mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
COMMENDING THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2018-7-13

. Madam , I want to commend our United States Department of Justice for reopening the Emmet Till murder case. prgtoken Emmet Till was a young man who was brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955. The case that was brought to trial in Mississippi charged two White men who were identified by a Black one, one of Mr. Till's 14- year-old relatives. The all-White jury found them not guilty. Both men, looking back afterwards, said they did it, and nothing happened. prgtoken There have been lots of investigations about this, lots of reports, and the Justice Department has seized some ``new evidence'' to reopen the case. I commend our Justice Department. prgtoken While justice delayed is justice denied, justice, whenever it can be found in these civil rights cases, is appropriate and proper. prgtoken I thank the Department of Justice.
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF CATHOLIC BISHOP RICHARD GARCIA
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-7-13

. Madam , I recognize today the life of Catholic Bishop Richard Garcia who recently passed at the age of 71. Although his loss was after a very short battle with Alzheimer's, Bishop Garcia lived a long life filled with God and God's children. prgtoken His parents were immigrants from Mexico who wanted to give their children a better life. That American Dream was fulfilled when Bishop Garcia became a priest in 1973, and, fortunately for me and my constituents, in 2006 he was then named the bishop for the Monterey Diocese. prgtoken When Bishop Garcia would see you, he would grab you, he would hug you, and he wouldn't look through you, but he would look at you. It was at that point that you would feel his love and his divine spirit for every man. prgtoken Bishop Garcia welcomed everyone who entered his church, but also those who entered this country. He didn't care just about people, but also the future of this planet. prgtoken A quote by another eminent priest from the central coast of California, Saint Junipero Serra, was: ``Always to go forward and never to turn back.'' prgtoken As we look back on the life of Richard Garcia, we know that his spirit, his love, and his guidance provides us with the divinity to always go forward.
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF RANDY WILSON
Tom O’Halleran (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2018-7-13

. Madam , I rise today to honor Randy Wilson, the managing editor of the Arizona Daily Sun, who passed away unexpectedly last week. prgtoken Randy's love for his job was evident, and he was a shining example of journalistic integrity and fairness. His life went far beyond producing a fine newspaper that serves thousands of Arizonans. He was also fully committed to giving back to his community. prgtoken In addition to leading the annual New Year's Day Polar Plunge and the Flagstaff Four on the Fourth race, he was active in his church, explored northern Arizona's trails and parks, and played a major role in the Daily Sun's citizen and organization of the year initiatives. prgtoken Randy's legacy will live on, thanks to his enduring commitment to his community, his State, and his paper. My heart goes out to his wife, Lindsay; his daughter, Caroline; his fellow journalists; and his loved ones.
UNFUNDED MANDATES INFORMATION AND TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2017
Jamie Raskin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2018-7-13

I rise in support of my amendment, which is offered in conjunction with the primary sponsor of H.R. 50, Representative Virginia Foxx, who I know has worked very hard on this legislation. I am glad that Ms. Foxx has embraced the amendment because it does improve the legislation. prgtoken The amendment would require the website post within 5 days of any consultations that an agency has with non-Federal parties during the development of regulatory proposals containing a significant Federal unfunded mandate, as well as the website posting of any comments submitted by non-Federal parties on such proposals within 5 days of their submission. prgtoken I am delighted that we have converged around this question of transparency in the regulatory process. Public rules should serve the public, so the public should know what the ingredients are, what the discussions are that are going into the preparation and the development of public regulations. prgtoken This is a consensus amendment, which is all about sunlight and scrutiny. prgtoken The idea of agency interaction with interested parties on Federal mandates is a good one. In this case, I only wish that the bill required far broader and more inclusive consultation. prgtoken As it stands in the legislation, early consultation is only required with affected ``parties within the private sector including small businesses'' and ``State, local, and Tribal governments,'' which are already covered under the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act. prgtoken The bill still operates in a slanted way. It does not require early consultations with representatives of other affected parties, like veterans, farmers, law enforcement officers, community associations, religious groups, and so on. prgtoken I have told the sponsor that I think it is a mistake to keep it this narrow, and I only wish the Rules Committee had, in its wisdom, accepted my second amendment so we could address that shortcoming. But having said that, I appreciate the strong incorporation of the language on transparency and disclosure, and I wish that, at least in the future, that we can be more flexible about placing all affected regulatory parties on the same plane. prgtoken I thank Representative Foxx for her support on this amendment, and I ask that all of my colleagues support it. prgtoken , I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).
UNFUNDED MANDATES INFORMATION AND TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2017
Joyce Beatty (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-7-13

