoken Germain has dedicated her career to safety, health training, education, and advocacy for workers. For the last decade, she has served as the executive director of WNYCOSH. prgtoken Before beginning her career at WNYCOSH, Germain studied at the University of Buffalo. She worked as an editor of the Humanist Magazine at the Center of Inquiry, and she would go onto enroll in the Cornell Cooperative Extension Labor Studies program, where she took several courses on collective bargaining, labor history, and mediation. Germain worked as a certified mediator and volunteered in numerous community mediation cases. prgtoken In 1978 and 1979, Germain participated with Cornell Extension staff and other labor activists in the formation of what would become the WNY Council on Occupational Safety & Health. She helped organize the first kick-off event of WNYCOSH at a winter safety and health conference, which drew over 300 labor union participants. Germain took an official staff position at WNYCOSH in 1979 and was instrumental in creating safety and health training under OSHA's New Direction grant program. prgtoken In 1980, she also worked on advocating for the Right-to-Know legislation, which would become the nation's first law in the country to require employers to provide workers with information on the chemicals they were working with and protective measures to reduce or eliminate hazardous exposures. Throughout the 1980s, Germain organized safety workshops and seminars. prgtoken Germain served as WNYCOSH Program Director from 1986 until 2012. Germain wrote all WNYCOSH grants, including the annual contributions, and organized worker training which regularly draws 6,000 participants each year. Her work as Executive Director allowed WNYCOSH to continue its significant presence in the Buffalo area. prgtoken Germain's career was focused on bettering the lives of workers in our community, and I will always be grateful to her for those efforts. On behalf of countless workers, I sincerely thank Germain Harnden for being a dedicated community leader, advocate, and vital player in Western New York for over four decades.
TRIBUTE TO LAUREN CAULFIELD AND RONDA CHRYSTAL
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2022-11-29

I am honored to recognize Lauren Caulfield and Ronda Chrystal of Brookline as November's Granite Staters of the Month. The pair founded Pink Revolution in order to support cancer patients with chemo care packages and financial support. prgtoken When Lauren was being treated for breast cancer, she noticed that not every patient had the same level of support that she did during this difficult time. Some were arriving to chemotherapy sessions alone or had to skip sessions because they couldn't afford it. After her recovery, Lauren decided she wanted to take action, and alongside her longtime friend Ronda, she founded Pink Revolution Breast Cancer Alliance of NH to support patients with all types of cancer. prgtoken Lauren and Ronda started by reaching out to friends and family touched by cancer and ultimately built a network of volunteers to put together 1,500 chemo care packages a year to deliver to 25 oncology centers in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. The care packages contain essential items such as blankets, tissues, and lip balm, as well as some items with personal touches, such as hats knitted by residents at nursing homes. In addition, the nonprofit fundraises to provide chemo patients--some of whom struggle with costs during their treatment--with gas and grocery cards. prgtoken After undergoing chemotherapy, Lauren decided to find the silver lining in her experience by helping others. With their hard work over the past 4 years, Lauren and Ronda have made a true difference in many Granite Staters' lives as they face serious medical hardship. Lauren and Ronda's work leading Pink Revolution exemplifies the Granite State spirit of generosity, and I commend them and their large network of volunteers.
MARK O'BRIEN VA CLOTHING ALLOWANCE IMPROVEMENT ACT
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-11-29

I rise in support of H.R. 4772, the Mark O'Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act. prgtoken This legislation would amend the VA's existing clothing allowance program by enabling automatic payments to continue being made to eligible veterans on a recurring basis until the veteran opts out of the program or is no longer eligible. prgtoken The bill will make it easier for veterans--especially veterans living with lifelong disabilities--to receive their earned clothing benefits which enables them to live with the dignity and comfort that they earned and so rightfully deserve. prgtoken Millions of veterans will live the rest of their lives with disabilities due to service-incurred injuries and physical impairments that resulted after they made the decision to protect our nation and safeguard our freedom. prgtoken Our courageous servicemembers have pledged that, on the battlefield, they will leave no soldier behind. In carrying out this sacred obligation, many have suffered life-altering injuries, including loss of limbs. prgtoken These injuries often result in loss of mobility or the need for a prosthetic which require specialized clothing and cause accelerated deterioration of standard garments. prgtoken In full appreciation of their devotion and the consequences they suffered from it, as a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind. prgtoken H.R. 4772, the Mark O'Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act will alleviate these veterans' burden of needing to reapply for clothing benefits every year for our 1.9 million veterans with a service-connected disability. prgtoken I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 4772, the Mark O'Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act. prgtoken Veterans have kept their promise to serve our nation; they have willingly risked their lives to protect the country we all love. We must now ensure that we keep our promises to our veterans. prgtoken Let us resolve together that we will provide returning veterans with the welcome, services, care, and compassion that they deserve.