this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage as amended. prgtoken , I want to echo all the concerns that my colleagues have expressed with the underlying bill here today. This bill would add unnecessary obstacles to inhibit the ability of the Federal Government to protect the health, the safety, and the security of the American people. prgtoken I understand that and s have traditionally disagreed on the values of those protections, even though the public overwhelmingly supports them, whether it is keeping our air and our water clean, guarding workers against exploitation, or so many other things. But I would hope that one area where we can agree on is that this Congress, this government, should do everything possible to protect the safety of our children and those most vulnerable without adding unnecessary burdens like those mandated in this bill. prgtoken Let me connect the dots for the public to know. As it stands, Mr this bill would just add more hoops for Federal agencies to jump through and, actually, would make them less responsive to addressing problems like sexual assault and domestic violence. prgtoken The amendment contained in this motion would fix this problem by exempting from the bill's additional requirements any agency action that is meant to, and I want to be real clear: prgtoken One, protect students and children from someone who has been convicted of a sexual offense against a minor. We have far too many cases before us. prgtoken Two, prevent domestic violence against a family member or an intimate partner I have counseled far too many women who have been abused. prgtoken Three, prevent rape or sexual assault. prgtoken Four, require criminal backgrounds checks for school or other employees. prgtoken Since the last time this Chamber considered this bill, we have seen a reckoning in this country when it comes to sexual assault, with the rise of the Me Too movement, millions of women, or a half million women right here in Washington, D.C on our Capitol Grounds marching. This issue is in the forefront of national discussion, and for good reasons, . prgtoken No aspect of our society, including this very Congress, has been immune. prgtoken As the dialog on this issue continues, we should not hamstring Federal efforts to address what is so clearly a systemic problem in this country. prgtoken This amendment would also cover the issue of human trafficking. I am very proud of my bipartisan work that I have done on trafficking, and some of my most stalwart partners on this issue come from the other side of the aisle. I would hope that they, too, would recognize that we need the ability to institute the strongest possible protections. prgtoken Earlier this year, , the House overwhelmingly passed a new law that has had an immediate impact on stemming online traf
UNFUNDED MANDATES INFORMATION AND TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2017
Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-7-13

I thank the gentlemen from Virginia for yielding to me and for his leadership on this issue. prgtoken , I rise today in opposition of H.R. 50, the misleadingly named Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act, which passed out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on a strictly partisan vote. prgtoken This dangerous bill is an attempt to weaken consumer protections, give private industry an unfair advantage, and erect unnecessary barriers to the regulatory process. Ultimately, this bill is designed to prioritize the interests of private businesses over the interests of the consumers these rules are designed to protect. prgtoken H.R. 50 also slows the regulatory process by using litigation today to delay the approval of rules. The existing Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 prohibits courts from using the law to stay, enjoin, invalidate, or otherwise affect an agency rule. H.R. 50 would fundamentally change that law by eliminating this prohibition, giving regulated businesses the ability to abuse a gratuitously expanded judicial review and tie up rules that would otherwise protect real people in courts for years. prgtoken While it has been very popular in this Congress to attack regulations as uniformly bad, the reality is that many of these rules are crucial to protecting our air and water, preventing dangerous financial practices, and ensuring the safety of food and drugs--to put it more simply, to protect Americans from corporations whose only motivation is to maximize their profit. Enacting this legislation would put these vital rules at risk. prgtoken H.R. 50 is a very harmful bill. I want to urge all of my colleagues to vote against it on the House floor today.
INTRODUCTION OF THE PROMOTING NATIONAL SERVICE AND REDUCING UNEMPLOYMENT ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2018-7-13

I rise today to introduce the Promoting National Service and Reducing Unemployment Act to address one ofthe greatest workforce tragedies resulting from today's economy--our unemployed young people--to spur economic growth and to alleviate strain on state and local governments. This tragedy is not only harming our young people, but it is also costing our government billions of dollars each year through lost tax revenue and other costs. Unemployment has reached a relative low of 3.8 percent, but my bill targets the almost two million young people who have not had a fair chance to ever use their high school and college education, which this nation has strongly urged them to obtain. prgtoken What is particularly disappointing is the high unemployment rate for young people who heeded our advice to graduate from high school and college. The total unemployment rate is currently 9.1 percent for young adults ages 18 to 24, and hundreds of thousands now compete for unpaid internships wherever they can find them. By significantly expanding AmeriCorps, my bill would need no new administrative structure or bureaucracy and would allow unemployed young people to earn a stipend, obtain work experience and develop a good work history to help them secure future employment. The net cost of the expansion would be low because these young people would be providing urgently needed local services that are being eliminated or curtailed because of state and local budget cuts, such as after-school programs, tutoring and assistance for the elderly. prgtoken The bill would significantly expand job opportunities for young people who have done everything possible to enter fully into the job market, but, despite their best efforts, remain unemployed in this economy. Participants receive a living allowance and are also eligible for an education award equal to the value of a Pell grant, school-loan forbearance, health care benefits and child care assistance. By expanding the AmeriCorps program, we would reduce the number of unemployed young people, provide them with work skills and experience and help cash-strapped state and local governments provide services that they would otherwise have to cut. prgtoken For some time, it has been clear that policies to address the most stubborn forms of unemployment need to be targeted in order to be effective. Without significant targeting, young graduates will continue to face their first years as adults without jobs and with no way to acquire necessary work experience. They deserve better. I ask my colleagues to support this urgently needed, targeted assistance for young, unemployed Americans.
HONORING THE LIFE OF BRENNAN STEWART
Ruben J. Kihuen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2018-7-13

. Madam , today, I rise to remember the life of Brennan Stewart. prgtoken Brennan attended the Route 91 festival in Las Vegas on October 1. He was an aspiring country musician who loved to sing while he played his guitar. He enjoyed hunting; taking trips to his family's cabin in Moab, Utah; and watching his favorite teams, the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco 49ers. He loved riding dirt bikes and is remembered as being the life of the party. prgtoken Brennan would always put others before himself. He died at the Route 91 festival while he was shielding his girlfriend from gunfire and helping others to safety. He is also remembered as a man who could give anyone the shirt off his back and for being a genuine man. prgtoken I would like to extend my condolences to Brennan Stewart's family and friends. Please know that the city of Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and the whole country grieve with you.
UNFUNDED MANDATES INFORMATION AND TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2017
Henry Cuellar (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-7-13

. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time to me, and I thank our ranking member, again, for trying to work together. prgtoken Again, I respectfully support H.R. 50, the Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2017. This is an issue that I have been working on since the 1990s in the State legislature. In fact, I was the author of house bill 66 when the controlled the Governorship, the House, the Senate, and the State legislature. I was able to pass the first unfunded mandates bill in the State of Texas. prgtoken This particular issue in Congress started in 1995 under the Clinton administration. Again, with a Congress working together, the Congress passed the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act in 1995. prgtoken This legislation was designed to prevent the Federal Government from imposing unfunded mandates on States and local governments, or private businesses, without policymakers or the public knowing the cost of such policies. prgtoken This legislation ensured public awareness of the financial burden of Federal mandates on small-business owners and on State and local governments. However, this unfunded mandates bill has not been amended since 1995, and some of those changes are necessary to preserve and improve the act's initial purpose. prgtoken This bill closes some of the loopholes by removing independent agency reporting exemptions, setting forth detailed assessment criteria, and allowing judicial review of agency assessments. prgtoken My district has a number of rural and underserved communities that need many resources. Imposing unfunded mandates on these kinds of communities makes life even more difficult for hardworking Americans to access basic needs, such as water infrastructure, sanitary water, and adequate living conditions. prgtoken Additionally, this bill requires that Federal agencies consult with the private sector when issuing regulations. What is wrong with consultation? Again, it allows recourse for companies, if agencies do not comply. prgtoken As a former small-business owner, I know the challenges of opening a business; the challenges of keeping a business open, including finding the resources and funds to get started; and how to keep a business running, especially on a tight budget. prgtoken Higher costs for these entrepreneurs make it more difficult for them to start and maintain a business, which means blunted economic growth for communities that need it the most, like the ones I represent in south Texas. prgtoken This bill restores and provides a framework to provide clarity to small business and local governments, and allows workers and entrepreneurs to freely pursue their dreams. prgtoken The bottom line is this: This bill will create more certainty for our Nation's businesses, including the small-business owners and the entrepreneurs who invest in the future, and allow more Americans to achieve the dream of business ownership. prgtoken I encourage my
HONORING HENRY WHEELER ON HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY
Theodore E. Deutch (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-7-13

. Madam , I rise today to recognize my constituent, Mr. Henry Wheeler, who will be celebrating his 100th birthday on Sunday. prgtoken Henry was born and grew up in Buffalo, New York, in the midst of the Great Depression. He met and married his wife, Betty, just before leaving to serve his country in World War II. prgtoken During the war, Henry served as an intelligence specialist in a number of major campaigns in Europe. In one instance, he was captured and held captive by the Germans as he gave blood to a fellow officer. He was released after the Allies' victory in the Battle of the Bulge. As the Nazis surrendered, Henry was part of cleanup operations at Buchenwald, seeing firsthand the evidence of the Holocaust. For his service, he was awarded both the Bronze Star and the European-African- Middle Eastern Service Medal. prgtoken After the war, Henry returned home and cofounded Service Systems Corporation, which became a conglomerate of specialized service companies, employing approximately 5,000 people nationwide. prgtoken In 1967, he moved to Fort Lauderdale with Betty and their five sons. prgtoken He has always paid his success forward, making substantial charitable contributions to various causes. But in a testament to his character, he always made those donations anonymously. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Henry Wheeler and thanking him for his contributions to our country and south Florida. prgtoken Happy birthday, Henry.
HONORING LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT CAPTAIN DAVID ROSA
Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-7-13

I rise today in honor of Long Beach Fire Department Captain David Rosa, who was killed July 2 after suffering a gunshot wound while responding to a fire at a senior living facility. prgtoken Captain Rosa was a 17-year veteran of the Long Beach Fire Department assigned to station 10 in the heart of the city of Long Beach, California. During his tenure, David faithfully served the city of Long Beach and its surrounding communities, working as a paramedic and trainer. prgtoken Last week, I attended his memorial service and saw an outpouring of love. He was a beloved member of our community and admired by his family and his firefighter family. prgtoken I extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to the Long Beach Fire Department, station 10, and Captain Rosa's friends and family, especially his wife and two sons.
ORANGE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM--NATIONAL MEDAL FOR MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICE
Darren Soto (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-7-13

. Madam , on behalf of our central Florida community, I am proud to recognize the Orange County Library System for being the recipient of the Nation's 2018 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. prgtoken The Orange County Library System was selected from 29 national finalists to receive this prestigious medal. This is the highest honor given to libraries that make exceptional contributions to their communities through dynamic programming and services. It is a tremendous win for our community. prgtoken Orange County Library is bringing positive change to central Florida, and they are specifically being recognized for their work providing access to STEM education for children living in underserved communities, providing ESOL classes for adults and families, and their commitment to providing access to high-quality educational tools for children in Orange County's public school system. prgtoken I would like to recognize Mary Anne Hodel, Orange County Library System Library director and CEO, and Lisa Franchina, president of the library board of trustees, for their leadership and inspirational work; Erin Sullivan, Orange County Library System's public relations administrator, for taking the initiative of recognizing the great work of OCLS; and all the dedicated staff and volunteers of the library for their work in helping residents of central Florida to foster personal growth and development.
UNFUNDED MANDATES INFORMATION AND TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2017
Wm. Lacy Clay (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2018-7-13

let me thank my colleague from Virginia for yielding as well as for his leadership on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. prgtoken , I rise today to once again strongly oppose H.R. 50. I consider it a misguided bill that will cost American consumers, potentially, millions more in tax dollars, while making it easier for bad actors and certain industries to continue their abusive practices as they attempt to stonewall appropriate regulation. prgtoken Make no mistake: H.R. 50 is a frontal assault on the Nation's health, safety, and environmental protections, and it would erect new barriers to give selected industries a built-in advantage to evade or eliminate vital rules that protect the American people. prgtoken For instance, this bill would require agencies to consult with private sector entities ``as early as possible, before issuance of a notice of proposed rulemaking, continue through the final rule stage, and be integrated explicitly into the rulemaking process.'' prgtoken Now, I agree that Federal agencies should consult with regulated industries regarding proposed rules, but they should not receive an insider, prewired advantage in the regulating and rulemaking process over other stakeholders. prgtoken H.R. 50 would also expand judicial review under UMRA and would allow a court to review the inadequacy or failure of an agency to prepare a written statement under UMRA. UMRA currently prohibits courts from using the law to stay, invalidate, or otherwise affect an agency rule. H.R. 50 would eliminate this prohibition. prgtoken I thought the majority strongly opposed judicial activism, but perhaps that only applies to protecting the President. prgtoken We don't have to choose between protecting the health, welfare, and safety of Americans and promoting economic growth, job creation, and innovation. We can do both. H.R. 50 advances neither of these worthy goals, and that is why I urge my colleagues to reject this deeply flawed act that will stack the deck against the American consumer.